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Published: July 14th 2007
We awoke on the 14th, to a warm bright sunny morning and breakfast on the patio. The hotel was an oasis of calm and relaxation, compared to the mayhem on the outskirts of the city, however we could still hear the speakers protesting in the distance. The hotel contained a lovely swimming pool, many hammocks and views of the nearby snow-capped mountains. Hopefully today our tour to the Colca Canyon would still take place. Eventually we heard news that we would be able to depart at 4pm, as apparently discussions with protestors, the government and police were taking place at the time. In this free time we sunbathed in the gardens and then ventured into town.
Arequipa has a stately Plaza de Armas, with a cathedral built using a distinctive white volcanic stone called sillar, (building material used extensively in this city). The monasterio Santa Catalina was particularly beautiful, with a maze of passages, living quarters and flower filled courtyards. A wealthy widow founded it in 1580, and nuns were selected from the most prosperous Spanish families. After almost three centuries of living in style, a strict Dominican nun came in and straightened things out. In 1970, this mysterious complex
was opened to the public. The nunnery was elaborately painted in bright colours, open traditional style kitchens, an art collection, elaborate chapel and even had a small area for guinea pigs, which we imagine may feature on a future menu. The nuns now occupy only part of the convent, and they sell a few of their wares to the tourists. Afterwards we could not resist the creperie opposite.
At 4pm we left Arequipa, past the abandoned rock blocked roads, a few children helping to remove a few rocks out of the way for us. However still problems visible, but our driver got us through on one of the safest routes on the back roads. Imagine one of the dustiest, windiest gravel roads up a mountainside, with coaches and trucks heading in both directions. (A recipe for another interesting journey)! Our driver stopped fairly frequently to check the conditions of his tyres. Few people managed to sleep as we got flung in the air on several occasions, and the bags and coats rolled off the racks regularly! At 9pm we stopped in Chivay for dinner, and watched a traditional band with a strange whipping dance! A few people were nominated
to join in, I think we will miss out on this one! At 10pm we arrived at a nearby hotel to gain some sleep before another early start. The hotel was one of the best so far on the tour, spacious, brand new even with a traditional heating stove. We had to be upgraded by the tour operator due to a booking problem!
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