Arequipa

Left the coast for the first mountain town of Arequipa. A beautiful city, full of history. The cathedral and other buildings are carved out of white rock, that looks amazing in the evening light. Our friend at the hotel taught us to chew coca leaves, and life generally slowed down a bit, while I got used to the higher altitude. Discovery of Peruvian market life - very often the best and cheapest places to eat, and you gradually figure out exactly what you are eating too, by visiting the stalls. If a Peruvian invites you to dinner and asks polietly if you eat everything - this is a trick question, be carefull; if you say yes you might end up with a bowl of soup with half a sheep's head floating in it.
I took the time to learn a bit more about the Inca culture, and visited the Ice Princess, Juanita, a frozen mummy discovered in a volcanic crater not long ago. The Incas would sacrifice royal children who had been bought up for precisely this purpose, to travel to heaven on behalf of their people. The traditions and religion of the Incas, paint a picture of a very beautiful, but cruel culture, living in harmony with the land.

Visited a beatifull monastery; Santa Catalina. This huge network of brightly coloured rooms and passages was home to the daughters of some of the richest citizens in Peru. A life of chastesy and solitude, but a life in luxury.