Aye, Rubencito

I'm really really looking forward to seeing Machu Piccu in Peru this coming August. However planning the whole trip has been, well, interesting...It is NOT the easiest thing dealing with someone in another country, whether you're faxing documents over with your credit card number (seems so shady) or trying to talk to them on the phone. Today's long distance conversation was as follows.

After I dial +011 51 84 254 127 125 986 566596563456... to call Cusco

Lady: Buenes tardes

Me: Um hi, I made a reservation last week with Hotel Marquesas. Can I have a confirmation my rooms are reserved?

Lady: Aye, Rubencito...Rubencito! Rubencito...(spanish, spanish) telephono.

A pleasant sounding man takes the phone.
Man: Hello how may I help you?

Me: I'd like to have a confirmation that I have a room reserved at Hotel Marquesas.

Man: Hello, hello, I cannot hear you maam.

Me: YES - CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'D LIKE A CONFIRMATION...

Man: A what?

Me: A CONFIRMATION. I NEED A ROOM. AUGUST. I RESERVED LAST WEEK.

Man: Hello, hello? Oh have you tried our email at info@sastravelperu.com?

Me: Yes, I did and no one has emailed me back yet.

Man: No? (Mumble, mumble) Have you tried our email at info@sastravelperu.com?

Me: YES. YES I HAVE BUT NO ONE HAS EMAILED ME BACK. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO EMAIL ME BACK?

MAN: Sorry?

Me: HOW LONG-SOMEONE-WRITE-ME-BACK?

Man: Oh, have you tried our email at info@sastravelperu.com?

Me: Lord, you are testing my patience today YES I DID! Can you tell me today, right now, if I have a room reserved.

Man: Uhhh, (mumble mumble) maam if you email at info@sastravelperu.com someone will get back to you.

Me: I DID ALREADY...Oh Jesus... You know what? Fine, fine. (sigh) I will email. Again.

Man: Our email is info@...

Me: YES, YES I KNOW. THANK YOU. BYE.

This is how every conversation goes. It's kinda funny but also frustrating! Never any resolution and I end up feeling strangely defeated...