Still Arequipa - hanging out

Day 7
2011-01-15
Arequipa

A nice backyard

The next day was very lazy. After a nice breakfast at our preferred baguetteria we visited a nearby area, did some more shopping, chilled on the terrace and then had dinner at the Soncollay. It was nice to have a day to rest and gain strength for the upcoming tour – the visit of the Colca Canyon!

Maybe now it's a good time to talk a bit about Arequipa. It is a very nice city - not too big - and the historical center where our hotel was located, is very neat. The Plaza del Arma is the central meeting point for either locals and tourists. In Peru life mostly happens outside - which is a normal thing to do when you have such a great climate. You see people walking around, chatting in the parks, sitting on the side of the road, playing music at a corner or having a nice meal or a coffee in one of the small bars and restaurants along the Plaza.

Soncollay kitchen

Peruvians are very friendly and helpful - always open towards foreigners which makes it so comfortable to get around. Whenever you need help or an information, people always try to help even when they're not able to speak english.

Furthermore it was good to take some time out in Arequipa to get used to the altitudes that were about to come in the following days.

That evening after the dinner at Soncollay we got ready for the departure the next morning at 8 am heading to the Colca Canyon.