The real start of my trip!
Trip Start
Mar 06, 2005
1
5
27
Trip End
May 27, 2005
Arequipa,
Peru
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
So, I spent the morning visiting the Santa Catalina Convent, which was founded in 1579. Unlike most museums that display things out of their context, this convent provided a real glimpse into how the nuns actually lived in the place hundreds of years ago. I wouldn´t have wanted to trade places with them. (See picture of their toilet, for example.) Today, though, the convent is a very beautiful and peaceful refuge in the center of the city Arequipa. Some pictures of the convent are attached.
Other news: I got into a conversation with a Swiss girl who told me that a German girl from her hotel took a taxi to the bus station at 10:00 p.m
Inside Santa Catalina Monastery
. a couple of nights ago to catch a night bus. On the way to the station, the taxi driver stopped and picked up one of his buddies and together, they proceeded to rob the poor girl of all her possessions - and tried to rape her. She managed to escape and make it back to the hotel, where she told her story. In most places in the world, you take a taxi in order to be safe. In Peru, you have to consider that taking a taxi might be even more dangerous than walking, which is itself dangerous in certain parts of town. My travel guide warns about walking in certain areas of the city at night - including the bus station. It advises readers to take taxis - but to also beware that many taxi drivers are thieves. Hm. What else can one do? Anyway, after hearing of this incident, I will take the following precautions: I will not take any night busses; and I will have the receptionist at my hotel call a safe taxi for me. I have already arranged this for my departure from this city tomorrow.Right now though, it is 9 in the morning and things feel quite safe. It is a beautiful sunny day and people seem very friendly. Schoolgirls waved to me from their classroom window; a traffic policeman told me "Buenos dias - and welcome to Arequipa" while I was standing on the corner where he was directing traffic. So it seems to be a place of extremes. Extreme friendliness - and extreme danger.
And finally, just as I was about to sign off at the internet cafe here, a suspicious-looking local lady approached me and asked me if I speak English. I just shook my head no - and to my surprise she accepted that and left without stealing anything, which I am sure was what she had in mind. (The other possibility is that she wanted to give me some money, but somehow I don't think so.)
