We are stuck in Brazil because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland, haha, what a misery. Well its a good time to do some updating to the blog which is pretty delayed. After Bolivia, on the way to Arequipa the bus broke down and in the end of the day we got to get a glimpse of the Fiesta de Candelaria in Puno. The city was full of dancers who had come from all around Peru to take part of the festival.
Next day we continued to original destination Arequipa. The old town was very beautiful and well maintained.
Because of the rain and the lack of tourists these tourist buses were taking local people around the town.
Central cathedral was illuminated and impressive.
Monasterio ( monastery) de Santa Catalina was place of its own. It occupies a whole quarter and is like a city of its own inside the thick masonry. The history of the monastery is quite interesting as it was founded in 1580 by a rich widow, Maria de Guzman, whose idea of monastery was somewhat different than the tradicion: "Each nun at Santa Catalina had between one and four servants or slaves, and the nuns invited musicians to perform in the convent, gave parties and generally lived a lavish lifestyle."
They lived this fun life for more than 300 years but in 1871 to end this frivolous lifestyle Pope Pius IX sent Sister Josefa Cadena, a strict nun to regenerate the monastery. End of fun! Interested, read more in wiki.
The convent as a construction was peaceful and beautiful. Narrow alleys and stairs that ended up nowhere. Squares and alleys, homes and kitchens of the nuns and the slaves who have been separated from the outer world strolling around these pathways. Its been damaged by several earthquakes during its history but it still had its charm and character.
The kitchens were our favorite. Big masonry ovens and cooking in fire. We got lots of ideas for our new home-to be built-someday-somewhere.
All the alleys were decorated with flowers.
Here the nuns washed their clothes. The water was run in the small canal in the middle and the huge crocks served as washing basins. I could feel the whiz of the old days.
After Arequipa we wanted to rest and headed to the peaceful countryside of Cañon de Colca. We accommodated to Yanque to a nice hotel with sauna. A strange sauna but served us when the air got cold outside.
In the village there was also a thermal bath we we spent nice time soaking in the hot waters.
The landscape was big and fascinating.
We did some biking around...
...to the ruins of a village of normal Inca people...
..where the people were skinny and tall, at least if you looked at the doorways.
The normal day routine of the villagers started early before dawn as they took their animals and kids and went up to the mountain to work on their cultivations. In the evening they returned to the village with their days harvest.
Grandma with her only donkey.
Donkeys and sheep.
This alpaca went shopping to the kiosk.
We made a day trip deeper into the canyon and climbed up this mountain (hill?). I'm proud of my mama and Esko, they did it too.
The view was big and deep.
There was also a small fortress on top of the hill. Well located, to see both directions of the valley.
We met these ancestors too but they didn't talk much.
Posing.
And we ate some sandwiches.
From Colca we took a morning bus to Arequipa airport. Back to Lima.
Last night in Lima. Esko took us to the probably most elegant restaurant I've been to. Old and built over the ocean.
The dinner was delicious and the vine as well.
Night view to the coastline of Lima.
Morning and goodbye. We started the trip towards Chile.
Jihau was our dog in the beach of Jihau. Run after us uphill downhill and barked and guarded us from the invisible strangers.
The mountain was cut like a cake to make the highway straight.
