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| Is your GLBT-ness a deciding factor in choosing a travel destination? |
| Absolutely! I must be able to be openly GLBT whereever I go. |
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| Mostly yes, but I might compromise if the destination is special |
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| It's important, but I am willing to adjust to local attitudes. |
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| Not really, being GLBT is not something I need to practice 365 days a year |
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| Not at all, I don't even give it any thought when planning my travels |
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| Total Votes : 3 |
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MrGart
Baggage Handler
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Iquitos, Peru
23 ants
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 Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:45 am Post subject: Iquitos, Peru, heart of the Amazon rainforest |
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If you would like to visit the primary Amazon rainforest, but worry about not being able to do so as an openly GLBT person or couple, come to Iquitos, Peru.
As an openly gay man, I was slightly worried about being able to live the lifestyle I was used to, when I decided to move to Iquitos and teach English here for a year. After all, Peru is a conservative, mostly catholic country, on a continent that is hardly known for its gay-friendly attitudes.
So I was more than a bit surprised to find that Iquitos is a progressive and open-minded city, with a thriving gay community, several gay bars and clubs and many openly gay, lesbian and transgender inhabitants.
We just celebrated our fourth Gay Pride Day with a parade through town that did not shy away from the rougher parts of the city. It's no San Francisco, another town where I lived for several years, and there were only a couple of hundred participants, but people lining the streets cheered us on and everyone had a good time. Anti-gay violence is practically non-existent here. Sure, people may occasionally laugh, whistle, and make fun of obvious gays, but it never seems abusive, or unpleasant.
While the older generations still frown on homosexuality, the younger crowd is much more accepting and gay-friendly. And as Iquitos is a university town, the average age of its inhabitants must be somewhere around 25. It is quite easy to meet people and make new friends here.
Adventure travel is not for everyone, but Iquitos offers all kinds of interesting things to see and do. A multiple-day excursion into the jungle, or a choice of about a dozen different daytrips destinations. The city has an interesting history, dating back to the mid-1700s and some amazing architectural gems.
In any case, I came to teach English here for a year. That was three years ago and I am still here. The local gay life is not the only reason, but it is an important one!
Tourism is way underdeveloped in Iquitos, so you won't run into many tourists. That makes it a cheap place to visit and easy to experience the authentic jungle-city life, meet the locals and find out what living in an isolated town like this is like. People are friendly, hospitable, open-minded and real. The crime rate is extremely low. And while shopping isn't great -you won't find a Macy's or Nordstrom's here- there is very little you can't get here. With almost 400,000 inhabitants, Iquitos is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road.
Looking foward to seeing you in Iquitos!
Mr. Gart
_________________
Iquitos, Peru, the best kept secret of the Amazon rainforest
Visit www.ikitos.com for information |
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miqueas
Trainee Baggage Handler
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Location: New Orleans
3 ants
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject: hello |
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| It is exteremly important for me to be out and feel safe wherever I visit. |
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MrOBoyle
Trainee Baggage Handler
Joined: 28 Aug 2010
Posts: 1
Location: Charlotte, NC
2 ants
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| Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: Teaching English in Iquitos |
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Mr. Gart,
Thanks for this post--it's very informative. I am on the verge of heading to Iquitos to do some volunteering for a month or two, but I'm pretty sure I will want to stay for a while after that. While not gay myself, I'm happy to hear that Iquitos is such a, relatively speaking, progressive/tolerant place.
My question is this: Did you teach English in a school or did you do private tutoring? If a school, can you give me its name or webpage or email? I want to teach, and I'd like to at least send someone my c.v. before I get there. But I can't find any Iquitos schools online. I'm happy to hear that it is possible support yourself down there. If you don't mind me asking, how much can one expect to make?
Best,
Patrick |
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George30
Trainee Baggage Handler
Joined: 18 Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Location: philippines
3 ants
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 2:46 am Post subject: |
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hi MrOBoyle..
thanks for that information you given...
btw im new in this site and also thank you for accepting me..
thanks a lot and god bless... |
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MrGart
Baggage Handler
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Iquitos, Peru
23 ants
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:04 am Post subject: Re: Teaching English in Iquitos |
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| MrOBoyle wrote: | Mr. Gart,
Thanks for this post--it's very informative. I am on the verge of heading to Iquitos to do some volunteering for a month or two, but I'm pretty sure I will want to stay for a while after that. While not gay myself, I'm happy to hear that Iquitos is such a, relatively speaking, progressive/tolerant place.
My question is this: Did you teach English in a school or did you do private tutoring? If a school, can you give me its name or webpage or email? I want to teach, and I'd like to at least send someone my c.v. before I get there. But I can't find any Iquitos schools online. I'm happy to hear that it is possible support yourself down there. If you don't mind me asking, how much can one expect to make?
Best,
Patrick |
Hi Patrick!
Thanks to Mr. O'Boyle I got a little reminder that I hadn't responded to your post yet. Sorry for the delay!
I came here to teach at a local private school, which I did for a year. After that I taught private classes at home, but found it very hard to make a living. I never quite broke even. After six months in tourism, I found a position as an English teacher at the university and I am fortunate to have that as a basic income. Mind you, it isn't enough to live on. I am always looking for extra income from tourism. My monthly salary is about 350 dollars and that is considered generous. Life is cheap here, but to live a relatively modest lifestyle is difficult.
The institute I taught at before is now called Uk El Vivential I believe. I don't know if they are hiring or not. I myself work at the UNAP, and I don't know if there are any openings there, but native English speakers always have a shot at a position. You can send a letter and resume to Ms. Amanda de la Puente, Centro de Idiomas de la UNAP, Calle Sargento Lores 446, Iquitos, Loreto Peru. Or try the website, but I don't have any direct links.
Good luck and please keep me posted!
Gart
_________________
Iquitos, Peru, the best kept secret of the Amazon rainforest
Visit www.ikitos.com for information |
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MrGart
Baggage Handler
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Iquitos, Peru
23 ants
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:07 am Post subject: Re: Teaching English in Iquitos |
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| MrOBoyle wrote: | Mr. Gart,
Thanks for this post-
Patrick |
BTW, That was supposed to be: "Thanks to George 30..." LOL
Gart
_________________
Iquitos, Peru, the best kept secret of the Amazon rainforest
Visit www.ikitos.com for information |
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Jellen00
Trainee Baggage Handler
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 1
2 ants
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| Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:38 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the great info you shared here,this site is really great,i really learn here...
God bless!!! |
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bsanchez13
Trainee Baggage Handler
Joined: 19 Aug 2012
Posts: 1
Location: SF, CA
2 ants
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:46 am Post subject: English speakers in Iquitos |
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| Hey MrGart. Are you still out there? I haven't seen a recent post. In any case, I have a need for a couple of bi-lingual Peruvian employees in Iquitos, and I thought where I might find enterprising candidates if you're still teaching there. Thanks, Bruce |
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MrGart
Baggage Handler
Joined: 10 Oct 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Iquitos, Peru
23 ants
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| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: English speakers in Iquitos |
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| bsanchez13 wrote: | | Hey MrGart. Are you still out there? I haven't seen a recent post. In any case, I have a need for a couple of bi-lingual Peruvian employees in Iquitos, and I thought where I might find enterprising candidates if you're still teaching there. Thanks, Bruce |
Hi Bruce!
I am still here, but I don´t teach anymore. I now run a lodge in the jungle, which takes up all of my time, and then some! 
What kind of work are you offering to bilingual Peruvians? I may be able to help. Please contact me via mrgart@gmail.com.
Chau!
Gart
_________________
Iquitos, Peru, the best kept secret of the Amazon rainforest
Visit www.ikitos.com for information |
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