Around Arequipa

We spent our first full day in Arequipa with two fellows from Dawson City, Yukon. In the morning, we inquired about booking a tour for the following day either a trek through the Colca Canyon (second deepest in the world) or biking down one of the volcanos bordering the city. We decided mid-day that we wanted to head south sooner than later and made plans to leave for Tacna, Peru the next day instead. We spent the afternoon at the Santa Catalina de Siena Monastery with our two new friends from the Yukon. This White City of Arequipa was begun in 1579/1580, forty years after the city was founded. The monastery was enlarged over the centuries until it became a city within the city, about 20000 sq./m. in total and covering a good sized city block. At one time, 450 nuns and their lay servants resided within the community, closed off from the city by high walls. As we toured the monastery, we walked down narrow streets named for Spanish locales, passed through arched colonnades surrounding courtyards, some with fountains, flowering plants and trees. We lingered in churches and chapels. We looked into private rooms, each with small patios, common areas like the colonnades, and the utilitarian areas such as kitchen, laundry and outdoor drying area. It was very impressive. As the day passed, we became more and more aware of the protest taking place within the city and throughout Peru. The farmers are unhappy (farming costs are high and prices for the food is low). They have set-up blockades around the city and departing by bus will be extremely difficult. We are attempting to leave Arequipa tonight for the southern border town of Tacna. If we are not successful, we will be in Arequipa for at least another day.