Peru – Part Cinco (5)

Cuzco, Peru.

August 30, 1999.

The days seem to grow shorter and shorter. ¿Is the summer really coming to an end?

Woke up in Puno and both felt 100%. Walked around town a bit and then hired a taxi driver to take us out to the pre-Columbian ruins of Sillustani. These ruins contain 3 storey pre-Incan funeral towers that are built along the shore of a lake near Lake Titicaca. The landscape is barren but awe-inspiring. The architecture of the towers have confounded modern day archeologists. Nobody seems able to reconstruct any of them. Rocks the size of Toyota 4X4’s have been lifted 30 feet off the ground. The Amaru indian tribe constructed structures that even surpassed the later Incan techniques. Very impressive.

Another 30 minutes later and we were sitting in the airport in Juliaca, Peru. Our flight was delayed an hour but we were rewarded with first class seats. We do not know how this happened but we did not feel the need to complain. If you are in Puno, do NOT miss this place!

30 minutes later we touched down in Arequipa. Worse than the strike, the most disappointing part of the trip is that we only have a mere 12 hours in this city. Driving into town along gorgeous tree-lined streets in beautiful LA-like weather (warm and dry) we knew we wouldn’t have enough time. The next 6 hours would turn out to be another highlight of the trip…Arequipa is our favorite city in Peru!

Checked into the Nunez Hotel which we loved and recommend to anyone

travelling to Arequipa. Housed in an old colonial mansion with 10 foot

ceilings. Aslan would be proud that we slept under a reproduction of the Mona Lisa. The hotel oozed charm and dilapidated elegance. We quickly offloaded the bags and walked up to the balcony where we were treated to a view of the 18,000 foot Misti volcano which overlooks Arequipa. The volcano is perfectly cylindrical, one of the most beautiful volcanoes we have ever seen. It has been dormant for 600 years.

A quick walk took us along palm tree-lined colonial streets to the Plaza de Armas. It is quickly apparent that Arequipa is the most charming town in Peru. We believe even more so than Cuzco (But perhaps maybe just because we arrived at the Plaza de Armas right at sunset).

The colonial street lamps bathed everyone in a golden light. Women selling churros on the street. Children everywhere playing. Families out for Sunday strolls. Couples everywhere, sitting on the plaza fountain. All the churches are open as people stream in and out to attend services or marvel at the 17th C. architecture. How come NOBODY stressed the amazing beauty of this place!?! (Liz?) Tourists are everywhere but doesn’t feel as overwhelming as the hustle and bustle of Cuzco.

Best to all.

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