Arequipa

We have spent today in Peru's second largest city, called the 'white city' for its beautifully preserved cityscape in the centre going back to colonial times. The building material, soft 'sillas' volcanic stone, hails from the nearby volcanoes, which are still active, and it allows for intricate carvings. The softness is no problem, as there is no acid rain here👍
The market is a unique feast of colour with all the produce from the fertile soil in this area. We've also visited one of the main attractions, the Santa Catalina Monastery, a Dominican nunnery - a huge complex amply provided for by the Catholic church ( a large and rich landowner around here and exempt from taxes, of course🤔😏). In the evening, we sample some more of the excellent Peruvian food - and I have my first Diamox pill to ward off altitude sickness in preparation for things to come ...Read more