When we arrived in Arequipa on the overnight bus from Nasca, we learned that there had been a devastating earthquake that practically demolished a small town in Colca Canyon 3 hours away the previous evening. As a result we were able to feel a few of the aftershocks, which the locals say is no big deal as it happens all the time. I’m not sure about that, when the ground moves it’s a pretty big deal for me.
Arequipa is called the Ciudad Blanca or white city as many of the houses and buildings were constructed with white sillar stone. The stone actually comes from hardened ash of the nearby El Misti volcano. We were able to see this stone up close during our white water rafting trip. There was an older woman in our group who had zip lined the week before and was going bungie jumping the following week. Can someone please give me some of her courage! The rafting was Class III but felt a little risky due to all the rocks. The boat either bounced off or went right over them.
View of the river with Misti in the background.
From top left: Jon happy and ready to go, rafting the river, me jumping into the ice cold river.
What we ate, in Arequipa we tried two of their specialties, chupe de camerones, a soup with giant, tender river shrimp, and Rocoto Relleno (stuffed chili). Both were delicious and were enjoyed from a rooftop restaurant with views of the floodlit cathedral. I also stood in line for some famous picarones and tried the queso helaldo (cheese ice cream) with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Picarones covered in honey and he eating cheese ice cream.
Where we stayed, La Casa de Sillar, a small family run hotel close to the center in a beautiful colonial building. We had a private room with a makeshift bathroom for about $20 a night including breakfast. There was a nice outside area and a tour office inside the hotel.
Entrance into Casa de Sillar.
Journey with Christina 