I am beginning to run out  adjectives to describe this extraordinary beautiful land; arid, barren and unfriendly to human habitation, the desert squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific is the most unlikely place for people to live .  After an 8 hr. bus ride we arrived in Arequipa,

2500 mts above sea level. It is the second most important Peruvian City adorned with colonial churches, mansions and a beautiful convent with stunning backdrop provided by the volcanoes, which dominate the skyline. The Arequipans feel superior to the Limans and resent the idea of the nation revolving around Lima. We, in fact, think the Plaza de Armas is more beautiful than Lima’s Plaza Mayor.

We happened to be in Arequipa on a day of National strikes. People were demonstrating all over Peru, armed with staves,  for higher wages for doctors.

 Santa Catalina Convent is a complete miniature walled colonial town, within a city. It was founded in 1579. It is built from local white volcanic stone. It is considered the most important and prestigious religious building in Peru. It was the home for 200 Nuns from all walks of life.  Only 40 are living there to day.

City within a city, with accommodation for the nuns complete with servants’ quarters and kitchen               

Vaulted cloisters                                          Smart laundry!

We are becoming true tourists and City Tours are the norm in our schedule

Next on the agenda was an Alpaca factory. There are 4 types of cameliad in South America. The Vicunas the best and most expensive wool (US$ 400 a kilo), next the alpaca long and short hair, is now domesticated and we have tasted its meat (nothing exciting) The Lama is a working animal carrying loads of 45 kilos. (Baby Lama’s hair is very expensive, only 200 grms. Harvested per year) the 4^th one we can’t remember the name is of not much use.

  just born

We visited Arequipa Founder’s mansion. It has had a very chequered history but is now in private ownership and is used as a wedding venue. It was rebuilt after various earthquakes.

 Very impressive front door. During the tour I kept thinking of

Mexico and the setting for the film Zoro, it must be the Spanish influence!

Back to the Plaza at night, it was all so prettily lit.