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Published: August 15th 2013
14 Aug Day 2: City of Arequipa Things were decidedly cool at the breakfast table this morning between Pen and Koala.
We went to catch the bus for our four hour tour and found the square blocked off. Three got through the barriers and two didn't. More of that later.
The square was blocked off for practice for tomorrow's celebrations for Arequipa Day (foundation day in 1541 - about 472 years). Well we think it was practice. The reason we are in doubt is because the Present of Peru turned up today (Don managed to get a photo) but unfortunately not while I was there because Liz, Garry and I literally had front row seats. Did I mention that the practice was by the Military - Army, Navy and Airforce. The uniforms here are quite spectacular. Even the local police look like they are on parade all the time. We are all sorry that we'll miss the celebration but thankful we got to see what we did, which included a very colourful parade this afternoon.
Anyway back to the bus trip. Don and Maryalina didn't make it through the barrier and were told to go
One of the Peaks of Chachani
Chachani is the 'wife" of El Misti. It is a double peaked extinct volcano.around to the otherwise of the square and again missed the barrier by a few paces. With the guide, Garry went to look for Maz and Don. In the meantime Liz and I were shoved of to go to the bus. We had a picture of the bus and the itinerary, so when we found the bus we got on - the wrong on! The buses crossed paths a few times so we jumped ship, well were pushed, and joined the blue bus (from the yellow one). It was a good tour and we saw a lot. The funny thing is nothing looks finished. There are so many inhabited buildings with one or two floors completed and the next floor unfinished. And not just waiting for the workmen to come back today or tomorrow, these are abandoned worksites. By the junk on the top or the clothes lines set up these haven't been touched for years. The bus drivers do an amazing job how they get the buses around the narrow streets. I swear they get two buses past each other in streets that I reckon we'd have trouble getting two cars past each other in Australia.
We've had
some great food while we've been in Peru and today was no exception. At lunch Garry accidental found a cafe/restaurant which served French influenced food. It was special to say the least. Tonight Hans (our host from Holland at the Hotel we are staying in) directed us to a nearby restaurant which, again, served up a great meal. Don't know how the taste buds will settle back to day-to-day food.
Tonight we are being serenaded by local music (Latin American not Incan) in our room, er sorry 3/4 of a kilometre away. Its all part of the Arequipa Day celebrations. I've got a feeling it won't finish early. Lucky its not objections, just VERY loud.
We head off early in the morning on the next leg of the adventure which will see us at the Colcoa Canyon and the opportunity to see the condors the next day. They do it at speed too! Not at a crawl like you'd think.
Thankfully Pen hasn't been up to any antics today. He certainly got the cold shoulder from Koala, but I think that may have been preceded by an ear bashing.
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Arnie
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The perfect shot would have you in the foreground Phil!!