After a happy 5 weeks under your rain clouds, sunshine, historical center made of sillar -white volcanic stone- and the great shadow of Mt. Misti, we would like to say thank you.
Thank you for providing us hospital San Juan de Dios where we shared so many irreplacable smiles and stories with children all around the region.
Your outlying lands are full of beautiful fields, ancient andina farms, antique Spanish mansions and the pueblo of San Isidro where we were able to meet and greet so many lovely school children and the wonderful volunteers of Intiwawa.
We enjoyed our stay in the elegant neighborhood Vallecito, passing by parks and friendly families everytime we walked home.
De puta madre carajo, your amiable Pichin (the hostal owner we stayed with 4 weeks) was an excellent teacher of Arequipan slang and bought us our first cuy (guinea pig) lunch.
In 12 de Octubre (where we stayed one week more) we lived in a family setting and came to realize how fast you´re changing generation to generation. Your people are still working hard to support and build you, but, for example, no longer need the hearty energy of the old typical plates to get them thorough laborous workdays.
We got to know your bus terminal well, as we worked for the hostal to invite travelers in. Thank you for your proximity to Chile, we were able to meet so many great friends in the hostal and are anxiously anticipating visiting all of them after we make our rounds in Bolivia!
The meeting of three cordilleras (mountain ranges) gave you a magical feel, and our trip to Colca Canyon - the worlds deepest canyon- was truly unforgettable!
Almost every Arequipeñan we met had a natural and enjoyable air to them. Whether they gained tips for juggling in the streets, owned their own shops, worked in the surrounding mines, or as gourmet chefs, tourist guides, doctors, bartenders or teachers, each of them was more than willing to share a piece of their lives, invite us out for a traditional meal, or just stop us on the streets to start up where our last conversation left off.
Carnaval was maybe the funnest festival weve ever been to. Spending Saturday in your picturesque Plaza de Armas we watched the parade, as well as all the happy spectators. Poorly armed, and obviously foreign, we were targeted by all the fun Carnaval had to offer. Fun which took the form of buckets of water (retrieved from the centerpiece fountain of the Plaza), spray foam canisters, confetti, water balloons, water guns and more. Our laughter only paused when we were wiping foam out of our eyes.
Also, we will never forget that Arequipa was the place were our Salsa skills transformed from gringo normal, to smokin.
Thank you again Arequipa, you will always live in our memories :)
Love,
Emily, Courtney and Lisa
Fotos:
of Arequipa and Colca Canyon:
https://picasaweb.google.com/courtneybratrude/Arequipa#
Of Clinica San Juan de Dios:
https://picasaweb.google.com/courtneybratrude/20110312Courtney#
