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.

Degen Hill 11/10/12 Degen Hill 11/10/12

Garbage Truck

Degen Hill 10/8/12 Degen Hill 10/8/12

Ah Sundays. It’s a rather mellow day here in Peru and here are 2 pictures of vacant streets to prove it.

Degen Hill 6/27/12 Degen Hill 6/27/12

2nd picture is of my buddy’s place and it’s a bit odd. There’s a giant hallway with rooms on both sides including a kitchen, but no common area to hangout. Not a great house to socialize in, but the hallway’s real nice.

Taught my students ‘Don’t knock it til you try it’. So shout-out today goes to my main man Trotter and his world famous 'I wanna puke watching you eat that’ sandwiches. Nothing like a peanut butter, ham, mayonnaise and jelly sandwich to make someone want to hurl. I miss you buddy and I hope that you and squidders are doing well in Cheneytown!

Degen Hill 3/9/12 Degen Hill 3/9/12

Got bored on my 6:45 am walk to school and thought, why not be a tourist and take some pictures. The taxi is one of the many thousand here in Arequipa that makes getting around quite easy. “Step your game up” was one of the expressions I am currently teaching my advanced class along with “Nailed it”, “Get away with…” and “Cool story bro”. I would say TGIF, but I have a 4 hour class starting at 8 tomorrow, and I thought being a student was exhausting. Beats working in a bank though. Cheers to the weekend and I hope all of you in Cheney have a delicious, watered-down American beer for me tonight.