Uneventful flight from Cusco, in less than an hour we arrive in Areqipa. Three vulcanoes in vicinity of the million city in southern Peru, 2.335m above sea level. Today it is the second largest and economically second strongest metropolis of Peru after Lima. Also it is the province capitol of the eponymous province of Arequipa.
View from the roof terrace of our hotel: Misti vulcano
Conquistador Diego de Almagro captured the surrounding area of Arequipa in 1537. The Spanish Leutnant Garcí Manuel de Carbajal founded on 15 August 1540 die city „Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción del Valle Hermoso de Arequipa“. On 22 September 1541, the monarch Carlos V ordered that it should be called the “City of Arequipa”.
Local legend tells that subjects of the Inka king Mayta Capac asked him for permission to stay in the beautiful landscape with mild climate. His answer: “Ari qhipay” (Quechua: “Yes, stay”).
Plaza de Armas
Many cities of the Castilian Crown were established in the same manner: The main square of the town is surrounded by governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. Many cities of Latin America followed this standard fashion. The central square is often called Plaza de Armas (= Weapons Square) because it used to be a parade ground, from which arms would be supplied to the defenders in case of an attack upon the city.
The cathedral of Arequipa at Plaza de Armas
It is pleasantly warm at 24°C and sunshine to explore the city. Many street hawkers on the Plaza de Armas offer a cup of coffee, a liquor, a cup of ice cream or a chocolate bar, a lollipop in their sales mix.
Cloister and inner courtyard of the Jesuit church, not far away from Plaza de Armas
Not a special phenomenon of Arequipa, but this occurrence is often seen in many cities of Peru. How do the vendors earn enough to cover their daily need? This question can simply not be answered by a tourist!
San Augustin church
Few streets around Plaza de Armas are closed for car traffic. Otherwise the city is noisy, vivacious and lively, full of cars and buses.
San Camillo Market
Santa Catalina
A citadel with high wall in the middle of a city: the convent of nuns of the Dominican Second Order of Santa Catalina de Siena. Both, Santa Catalina and the historic centre of Arequipa, are declared as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1579 it offered security and protection for women who dedicated themselves to God and lived a life secluded from the secular world.
Santa Catalina
Doña María de Guzmán decided to seclude herself in the monastery under construction, giving up all her assets. The memory of the foundation of the monastery was made, signed by the city regiment and the bishopric of Cusco, naming María de Guzmán as the “First settler and prioress of said Monastery”. Four plots of land of the town were assigned to the convent.
Cloister de los Naranjos (cloister of the orange trees)
In order to be admitted the women had to stay in trial for a year and bring their own dowry for that period. Many of them left the convent never again. There is a mortuary and a cemetery within the citadel.
A dwelling unit
The alleys in the monastery are named after the Spanish cities. Simple dwelling with a bed in the corner, a trunk for personal belongings, a chair and a crucifix on the wall.
White alley
The women who entered the monastery as nuns were white and wealthy criollas (people of full Spanish descent) and mestizas (descent of mix European and indigenous non-European).
Laundry
At times up to 150 nuns and 300 servant maids who did the housework inhabited the citadel. The nuns lived in religious enclosure.
Red alley
Better dwellings have their own kitchen and sitting room. Some even have a clarinet.
There is a central bath for the nuns.
Since renovation work is taken in 1970 the convent is opened to the public. Around 20 nuns still live in the northern area of the complex.
Summary
It was an eventful holiday. We have learnt a lot from the culture and the nature. Peru is a developing country with potentials. The people is hospitable. We have improved our Spanish.
Free of charge cash withdrawal is only possible at Multired-ATM of Banco da la nación, rather available in normal business and banking areas, not in tourist hotspots or at airports. Maxium of daily limit = 800 Soles = 200€.
VISA / Mastercard are accepted for small payments in supermarkets and restaurants. For large amount USD is also wellcomed.
Lunch menu is available for 12 Soles = 3€ for normal working people. We got a chicha morada, a soup, three main courses to choose, for example arroz con pollo, rice with chicken, and a jelly pudding as dessert. No VISA acceptance and no toilette facility here, of course. Having a quick meal and return to work. Looking at us the chef made a joke: There will be a menu touristico in the future 🙂
Booking a taxi works well with Indrive-App, to be installed when you are there.
New prepaid SIM card (= prepago) is available for 2 weeks and 4 GB internet for 10€. A passport is required. The Claro sale man will do the registration for you. Refill of the prepaid card (= postpago) for further 2 weeks can be done online for 2.50€.
Laundry service can be found everywhere in town. Return next day costs 5 Soles (= 1,25€) per Kilo, return same day = 10 Soles (= 2,50€). Service by the hotel will take the double amount.
Thanks for the nice time, Peru!
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