Blogs from Santa Catalina, Arequipa, Peru, South America

So off we go to the airport again but this time not in a limo, or at least a not expensive limo. It was a nice black car again not so shiny but for a third of the price we got when we had arrived in Lima. Beeing in the airport a little hungry and looking for a place to seat, we went to our good friend starbucks... Some yummy frapuccinos featured on the board and me trying to be spontaneous decided to have a frapuccino algarrobina.. Algarrobina does the name sound familiar??? Guessing not!! Well at that time it didn t ring any bell to me either untill I took the first sip and then I knew and made the association algarrobina=carob. Ew yiak, stef was making fun of me and asked me how I ... read more

Dag 166. Vi hadde en enkel frokost paa hotellet, og gikk for aa se klosteret Santa Catalina. Klosteret var grunnlagt i 1579, og var lukket fram til 1970. Paa det meste bodde det 450 nonner i det 2 hektar store klosteret. Klosteret ligger midt i Arequipa, og klosteromraadet er som en liten by innenfor murene. Det er malt i tradisjonelle farger; som hvit, oransje, mork rod og blaa. I dag lever det 30 nonner der (mellom 18-80 aar gammel), men de har trukket seg tilbake til et lite avstengt omraade innenfor murene. Vi gikk og kikket inne i “klosterbyen” i et par timer. Til lunsj gikk vi til en meksikansk kafe, og spiste burritos med kylling og smeltet ost. Jane spurte i forkant om det var veldig sterkt, og da vi fikk maten hadde latt vaere ... read more

Arequipa We began our adventure in Arequipa a town 3 hour flight from Lima. Arequipa is home to one of the largest villages of nuns. Its like a city within a city and has an amazing history to it. Hundreds of years ago all girls age 12 would be sent to live in the convent, they were not alowd contact with anyone from the outside and were only alowd to speak to their parents through a wall. They had a room where they slept ate and studied, when they where 16 they had to choose if they wanted to be a nun and live the rest of their lives in the convent with no contact with the outside or if they wanted to return to the outside world.. the only catch is that if they did ... read more

Peru’s second most important city after Lima, Arequipa maintains a traditional colonial style and more laid back pace in comparison with the capital. Sitting at 2325 m (7626 ft) above sea level and surrounded by the Andes mountains, this delightful colonial town is well worth a visit. Arequipa was built from a very light coloured volcanic rock called sillar, so older buildings dazzle in the sun, giving the city its nickname, “the White City.” The main plaza with its cafés and nearby cathedral is a top draw for visitors. Those with an interest in history and architecture may take an optional visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life. Spectacular mountains surround Arequipa, the most famous of which is ... read more