Saturday in Arequipa
Trip Start
May 18, 2007
1
15
43
Trip End
Jul 28, 2007
Arequipa,
Peru
Saturday, June 16, 2007
After chatting with Doris for a while, I walked to the Casa de Avila, then called home (with some frustrations, as the line kept dropping) to wish my Dad a happy Fathers' Day, and then into the centre of town. Arequipa is known as the White City, because several buildings, including the whole Plaza de Armas, are made of sillar, which is pale-grey volcanic rock. Under the bright sun, with blue skies above, it is absolutely charming. I walked beyond the Plaza, up the Calle Jerusalen, and all the way to the large park known as Parque Selva Alegre (Happy Jungle?). I crossed over to Santa Catalina avenue, bought a T-shirt (fair trade cotton) and a silver Inca cross, and some very nice chocolate for Doris and Luis, who were expecting their children and grand-children Sunday for Fathers' Day
01 - My room in Doris and Luis's home
.I bought loads of fruit at the local supermarket, and came back to the Casa de Avila, where, with everyone else from GVI, we prepared a very nice BBQ in the afternoon. We had hash brown skillet, grilled chicken, salads of all kinds, guacamole, and for dessert, a fresh fruit salad. We got to meet Cynthia, our newest volunteer. The entertainment was provided by Charlie, who first got the volleyball stuck high in a tree, then one of his flip-flops as he threw it at the ball. Barefoot, he decided to climb the tree. Bad idea... A few scrapes and cuts later, he had to admit defeat, and dropped a few feet to the ground, while Armando and Daz, using a ladder, quickly freed the ball, and Charlie's flip-flop. He has not heard the end of that one yet.
After lots of food and some nice drinks, with everyone feeling a bit mellow, the day turned into a cool evening, and a new party, as the personnel from the Casa de Avila had their own farewell party for Chrissie and Daz. The highlight of that party was the arrival of a group of Mariachis, who entertained us for a couple of hours, with great Latin music. We danced quite a bit, which had us all so tired that we all called it a night around 10pm.
Nice, mellow day, great weather, great friends.... Ah... I love Saturdays like that.
