Arequipa - the White City

Arequipa is a beautiful city - so much so that I extended my stay here for an extra day. It is known as 'La Cuidad Blanca' - the White City - because of its beautiful buildings made of whitish-pink volcanic rock. It is overlooked by three volcanoes - one of them active -and regularly experience earthquakes (although none whilst I was there - phew!). I also visited the monastery where the second born daughter of every family was required to go to become a nun from the age of 12 - although only those from wealthy families got to go to this one. One nun's quarters were larger than my old student flat!Read more