This was to be a long drive day, so the four of us took over the front seats of the bus where the 
seats faced a table and we settled in for a game of cards. The game was soon abandonned as breath-taking scenery took over. The road follows the coast, but mostly not at sea level, at times with sheer drop offs, sometimes through rocky areas and sometimes simply on the huge sand dunes themselves – how does the road stay there???? There doesn’t seem to be anything preventing it from slipping down the dune. Amazing. 
I generously gave up my seat by the window for keen photographers, and fled to the furtherest side from the edge!
We stopped for lunch on a high dune overlooking some house runins on the beach far below. These were destroyed by a tsunami in 2001. We were joined by 3 small children who looked like they were on their way home from school. They just sat and watched us, but their faces lit up when we gave them a bag full of leftovers. It was also the first of our roadside comfort stops … no bushes or big rocks to be found anywhere!!
More desert, stunning scenery and lush fertile valleys. Wherever they can get water, things will grow, even in the desert.
We arrived at Arequipa late afternoon in time for a city orientation walk. This was our first experience of altitude – about 2700m, and since the first part was uphill we were soon gasping for air. Apparently Arequipa is a very beautiful city, with lots of white stone building material. Sadly, I missed most of it as I struggled with severe headaches in this altitude. Things were not looking good - we were still to go much higher.
Impressions of Arequipa –
Narrow streets, lots of taxis, white block buildings on 2-3 storeys high. Very picturesque city surrounded by high snow capped mountains. No high rise. Lots of beggars, old, disabled – mostly supported by locals more than tourists. Ladies dressed in traditional costume selling dolls and puppets on the street – very persistent. Even in local handicraft stores people were very insistent… ‘otra colors’ … unfolding every one of the items we laid eyes on. Keeps them busy I guess.
Watched 3 small boys doing hand stands in the middle of the street when there was a break in the traffic … then walking down between the cars with hands out for money.
Have started drinking coca tea … the local fix-it for altitude and tummy upsets. Given up drinking coffee over here … it so thick and strong and café con leche is not the way it’s usually served. This is where we stayed in Arequipa.
seats faced a table and we settled in for a game of cards. The game was soon abandonned as breath-taking scenery took over. The road follows the coast, but mostly not at sea level, at times with sheer drop offs, sometimes through rocky areas and sometimes simply on the huge sand dunes themselves – how does the road stay there???? There doesn’t seem to be anything preventing it from slipping down the dune. Amazing. 
I generously gave up my seat by the window for keen photographers, and fled to the furtherest side from the edge!
We stopped for lunch on a high dune overlooking some house runins on the beach far below. These were destroyed by a tsunami in 2001. We were joined by 3 small children who looked like they were on their way home from school. They just sat and watched us, but their faces lit up when we gave them a bag full of leftovers. It was also the first of our roadside comfort stops … no bushes or big rocks to be found anywhere!!
More desert, stunning scenery and lush fertile valleys. Wherever they can get water, things will grow, even in the desert.
We arrived at Arequipa late afternoon in time for a city orientation walk. This was our first experience of altitude – about 2700m, and since the first part was uphill we were soon gasping for air. Apparently Arequipa is a very beautiful city, with lots of white stone building material. Sadly, I missed most of it as I struggled with severe headaches in this altitude. Things were not looking good - we were still to go much higher.
Impressions of Arequipa –
Narrow streets, lots of taxis, white block buildings on 2-3 storeys high. Very picturesque city surrounded by high snow capped mountains. No high rise. Lots of beggars, old, disabled – mostly supported by locals more than tourists. Ladies dressed in traditional costume selling dolls and puppets on the street – very persistent. Even in local handicraft stores people were very insistent… ‘otra colors’ … unfolding every one of the items we laid eyes on. Keeps them busy I guess.
Watched 3 small boys doing hand stands in the middle of the street when there was a break in the traffic … then walking down between the cars with hands out for money.
Have started drinking coca tea … the local fix-it for altitude and tummy upsets. Given up drinking coffee over here … it so thick and strong and café con leche is not the way it’s usually served. This is where we stayed in Arequipa.
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