A Papaya A Day in Arequipa

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I should´ve ended up in Lima, since the bus driver had departed Cusco in the wrong direction. I didn´t get a wink of sleep since he was either drunk or tired and was swerving across both lanes for 9 hours.

I got to Arequipa and didn´t do a thing. I contemplated a 2 day canyon trek for about three minutes and decided that having just done Machu Pichu, it was a stupid idea. I would do a colca canyon tour instead. I slept on that thought for one night, and then two, and three and finally realised that I couldn´t care less if it´s the world´s deepest canyon at 3400m deep. I wouldn´t pay US$30 to see a bunch of deep cracks.

So I made new friends, lazed in the hammocks and went out with the locals to dance. It was much more fun and cheaper. Yes, I did miss out on seeing the condors, but pffffft.

After 3 days, I decided to get off the hammock and get moving.... I was getting bored. It was time for a currency and time change. Chile is 1 hour ahed and 1 euro equals a ridiculous 784 Chilean Pesos. har har. Someone´s going to need to purchase a calculator me thinks! (Chile´s supposed to be latin america´s first 1st world nation .... with THIS currency??)

Arequipa is stunning, much like Cusco... very colonial. They call it the white city because the buildings are made of white volcanic stone. The town looks RICH and suburban (reminds me a little of suburbia Adelaide). It was the day before Good Friday, and the peruvians really know how to celebrate religious festivals. There were stalls set up selling easter eggs, drinks, chocolate covered fruit on sticks, cotton candy. Basically people were running amoke and having fun (business must´ve been booming for pick-pockets!). There was even a Santa Claus (?)(!) on the street handing out easter eggs to drivers.
I did some shopping (I´ve been holding out for this since I didn´t want to lug it around), and will send a package home from Chile, which will include some Dulce de Leche cookies I´ve been addicted to.

I am now in Iquique, CHILE! Where the weather is soooo beautiful, and I am FINALLY at sea level, by the beach. No more altitude sickness and cold weather... woooohooo!

Food: I guinea pigged out of trying guinea pig in Peru. People I spoke to said it tastes like the smell of fish. Yummy. No thanks.
Proposals: Have had a couple of Peruvian marriage proposals, from men who come up to my arm-pits. Well, since I´m officially single ........?

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Comments

[Joel T]

Proposals
Perhaps you should go for two of the proposals to make up for the lack of height...

[Nigel and Margie in Australia]

Happy Easter
Hi girl, you're having too much fun! Happy Easter, and make sure you have a clear head before contemplating any more Peruvian proposals. If they only come up to your armpits, don't choose any bald ones... after all you'll be the one looking down on them forever afterwards. Oakbank races today was a record crowd - 47,150 or so, so there was a big party in your home town. Now for Easter Monday! Glad you've had a rest, Silvia, and hope you are heading into more happy travels. Keep safe, and thanks for so many interesting blogs. X Nigel

[Daniela]

Happy Easter - hope you got some Easter eggs.

[JJ]

Exciting Trips - Happy Easter
Hey Silvia, u really are on an adventure. Stay safe and enjoy every moment of being able to have time by yourself~ Happy Easter ~

[alina]

Brave girl, Silvia! I enjoy reading your comments and get very addicted to them. I envy you!!!