Arequipa to Cuzco (29-30/May/06)

Cuzco, Peru

Met up with out two Peruvian friends for the proper tour of Arequipa, so we walked around the centre for a few hours and visited a few of the churches. Then they invited us to their house for a typical lunch and then we went off to Arequipa’s most famous attraction, the Santa Catalina monastery (well, convent). A steep entrance fee, but well worth it, even if you are a bit overdosed on colonial architecture and religious buildings. It’s like a small Spanish village, with small streets and houses, all made of stone, but painted red and blue instead of white. Spent ages in there, had a small siesta, and then went to the bar we had met our new friends for a goodbye drink (well, more than one actually). They were so sweet they even got us a goodbye souvenir.

Next day’s wake-up call was a 10 second 5.4 tremor (who needs an alarm clock in Arequipa!?) and we ran to the nearest safety point, only to find ourselves alone there – apparently earthquakes are not a big deal here unless a few houses get flattened, this one didn’t even make the local news (though I liked Esther’s quote "I’m completely within my rights to be shit scared"). Got on the 11h bus to Cuzco and now have a few days free here before we go off on the Inca trail; I’m sure we will find plenty to do. First on the list is some kayaking.