Arequipa, travel diary

 

Arequipa

We left the station in Lima in the evening to embark on a night bus in about twelve hours we would have led to the "White City" Arequipa. The trip was announced that comfortable, was troubled by an incident of vandalism that we have suffered nearly three hours after our departure. Some offenders have well thought of putting a rock on the bus window, sending shattered and shards of glass disseminate throughout the vehicle. The journey has suddenly turned into an inferno. The driver could not be sure to stop in the middle of nothing, with the risk of being attacked again. The solution was to continue until the city of Nazca, with a good station "fortified." The tragic thing is that during the night was a dog cold air and icy continued to come from the broken window. To tell the truth even after the stop at the station of Nazca, things have not improved much: the driver has placed the well and a better piece of plywood to fill the hole ... desperate attempt!

Despite this mishap we arrived safely (un po 'cold) at the destination. Accepted at the station, we were transported to the hotel where we arranged for the luggage and then head towards the city center and have breakfast. The hotel was above all expectations, with extraordinary service, at least compared to what we were accustomed. Even the city of Arequipa has been very pleasant, with an old town built entirely from a traditional white stone carved from the surrounding fields. After a brief tour in the main square we have returned to enjoy the unexpected luxury of our home, where there was even cable TV!
Taken away, we even forgot the dinner but in compensation we have given a long and endless hot shower to warm climates in that particular night it was particularly harsh.

For the next day we had the strength to recover costs during the long trip and so, do not wake up too early, we direct the lower floor of our hotel to make a lauda breakfast. Really started to think that this time our money we spent them really well, purchasing a tour with the control flakes.
After breakfast we again directed towards the Plaza de Armas (central square), but without taking too seriously, wandering aimlessly through the streets of the center, knowing that we were experiencing a day of absolute relaxation. Went to dinner at a downtown clubs in rincasati us soon as the next day we had planned an excursion of two days the Colca Canyon.

Monastero di Santa Catalina

The next day we wake up with a comfortable, relaxed and ready for the ultimate goal that we stayed in town: the monastery of Santa Catalina. Rather than a monastery is a small autonomous city, built before the city of Arequipa to host the cloistered nuns. As already mentioned, the monastery is really great and the visit has been very interesting. It 'was possible to admire the old cells in which the nuns spent their lives, the ancient baths and the ancient kitchens. But the really surprising thing of the monastery are the colors: it is very pastel colors ranging from bright yellow colonial all'azzurro smooth all'austerità giving the environment a touch of life.
We left the monastery already calavano darkness and with them also ended our stay in Arequipa.

After the usual hot shower and an excellent dinner we returned to the hotel to prepare the backpacks: we started the next day at ten o'clock in the morning in view of Cuzco.

Canyon del Colca

The next day, good hours of morning we boarded a van in which together with other people, including a pair of Italians, we would have to visit the canyon highest in the world. We started to move away from the city of Arequipa through winding streets that climb the desert Andean Cordillera. To reach the fertile valley of the Colca had before us four hours of travel and above all, a significant natural barrier, a mountain pass that rises to a height of 4910 meters above sea level. Thanks to the suggestions of our guide Bernarda we were equipped to fight the bad on the high seas: lemon candies containing large amounts of sugar and the famous "coca leaves" which are a natural remedy for the regulation of blood pressure. After a first part of the journey developed on asphalt road, once passed up, a 4910 meters high, the road has turned into a sort of dirt track full of holes, bumps and other bumps. We granted a stage in the most critical time of our ascent to enjoy a hot tea, strictly on coca leaves, which gave us the strength to go back in van and head toward the goal. For the entire length of the trail we were accompanied by the presence of a number of animals typical of these zones, particularly alpacas and llamas, but also very rare vicuna and guanaco and nearly extinct ... a show!
Finally after four hours of journey we began to glimpse the green valley of the Colca and in a moment we were already at Chivay, the town that our guide had chosen to spend the night. In particular, we headed for a hotel just outside the center, located at the foot of a mountain and built entirely in brick of adobe. The adobe, for those who do not know, is a mix of mud and straw feature of all the buildings with the Andean important and valuable characteristic to accumulate the heat of the sun during the day and release it slowly during the night, to combat rigid temperature of the valley. Indeed Bernarda our guide, had warned us that in this area the night temperatures might go down to -15 ° C: chilling! We had available the rest of the afternoon to get acquainted with the rest of the town and prepare ourselves psychologically for the cold night whereas in our room there was no heating. To warm the soul and especially the body we have given an hour to spend in the hot springs near the village. Time to dry and we went to dinner at a place distinctive, cheered by the presence of some guys who are performing songs and dances in traditional beauty that! With full bellies, we returned to our cold room cheered by a surprise: the hotel staff we had prepared a "boss" to put warm water inside the bed. Once in the room we went into our sleeping bags and well under the thick blankets we closed our eyes, hoping to be able to reopen.

Mirador del Condor

To be honest our sleep has lasted for very little ... the five were already in place and after a warm breakfast we shared along the path of the canyon until you reach a place called "Mirador del condor." From here it was possible to make a close knowledge of the largest bird in the world: the Andean condor, a species endangered in this area is very prosperous. We stopped for an hour at the mirador abundant and then step back into doing some characteristic points from which one could admire the landscape. A breathtaking view of the fact meticulous terraces as the eye could see, interspersed with green pastures some color turquoise lake and flocks of animals that graze freely under the watchful gaze of campesinas. Back to Chivay we have eaten in a hurry for lunch then begin the journey back to Arequipa. Another four hours that have proved even more uncomfortable and interminable dusty journey. Fortunately we reached Arequipa could enjoy a hot shower and a good dinner that have erased all our effort.