Travel Series Heads Off To Peru And Ireland

By Jan Howard

Peru and Ireland will be the countries visited when the Armchair Travel Series sponsored by the C.H. Booth Library continues in March.

The series for globetrotting adventurers and those who dream about traveling will continue March 1 and 8, at 7:30 pm in the library’s community room, with presentations by residents Wendy Leon-Gambetta and Ian McMahon.

On March 1, Ms Leon-Gambetta will offer a view of Peru through the eyes of a former resident and frequent visitor. Her focus, she said, will be on general information and the lifestyle there.

Ms Leon-Gambetta lived in Peru for four years with her husband, Ernesto, who was born and raised there. She will offer a number of reasons to visit the Land of the Incas.

Her presentation will include a video about Peru and highlights of her experience of living there. She will also offer tips on traveling to Peru, garnered from family members’ experiences.

Visitors to Peru should “come with an open mind,” she said.

“Peru is a third world country,” she said. “You have to have an adventurous spirit if you go there. You will not necessarily have luxurious accommodations, unless you are in Lima, which has lovely hotels and nice places to stay.”

The most interesting places in Peru are in small towns and villages, she said, where personal comforts might have to be sacrificed.

 Ms Leon-Gambetta will also speak about the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes, which she describes as an “extraordinary place.”

“Anyone with an opportunity to visit Peru should not miss Machu Picchu,” she said.

Iquitos, located in the jungle, is also a popular tourist attraction, Ms Leon-Gambetta said. At Iquitos tourists can walk the jungle canopies, 120 feet above the jungle floor.

Ms Leon-Gambetta described an event that takes place in Lima, a pina, which features the cultural dances and music characteristic of different areas of Peru.

“That’s always a fun thing to do,” she said. “Peruvians attend, too, and a lot of songs are those they know so they sing along. It’s a very happy environment, with lots of food and excitement. It gives you a little taste of the country.”

Then there is the food. “Every American who has visited Peru is so impressed by the food,” Ms Leon-Gambetta said. “They have fresh seafood that is just wonderful, and the spices that are used in the food are very delicious.

“There are wonderful Indian markets in Lima,” she said, where beautiful ceramics, jewelry, and woolen items are sold.

Mr McMahon, who was born and raised in Limerick, Ireland, still has family members in Ireland. He visits almost every year.

 Mr McMahon said it is difficult for him to choose a favorite place in Ireland because there are so many different places. “I like Dublin. If I lived there, I would live in Dublin. It’s a cosmopolitan, modern city, one of the destinations travelers from Europe travel to for weekend trips. It has a small-town feeling.”

He said all of Ireland is pretty. “I like the whole country,” he noted.

In his presentation, Mr McMahon will feature the western counties of Ireland and Dublin. He will talk about Ireland’s history and political structure and show slides and photographs.

 “There are more castles in Ireland than you can count. It’s littered with ancient ruins,” Mr McMahon said. “Man has been traced back 8,000 years in Ireland. These early inhabitants left their monuments behind them.”

One of the highlights of western Ireland is the Ring of Kerry, he said, a scenic route that is the most popular part of Ireland to visit because of its natural beauty.

Mr McMahon will close his presentation with some practical suggestions on how to get information on the Internet, such as how to find the best bed and breakfasts, car rentals, and where to go and what to see.

Refreshments with an international flavor will be served following each program. Sign up at the library’s circulation desk or call 426-4533 to attend.