WOW!! Nightmare in Peru...

[Rustic Eagle]

This is one camping trip that became a trio's worst nightmare:

http://adventureamericas.wordpress.c...tmare-in-peru/

Note: I have not seen any account of this story yet on any US news feeds.

Bob

[SmokerBill]

Man, that's been a bad experience for those folks. And it's still not over. Not your typical National Geographic type of Peruvians, huh?

[Rustic Eagle]

Talk about picking the wrong area to camp in I would have to believe that the area in question had to been known as a travel risk, especially the way the entire village came together.

I've done a little hiking overseas (Southeast Asia), but I do my do-diligence in knowing what areas carry travel risks, and the nature of the risk.

Interesting story about how they prepared for the trip: http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/o...nture-americas

Bob

[Seann45]

First rock thrown I would have hit the horn and drive right through them... at that point it becomes self preservation.

[Crabman]

Wow, what an ordeal.

[canuckowner]

... that's horror-movie scary....

[SmokerBill]

Still, no reports on the US national news? Could it be a fictional story?

[clubhouse]

Why would this make national news? If true its certainly unfortunate, but I have to imagine around the globe terrible things happen to American tourists frequently and not reported on. It's not like there is any Peruvian gov't conspiracy, world wide drug cartel or terrorist organization involved. It's 3 travelers that where severely beat up and robbed in a remote 3rd world jungle. Be interested to see what travel warnings the State Dept has for Peru...our Gov't generally has a decent handle on where it is and isn't particularly safe to travel.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

snip..... Be interested to see what travel warnings the State Dept has for Peru....snip

Unfortunately there are a lot:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...s/cis_998.html

Travel risk "hot spots" in any country can be somewhat dynamic, so one's degree of awareness has to be a priority when traveling outside the larger populated areas....., at least it was for me during my recent trip to the Philippines.

I'm following the Blog that the story was posted in, and curious to see if in fact the area in question was a restricted travel area and possibly played a role in the unfortunate attack on the trio.

Bob

[BlueHaul]

There are so many beautiful places to see here in the good ol' US of A. I think my tires will stay on domestic roads after reading that one! Wow!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

Still, no reports on the US national news? Could it be a fictional story?

Bill,

It appears that the story has been picked up by some news media:

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=9411

http://elcomercio.pe/actualidad/1518...sinos-ocongate

Still remains an unfortunate event, but it would interesting to know if there was anything that the trio did that day/evening that may have put them at additional risk.., that in turn may be helpful to other travelers planning a similar trip.

Bob

[Chakara]

I hate to be cold hearted. The fact remains that they drifted into an uncontrolled area. There are areas of Peru identified by the state department as not under control of the Peruvian government.

I'm assuming the above to be true.

Sadly, Americans run into bad situations all the time internationally. Understanding that when you leave this country that you are more or less on your own is not so widely know...

-Chak

[Rustic Eagle]

Update from the "TODAY" Show:

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50585772

[RoyBraddy]

This caught my eye early on when this story first started hitting "ALL" of the RV forums including this one. The story was told and kicked around for all to read... Then it started looking like a possible scam as stolen and destroyed items were itemized and apparently monies were being sent by the RV'ers to poor folks involved. Sure raised a RED FLAG to me... At that time it was only being reported by an internet type BLOG of some sort. No news media involved.

I see now the story has finally got some US news media attention...

Roy Ken

[SmokerBill]

Even exploring the US has its potential dangers. I'm parked at the Imperial Dam LTVA near Yuma now, and looked at a map yesterday to find nearby National Parks or Monuments. I discovered the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was about 3 hours away, so I went to the National Parks website to learn what I could. Here's a quote out of the "Safety" page for the park:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a safe place to visit. However, illegal border crossings and activities, including drug smuggling, occur daily. It is unlikely that you will encounter any illegal border activity but you should be aware that such a situation is possible.

http://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm

It would be an interesting place to visit, having many varieties of cactii and wildlife. (Including Gila Monsters, which would be quite a sight.)

The park abuts the Mexico/US border for several miles, which led me to read the page about park safety. If I decide to camp there, I will have protection next to my bed. And I don't mean a big dog! Or a shotgun, as was recommended recently.

[tinlizzie23]

Perhaps you could ask Senator Feinstein to come down and provide protection for you and your family while so near the border. She seems to know a lot about what is and what isn't needed.

[Bob Landry]

This story just reinforces my desire to never go across the border again. Let those people live on some other tourist's money, they won't be getting mine.