Cabanaconde: Not a lot to see. It’s really only there to serve the tourists that come to hike Colca. Although small, it was such a cool city; well all 4 blocks of it. Being there takes you back to a simpler time of life. Street food cooked over open coals, native indigenous clothing, and mules, donkeys, and horses as the normal means of transportation. Only challenge of the city was watching where I stepped. 

The last picture isn’t Cabanaconde, just some little pueblo on the way. Aren’t you glad there is a structure to these pictures?

Just some random pictures from around Arequipa. It’s a bit of a trip seeing shanty houses with trash everywhere and in the same block there’ll be a giant colonial style house. 

Leaving for Chile at 6am tomorrow so although I won’t post anything over the weekend, I’ll be busy racking up the pictures for when I return. I’m praying to the border gods tonight that I get a 6 month visa. And on that note I’m off to bed, anxiously anticipating my 6 hour bus ride in the morning. 

I’m a big fan of all the pastel colors used in Latin American countries. A majority of cities in the States are characterized by big concrete buildings plated with glass and steel which make me feel cold. Having traveled through Central America and Peru / Chile, I much prefer the pastel color schemes and vibrant chalk-drawn signs offering daily specials. 

I got asked for directions today by a Peruvian and truth be told, it felt pretty good. There I stood, reveling in the fact that he didn’t think I was another bumbling tourist, oblivious to the difference between ‘caleta’ y 'calato’. (big difference by the way). After I had had my moment, I turned toward him, smiled, and said, “no sé”. Always glad to be of service. 

I walk by this yellow house everyday and it’s one of my favorites so far. 

Oh and this is a war hero and the street I work on is named after him: Bolognesi. 

And a guy trimming the trees. I heart Peru. 

View from the kitchen. Arequipa keeps going and going past the roofs. Took a stroll last night and with 11 soles ($4) I bought 9 eggs,1 mango, 1 apple, 1 tomato, 1 onion, and a bag of chips. For $1.50 this morning I had coffee and a pastry. I don’t think I’m going to miss the states. Weather reminds me a lot of an early morning in California. Cool, mild breeze, a bit of sun / clouds and no humidity. Plan for the day: To not get lost in the ever-winding streets and cobblestone alleys of this city. 

Oh, and since it’s such a prominent holiday, Happy Groundhog day from Peru!