Arequipa

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We decided to make a random 10 hour road trap via bus to Arequipa, then an additional 3 hours to the beach. Riding through Mars like terrain was quite interesting, and reaching the end of the desert at the edge of the ocean was like being in a movie.

After checking each booth for the best price to Arequipa, we settled on a s/.20 ride carrying only a tent, bag of clothing, Tampico orange soda and pan especiales. Once arriving in Arequipa we took a cab to the main square outside the Cathedral. The sun had been rising for an hour which gave the scene great lighting. Nothing was open at 630 in the morning except road side stands servind egg sandwiches and Kiwiche, Quinua, or other hot beverages. We decided to relax in the square and enjoy the sun for a bit, then made our way back to the bus terminal to find for another bus for the 3 hour journey to the beach.

We stepped off the bus into a classic beach town with a surplus of sol. After lunch and purchasing food and beverages we hopped into a mototaxi and rode to the beach. We set up tent and jumped right into the ice cold ocean. We soaked up some toastie rays and enjoyed fried squid under the umbrella. Something they should implement in the US. The restaurants would bring the food directly to you. The beach was not that different than those in the US, except for the fantastic lack of commercialization.

After a day of intense sun, we welcomed the sunset and the quickly emptying beach. That night we carried our tent filled with belongings down the beach closer to a concert. I didn't realize until the next morning exactly how far we had moved it. That would explain why Dillman started to imagine he was pushing a rock.

The next morning greeted us with amazing views. The sun rose and illuminated the beach fog. After playing with a sand crab, finding bread, and finishing off the wine for breakfast, we enjoyed more sun and made our way back to the city. From there we hoped into a van and enjoyed the faster journey back to Arequipa than a bus would have offered.

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Photos

Preparing for a busy day
Wake up and walk out of the tent to this scence. Caramara

Morning water catcher
The only people on the beach this morning were those carrying buckets of water from the ocean to the restaurants across from the beach.

Comments

[anna]

cool! add some descriptions--i want to know what i'm looking at

[nana]

beach scene
The beach at sunset is awesome I can only imagine the colors as you saw them

[Dave]

I recommend you revisit Arerquipa. There is so much to see and do there.