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.


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Differences...

There’s a 6'5 chubby Colombian guy in my Muay Thai class and our trainer was asking him what he thought about Peruvian girls vs. Colombian girls. Right off the bat, he said Peruvian girls were stuck up. He also said that right now in Colombia, it’s around 35C and in Peru, it’s 16C. Because of this, he said that going to Peruvian clubs, girls are wearing layers upon layers of clothes and he’s bored because there’s nothing to look at. But in Colombia: (At this point, he then pretended to walk like a Colombian girl) “They wear mini skirts and a tiny bra, boom, ready for the club”. hahaha this kid had everyone cracking up 

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New Kicks

The Octagon in the gym where I train Muay Thai and some new kicks I picked up yesterday. Coincidentally, the gym mats and my ‘tavas’ match

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Muay Thai

My buddies fighting. I fought against the guy in the red gloves this morning. Told him to put on the shin guards so he didn’t knock me out when he kicked me. Muay Thai is a lot different than the boxing I am accustomed to. 

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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”. 

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