Arequipa
Last day, we leave late from the campsite to reach the "Mercado San Camilo". The market is more than 140 years old and is considered as the Historic Monumental Heritage of the city and also the Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru.
It’s a real pleasure to find a market worthy of the name. Throughout our journey in Peru it is the second cleanest and appetizing market. In general the stalls are poor, poorly organized and not always very clean, which do not make you want to buy.
Of course we shop there.
Previously we were looking for a store where Christophe had spotted a fleece vest that we can no longer find ... " Que mala pata " or what a jinx!!
Our afternoon is dedicated to the website.
Arequipa
We continue our exploration of the city.
* Monastario Santa Teresa: It was founded in 1710. After many years, the Community of Nuns opened the Museo de Arte Virreinal , with the aim of rebuilding the monastery after the damage caused by the earthquake of 2001, to present hundreds of objects from important collections belonging to the former cloister of the Offices of Peru from the 16th to the 19th century
* Covento San Francisco: It was built by the Franciscans and ordered by Viceroy Francisco Toledo in 1572. Its architecture is simple and has a single bell tower, It is distinguished by an impressive art gallery and a library of more than 20 000 books, but especially by "The genealogy of the Franciscan order", a canvas of the largest in South America.
* Monastario de le Recoleta: A masterpiece of colonial architecture, it houses four magnificent cloisters. Its many rooms display mummies, masks, objects and animals brought back from missionary expeditions in the Amazon, as well as religious and pre-Hispanic works of art, convent utensils and ancient photographs. The bookstore gathers 20,000 books, documents and maps.
We spend the whole day walking in different districts with visits of monuments. And always after lunch we enjoy an ice cream!!!
Back at the camper we make every night a stop in a supermarket very well attended which makes a change to what we’re used to.
Arequipa
We have a busy day ahead of us.
Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. It nestles at 2,300 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Misti, Picchu Picchu and Chachani volcanoes.
Spanish settlers took advantage of the sillar, the white stones from the volcanic rock, for the construction of the city centre.
Recognised as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site since 2000, Arequipenian architecture is unique.
It prides itself on being at the centre of an exceptional region, home to some of the deepest canyons on the planet, active volcanoes, hot springs, mountains with desert beauty.
Before starting our visit, we look for for a laundromat. In fact, we travel almost every day and it is difficult for us to leave our laundry in a laundromat that usually requires 24 hours.
For example, today we have 11 kg of laundry!!!
Glad to have found one, we begin our day of visit by:
* Iglesia de la Compañía: A marvellous example of a mixture of Catholic and Andean traditions, whose baroque façade surprises with the richness of its bas-reliefs. The interior houses altars and altarpieces decorated with gold leaf. The splendid "Capilla de San Ignacio" is covered with 17th century frescoes depicting a tropical Eden.
* Covento de Santa Catalina: It is a place full of history and traditions.
It was founded in 1579 by the rich widow María de Guzman, who wanted to found a retreat for the nuns.
Over the years, it has become one of the most important monasteries in Latin America, housing up to 400 nuns at its peak.
The Convent is a real architectural feat and a maze of cobbled streets, flowery patios and bright colors, which has retained all its original charm
Some sites need to be accompanied for a better understanding the paper guides not being sufficient. This is the case of this convent, so we explore it with a guide who lived 5 years in Paris that she adored.
We stroll through this 20,000 m² religious complex protected by high walls, while discovering the life of the nuns. Between the Kitchen, dwellings, church, cloister, convent is a real city in the city.
Isolated from the rest of the world, this citadel allowed women to find refuge there in exchange for services to the nuns. Among her, Sister Ana de Los Angeles is known for having been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1985
After lunch visit of the Museo Arqueológico de la Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM), although very small it presents beautiful pre-Inca ceramics
Return to the campsite for a well-deserved rest
Arequipa
We bivouacked at a gas station and usually fill up with gas to thank them.
Well ! Today no more diesel in the station!! We have more than 200 km to drive and we start every day with the full gas tank.
Since the beginning of our odyssey we have always preferred the stations of the big distributors in order to be sure of the quality.
Today, for the first time, we deviate from our rule and make a small filling in an unknown station before starting our crossing of the Altiplano.
In Peru the majority of stations do not belong to the network of major brands. We asked advice from a taxi driver who strongly advised against independents. But today we have no choice.
We are reassured and we can continue our journey.
We are always amazed by the diversity of landscapes.
The road is not the best but we’re getting used to it.
The arrival in Aréquipa is laborious. The camping hotel recommended by Christelle and Laurent is almost in the city centre and we have to cross the whole city in huge traffic jams.
It takes us 1 hour to reach our final destination.
After our installation we take a little tour of the city. Immediately we feel very good... The general atmosphere is most cordial and the beauty of the mansions add a little extra.
ROAD BOOK 150
MAVROS ODYSSEE