Arequipa

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Right now it's 6:30am in Cusco, we've been on a night bus for... 9 hours, a very comfy bus I might add, one that I still couldn't sleep on regardless, but at least it was a comfy lack of sleep, have arrived to hostel at 5am, shown to the TV room which can only be described as a bundle of people curled in much needed sleep also waiting for their rooms to become available at 1pm, sat reading in the cold outside until now when overheard there was internet and thought this would be a much better way to spend my time, and warmer!

Arequipa started off as a complete nightmare, not the city itself, but the journey. We ordered our bus ticket from our hostel, The Point, who overcharged us for our tickets and put us on the most terrifying bus journey ever. The receptionist reassured us that the company was a good one. I think he secretly hated us. I can say with complete certainty that no-one should ever get on a FRAEL bus, ever, in their lives, even if desperate, really. The journey of 5 hours was intensely stressful. It all boded pretty badly from the start where as soon as we left the bus terminal we stopped and picked up some locals, this occured on a nearly hourly basis, and with no thoughts to capacity so people standing in the aisles and of course every time you stop, you need to check your backpacks aren't being taken from the hold which means a constant state of awareness, fear, and alarm. Especially with all the stories of high-jackings. To add to this Rosie and I had a family behind us, two women on the seats, two kids standing. The son who liked to kick and lean against the back of our chairs. The daughter who clung to the headrest of my seat and consistently smacked me in the head every 5 minutes as the bus swerved down the windy road. Then we stop in the middle of absolute nowhere, I assume for a toilet and lunch break. To make this experience all the more enjoyable I had a fever and felt terrible. Nicky saw us driving on the wrong side of the road. And when we looked up Frael on our arrival, it turns out this new company has already had 2 bus crashes involving deaths both times. Lucky escape!

So, much relieved and happy to be alive we get to Arequipa and arrive out our Hostal. Another beautiful place. Las Torres del Ugarte. Recommend. Although a bit pricey when back-packing. But beautiful. Amazing showers. TV. Actual beds instead of bunks. Stunning terrace. 3 course breakfast! Winner all round.

Arequipa is a beautiful city we all loved it. We went to the Monastery de Santa Catalina and it was stunning. The tour was also really great and worth every penny plus tìp. We all thought that the convent would be the most perfect place for a retreat, except that now it's all now far less plush and the nuns live in a much more modest life-style than they used to. Still. Definitely worth a see and worth the tour. We also saw the Ice Princess. Again another great tour. We were fairly scepticle that it might be really tacky but it was actually really interesting and quite sad that this poor 12 year old girl was killed on a hill-side as a sacrifice to the gods. Saw some of the churches and the cathedrals too. Ate a lot of great food again. Beautiful place. Looking forward to going back to volunteer.

So anyway, that's the story so far, thankfully alive and well, in Cusco for Inti Raymi on 24th then off trekking to Machu Picchu once we find a goodun and back to Lima after. Let me know how you're all doing and what's new 😊

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Comments

[Cat]

Requesting the story of the Ice Princess, please :)