travelingteach

Africa seems even next level in terms of price.

I think lack of competition is a big problem. There aren't a ton of major airlines here. The population is also pretty spread out compared to Asia/Europe.

Domestic is usually okay. I just recently flew to the edge of Peru to visit Bolivia by land because it saved enough money to justify the extra time.

I live in Peru. There actually are incredibly expensive trains connecting Cusco/Puno/Arequipa. No one really uses them.

The problem is the terrain doesn't lend itself to trains at all without a super expensive investment, and the population of Peru is spread out so much once you leave Lima.

Flights in general are terrible in Latin America in terms of cost which is why the bus is popular. More so international but even domestic is pricey for the quality and distance. Plus stopping in Paracas/Nazca/Arequipa makes the bus a good way to cheaply hit those spots. Flying back to the start is a good move though

I've lived in both and the difference between them is even starker in person. So much of Russias wealth is concentrated in so few hands. The median Chinese is doing so immeasurably better and that gap will only grow.

Russias a nuclear power which counts for a lot on the world stage but economically the country is in terrible shape even before the sanctions.