Peru - Arequipa

We took an overnight bus to Arequipa.  It was a very fancy bus with plush chairs that reclined to nearly a horizontal level. However even with the comfy chairs, it was not the most restful night.  For one, the air conditioning unit sounded like a jet engine that would cycle through all its fan speeds. But what made it worse was the bus driver who thought he was driving in a F1 race, it made some of us a tad green.  It was no surprise that we arrived an hour early on a 9 hour bus trip.  At least we made it all in one piece and with all our luggage! 

When we arrived in Arequipa, we did not realise just how big of a city it is.  Luckily, we stayed near the old historical centre, and that allowed us to explore with ease.  It definitely has a Spanish/Mediterranean architecture, but not quite the feel.  If there were more cafes on the side walks, then it would have fitted perfectly on the coast. 

With its Spanish influence, we got to see quite a few churches.  Easily recognisable inside as Catholic, with exploding golden opulence.  Lots of interesting conversation with the girls about religion, but this time on catholic confessionals and sin.  Light and fun topics for the whole family… 

One of the highlights of Arequipa was a cooking class with a local family.  But first we had to go to the market to buy the fresh ingredients!  That was a fun experience in itself! We got some fresh potatoes, and luckily we had a local guide to help us as there was a huge selection of potatoes, various veg and also some fruits. 

The market was definitely a colourful place, as down one side you have a huge selection of hats, then vegetables and fruit, a fish section and a meat section and then various other products like flowers.  In the meat section we did see 2 things that you would not normally find back at home: 1) bulls testicles that are usually boiled with garlic and then served in a salad and 2) guinea pig which they fry up whole so that it gets served with the head… 

At the local’s home, we all got stuck in with the peeling and chopping to make two very local dishes:

• Cauche de queso.  This was a milk based dish that has a great combination of cheese, onions, garlic, paprika and all spice that is poured over a very yellow potato (with the consistency of egg yoke). Normally as a starter, and very yummy.
• Lomo Saltado.  This is a beef based dish (but can also use chicken) that is fried up in soy sauce, onions and tomatoes.  It is then served with both garlic rice and french fries. The meat portion was delicious, but a bit too much on the starch. 
• Queso Helado. A very Arequipan desert, that while they call it cheese ice cream does not actually use any cheese, but has the colour of yellow cheese. It reminded us of the South African milk tart, but in ice cream version.  Basically vanilla ice cream with cinnamon and cloves. 

It has been fun exploring Arequipa, during the evening as it is alive with people.  One evening we just sat at the steps by the cathedral, eating a yummy pudding and just watching the local people go by. Tomorrow we set off to Colco Canyon.