Advertisement
Published: August 14th 2012
Edit Blog Post
Machu Picchu is a hard act to follow, so we were keeping expectations low as we headed toward Peru's canyonlands. An all day ten hour bus ride from Cusco to Arequipa gave us time to read, relax and take in the colorful Peruvian countryside. The ride to Arequipa is the Altiplano of Peru, high altitude treeless plains sliced by lazy rivers, rural farms, and rocky roads leading off to far off ranches and valleys. Boredom is rarely present, for if one becomes tired of scenery outside the window, the action inside the bus can be entertaining. Hence, at a short middle of nowhere stop, a couple of Indian women board with a large greasy bag smelling of something cooked. Surprisingly, they display a huge chunk of roasted Alpaca right down the bus aisle. Watch you step for lunch has arrived. The passengers seem hungry, for the Indian entrepreneurs are quickly hacking hunks of meat off the bone for many of our traveling friends. $2 gets you a decent bag of meat, utensils not included, and the meat is literally flying off the bone. Passengers are quite content for I spy many licking there fingers while smiling with satisfaction.
Arequipa has a few sites worth visiting. Of course the Plaza de Armas or central square is impressive with broad avenues, fine restaurants, shady trees and pigeon fouled fountains. Visitors spill out from everywhere to fill the plaza and adjoining streets, selling stuff, walking home or just strolling. We hit the nearby McDonalds, something we never do back home. But after multiple meals of rice, french fries and chicken, we're game for a little American fast food fix. A Big Mac never tasted so delicious, and not out of line at about $2. From the mundane to the spiritual, the Santa Catalina Convent is a must see. Located near the city center, this 450 year old cloister for the devoted looks like it was built as a Hollywood set. It takes up a large city block, has it own named streets, untold number of kitchens, bakeries, rooms, chapels and all well preserved. You can't help but wonder how one would lock themselves up their entire lives, to live within walls dedicated to a deity and cutting off all contact with ones families. Well cutting contact with family members might not be hard for some, but all of the sensory pleasures
the world has to offer. Incredibly tough and incredibly dedicated, which from us only deserves respect. Another fantastic site is the Arequipa University Museum that houses the perfectly preserved remains of Juanita, the sacrificial virgin found frozen on a nearby mountain top. She's over 500 years old, a gift to the Incan Gods when they did those kind of things and now a gift to us. This is one museum not to be missed.
The next day we were off to Colca Valley and Canyon with a night in Chivay. The three hour ride to the valley is where one can get there fix of vicunas, llamas and alpacas. There everywhere along the highway, munching grasses and mosses along alpine streams. In fact there's enough llamas around to feed every passing bus for a year. Forging ahead we arrive in Chivay, a small Indian village that's our stay for the night. Temperatures are freezing when the sun sets so its early to a warm bed. The next day is the highlight where we witness the Colca Canyon in all its deepness, but more impressive are its condors. Its the first time we've ever seen condors, from afar
they look like buzzards but up close there's no mistaking there size. Their huge, with wingspans that bring pterodactyls to mind. They seem not to mind visiting photographers, flying directly overhead as if to show off. It was a long haul out to see the Canyon and its condors, but Amei and I agree we weren't disappointed. Next stop Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.116s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 8; qc: 53; dbt: 0.0841s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb