Last days in Peru

Trip Start Feb 10, 2006

Trip End Feb 01, 2007

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Flag of Peru Arequipa, Peru
Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Our last port of call before heading to Chile...Arequipa is a little different from all the other cities we´ve visited in Peru and the locals are keen to keep that image and still make grumblings about ´independence´. Can´t see that happening somehow.

The plaza is beautiful with a huge cathedral taking up one whole side. The shops are brimming with gorgeous (if overpriced goodies) and the fruit and ice-cream is bountiful. But the real highlight, without a doubt, is the nunnery! It was home to about 400 nuns at one time and has it´s own streets, houses and even an infirmary. By 1970, novices and dowries were in short supply so the place was opened up to the public and the remaining nuns moved back into one small, sealed corner. The rest you can spend all day pottering round and it´s stunning. Not at all what you imagine women who have made vows of ´loyalty, poverty and chastity´ to be living like. The place is a riot of bright colours and spacious rooms. The first nuns even had servants and maids! Nowadays, they survive on the tourist entrance tickets and make trinkets to be sold in the shop.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

A) Street lamps	B) Cathedral and gates	C) Stained glass window	D) Old building
E) Plaza and pedestrians	F) Cathedral and plaza	G) Taxis	H) Up market shops
I) Santa Catalina Convent	J) Inside convent	K) Riot of colour	L) Streets inside convent
M) Doorways	N) Bed, simple but stylish don´t you think?	O) Blue paint, well used!	P) Nun in bed
Q) Wheelchair	R) Crosses	S) Any one for poison?	T) Outside the hospital
U) Harp	V) Oven	W) Laundry	X) Fountain
Y) Ouch!