PERU
Country Overview:
"Arequipa, the white city of Peru and the gateway to the Colca Canyon, offers travelers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty."
Located in the heart of southern Peru, Arequipa is a city that showcases the best of what the country has to offer. From its stunning colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage, to its beautiful natural surroundings and delicious cuisine, Arequipa has something for everyone. Arequipa is a hidden gem — it's a place where you can experience the very best of Peruvian culture and history, all while enjoying the beauty of the Andes mountains and the Colca Canyon. Whether you're looking to explore the city's historic center, sample its delicious cuisine, or simply relax in its peaceful surroundings, Arequipa should definitely be on your travel list.
I lived in Arequipa, Peru from September 2011 to November 2012. I taught English, practiced Muay Thai, and got really into learning Peruvian slang. I also visited Lima, Cuzco, Colca Canyon, and Playa Mollendo.
Central America
Although I lived in El Salvador in 2011 and traveled through Central America before I had my blog, I found a write-up I emailed to a friend.
Here’s how my girlfriend at the time and I did Central America:
From Santa Tecla, we took Ticabus to Guatemala City and found a taxi that took us to Antigua. He helped us find a hotel and was patient with my sub-par Spanish. Antigua has some American bars and is a bit touristy, but they have an awesome market, and I bought a lot of soccer jerseys for cheap. We were there for some political campaigns - FMLN & others - so it was cool to watch those processions. We stayed in Antigua for a couple of days, then took a minibus directly from our hotel, crossed the border into Honduras and went to Copán Ruinas. We stayed in Copán for a few days, which was nice. They had street fairs with delicious food, and the locals were helpful in directional assistance. The ruins were amazing. Then we took a school bus (not ticabus) from Copán to Tegucigalpa and stayed the night there (the bus didn’t leave until the next morning). Tegucigalpa wasn’t very clean, and we didn’t go out because the locals told us it was too dangerous. From there, we took Ticabus to Managua, met a couple from Australia, and took a taxi from Managua to Granada (it was cheaper than a bus and faster). Granada was awesome. We stayed in a hotel for a couple of days then took a bus from Granada to Rivas, then a taxi directly to San Juan Del Sur. Easily the most beautiful place we visited. We were in San Juan Del Sur, about two blocks from the beach. The ocean was about 60-65 degrees and gorgeous. We stayed for a few days then took Ticabus to San Jose, Costa Rica, to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The day after the concert, we took a 19-hour Ticabus from San Jose back to San Salvador and then a taxi back to Santa Tecla.
Ticabus tickets -$18 or so per person
Hotels - $20-$25 a night average for both people (one bed)
Food - Cheap and delicous
Souvenirs - We bought a lot, street vendors are everywhere with jewelry, toys, etc.
Alcohol - Cheaper than the states
I loved every place we visited, and Ticabus is an affordable and convenient way to get through Central America. I think we took a King quality bus at least once and it was nice as well - tv, toilets, big seats. I loved traveling through Central America. I’ll never forget the trip I had, such an amazing experience.
La Puerta Del Sol
Hiked up to ‘La puerta del Sol’ and got an amazing view of Machu Picchu. It really is quite different seeing it in person rather than laboriously studying the facts in a textbook for a history exam.
More MP Pics
More pics from Machu Picchu
On an unrelated note, being back in Boise, Idaho has been interesting so far. My English is terrible, I drive really slow, and I feel overwhelmed by the amount of choices we as Americans have. I went to Fred Meyer’s this afternoon and there were 6 types of roast beef to choose from, then I was asked what thickness I wanted it cut at. What? I don’t know lady, just put half a pound in a bag and ring me up. The States and Peru are definitely 2 different worlds.
Of course...
At the Denver airport for the next 7 hours until my flight to Boise hopefully takes off. It’s weird being back in the States and hearing so many people speak ‘good’ English and feeling cold. It’s snowing here in good 'ol Colorado. It’s always weird seeing so many blondes. On one hand, it’s nice to be back in the States and have this thing called 'efficiency’, but on the other, I am going to miss the lack of structure in Peru. For anyone that’s lived anywhere except Miraflores in Lima, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
More from MP in Peru
No big deal, just one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world. WHAT’S UP MACHU PICCHU!?!
And just for kicks, I thought I’d whip out ‘The Easterner’ and give it a read seeing as how I was so bored. Proud to be an Eagle?
Translate Fail
Even if they were using a translator, they still somehow managed to screw it up. As my 13 months in Arequipa come to a close, I can't help but reflect back on the whirlwind of an adventure I've had. My thanks go out to all those who made Peru an unforgettable experience. This country has opened my eyes, changed my perspectives, and humbled me more than I could have expected. I wish everyone the best and I'll see you in the future. Much love and many thanks Arequipa.
Wait wait wait...
Oh hello there,
It’s your last night in Arequipa and you want to go out?
How nice, here’s a never ending rainstorm and yes, we’re aware that there are no street drains, so the streets will turn into rivers. But seriously, have a good time
Sincerely,
Arequipan Weather
Camana, Peru
These are some fotos taken in Camaná, Peru. It’s always nice to get out of Arequipa, if only for the weekend. I’ve got less than a week left in AQP until I am off to Cuzco and then the States. It’s been an incredible 13 months and I am absolutely going to miss Peru.
Doritos what?!
Every bag of Doritos I have eaten in the past month or so has come with a mini packet of Ketchup or Mustard. I don’t know if this is a world wide promotional thing, or if they are just catering to the fact that Peruvians eat their chips in the most disgusting way possible.