Lima Travel Answers

Hi Silly question, but can't you bring a small packet/tube with you to save you the hassle of hunting for this in Lima, or is this a longer trip? Regards Cathy

Why not pack some of this into small zip lock bags and bring along with you as much as you may need for the trip. This way you do not have to worry about where to find it.

Ah, 'small' point I should have mentioned - going to be there for four months!! I have calculated what I will need and it is really the soap powder that is the prob! i.e. two of us x twice a week minimum, that includes bed linen, etc.!!

Then if for such a lenght of time go for a small box. 2x per week is a lot to do laundry while on a trip. See if you can modify to once per week.

I am not going to get into a discussion about the number of times per week but let me say that with bed linen, towels and clothes, twice a week will be what it will be - bearing in mind the capacity of the washing machine. One wash for linen and towels and one wash for clothing for two people is not overworking the machine, nor getting carried away with a paranoia with cleanliness. I really would like to hear from people re the availability or not, rather than the finer points of frequency of laundry.

I think you need to bring a box of the detergent with you or if a box is not possible pour the as much of contents into large zip lock bags as you think you will need and take in your luggage. That will solve the issue.

The original question has not been answered, yet. Of course, I would or could do as you suggest, I have already thought of that. It's obvious. However, it is precisely because I want to avoid this that I have asked if such products are available in Lima.

Chellibelli - thank you so much for your effort on my behalf. The info doesn't directly help me as the FASA website is not very specific. However, it is certainly another lead. I was wondering if you could ask your au pair if she thinks they would stock the brand called MAGIA BLANCA? I am told that this is non-perfumed but cannot have this info verified - she might know?

You are so kind and that would be immensely helpful. We leave exactly four weeks today!

Hi there My two cents: all the toiletries I have seen in Peru were 'ordinary' toiletries i.e the full perfumed/full of chemicals ones. The main points of sales are chemists and supermarkets. I do not remember seeing organic/allergy/unperfumed anything. It was a bit like stepping back to the early 70s before we (westerners)started to worry about colourings, heavy metals and cancer-inducing chemicals. To give you an idea, we could not find shower gel, it was a bar of soap or nothing. In contrast, there were dozens of shampoo to choose from. So I think your quest is not an easy one. You may indeed want to take some powder with you but it will be tough to take enough for 4 months. A

Thank you for your response. However, I see you were last in Lima in 2005 and from what I can gather, things must have changed since then. There are quite a few, not to say, lots of health and organic places where one can buy organic and allergy products. I cannot imagine why you couldn't find shower gel, as even in the mid-1970's it was available - not in the remote areas but certainly in Lima. I have ascertained that there are quite a few unperfumed body soaps, so that is one thing off the list. One can always wash one's hair with those. Fortunately, the washing powder I use here requires only a small quantity per wash, so 32 small scoops, while reasonably bulky, isn't as bad as it could be. However, I am still sure that there must be an unperfumed powder available and am hot on the trail of tracking it down. I have had various leads and am hopeful of success. I will post here the results of my investigations, either before I leave or at some time in the future. In the mean time, any and all suggs are appreciated.

I think the problem is resolved. I am afraid I am guilty of looking too much at the wood and missing all the trees!! A friend of mine asked me why I didn't just take one of those laundry ball things. Indeed, why not!! I have done research. It will admirably fit the bill and have ordered one already. I have known about such animals for ages now but never related them to my problem, nor indeed, thought that they would have any application in my life! Of course, being a sceptical soul, I am going to have a test-run before leaving! I know the article won't work for blood, grease and grass stains but seems to do the job for ordinary everyday grime. So, many thanks one and all.

Don't eat greasy food, don't cut your self and don't go near the grass and you will be fine.

I don't, I won't and I never!