In the highlands of Peru, I´ve been drinking a lot of coca tea to help with altitude sickness. I think it has actually helped (though I was told chewing the leaves was more effective).
I´m in Cuzco airport right now waiting for a flight to Arequipa. We just flew in from the jungle, so the altitude is bothering me again. I ordered some mate de coca (this time in a tea bag and not just the leaves). The package lists the ¨properties¨of coca tea:
- Restorative and energetic
- Excellent for diet.
- Digestive.
- Anti-diarrheac action
- Acts against fatigue and alitude sickness.
- Relieves tiredness of voice.
- Regulates the metabolism of carbohidrate.
Sounds like the perfect tea, no?
We just spent the last four nights in the Amazon jungle outside of Puerto Maldonado. It was great… but I have to say, the mosquitos were ridiculous.
Growing up in Southern California, going to school in Northern California, and now living in Seattle, I´ve never really had to deal with mosquitos. Here are some things that I´ve learned:
- Mosquitos can bite through clothing. Smart little buggers! On one of the nighttime walks, I got about 15 bug bites on my back…. through my shirt. Ridiculous!
- Deet ¨repels¨ mosquitos….. but in the loose sense of the word. I was Deet-ed, and for good measure OFF-ed as well, and the little guys just kept coming.
- There´s a reason why REI sells full body bug nets. Though you might look like a tool, you´re protected.
All said, i have something like 70 mosquito bites. They were easy to count since each flared up bright red like a hive. 
Thank goodness for Benadryl and Hydrocortisone.