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.
Just ice it...
It feels like I got hit in the face multiple times, probably because that’s exactly what happened. I had 2 fights this morning, the first of which I won because it was strictly boxing and I had 15 kilos on him, and I lost the 2nd for 2 reasons. One, I haven’t trained to block kicks because I’m a boxer and two, he was the 2 time South American Muay Thai Champion (Joseph Cabello). I didn’t stand a chance. I only learned this after I got thrown around like a rag doll for 5 minutes with my friends laughing and saying, “Don’t take it too hard, he’s the Champ for a reason”.
I love this heavy bag. I’ll be splitting the cost with the 70 year old gym owner for a double end boxing bag and can’t wait to get started on that. Nothing quite like punching a bag to relieve the stress of every Peruvian student misspelling ‘beautiful’ & 'quiet’ in each and every piece of writing.
Been jamming to this song all day as the sun shines bright here in Arequipa. As you read this you’re looking at a certified ESL teacher who will start teaching March 5th. Today is my last day of student teaching and I will be on vacation until the 5th, which means I’ll probably be keeping things low key, reading books, doing puzzles etc…
Boxing is going quite well and the 60 year old gym owner said that there are local ‘regulated’ fights in Peru if I was interested. Maybe in a month or so old man, nothing like the only gringo fighter getting the shit beat out of him in a foreign country. For all my friends in the states, I hope the sun is shining and you get an early start on that summer tan.