Yanque Village

Day 15: Today, we drove from our hotel in Colca to Arequipa. Our first stop was at the Yanque village in Colca Canyon. The Franciscan church here was started in 1691 and finished in 1698.

Yanque Dancers–MOVIE

At Yanque, we were treated to young girls dancing.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/–QF3SG51OP4

Colca Canyon

We drove through Colca Canyon again and also traced part of the route that we took two days ago from Puno to Colca Canyon. Photo of Colca Canyon.

Llama Herd

We passed this llama herd.

On the Road

On the other side of this volcano, El Misto, would be our final destination of the day: Arequipa.

Erupting Volcano

We also passed this volcano that we saw erupting yesterday. It is erupting again.

Arequipa

Arequipa and the El Misto volcano. We are at our destination.

I have put my photos of our ride from Colca Canyon to Arequipa on a slideshow. Go to
http://www.peggysphotos.com/colca_canyon_to_arequipa/ Slide Shows, South America, Peru, Colca Canyon, “Colca Cayon to Arequipa”).

Plaza Yanahuara

Our first stop in Arequipa was at the beautiful Plaza Yanahuara. Yanahuara is a neighborhood of Arequipa.

John the Baptist Church

On one side of the Plaza Yanahuara was the 18th–century John the Baptist Church.

Mirador de Yanahuara

Also at the plaza is the Mirador de Yanahuara which gives, through its arches, a panoramic view of Arequipa and its three volcanoes.

La Cuidad Blanca

A view of Arequipa, “La Cuidad Blanca” (“the White City”), from the bus. Many of its building have been built from sillar, a white volcanic rock.

Mercado San Camilo

Our next stop was at the Mercado San Camilo, the main farmers’ market in Arequipa. This was the fourth market I went to in Peru, each one a little different.

Plaza de Armas

La Iglesia y Complejode de la Compana––the Company Church, built by the Jesuits in the 17th century faces the Plaza de Armas, our next stop.

Plaza de Armas

The Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa also borders the Plaza de Armas.

Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena

Nearby the Plaza de Armas is the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena which was founded in 1579 by a rich widow named Maria de Guzman to house the daughters of the Spanish rich. At that time, it was the duty of the second daughters and sons to enter the church. A dowry was a requirement for entry for the rich, though some poor women were also allowed to become nuns. The rich nuns brought along servants and there were also slaves. In 1871, Sister Josefa Cadena was sent by Pope Pius IX to reform the monastery. Dowries were sent back to Europe, all the servants and slaves were freed, and a choice of either being free or to stay in monastery was given to the nuns. Today, a small number of nuns live at the monastery.

Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena

The monastery is a walled citadel that covers almost five acres (20,000 sq. m.). It is like a small city with alleys, passageways, stairs, and small squares.

Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena

One of the small squares.

Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena

One of the passageways with a gallery of old art on its walls.

I have put my photos of Arequipa on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/arequipa/ (Slide Shows, South America, Peru, “Arequipa”).

Farewell Dinner

Day 16: This day, we flew from Arequipa back to Lima and had our farewell dinner at night. Photo: our great tour manager, Julio.

Going Home

Day 17: Today, I flew from Lima to Los Angeles via a very short stopover in San Salvador, El Salvador. A sign at the Lima airport said that if you were flying directly to the United States, you couldn’t bring your own water on the plane. Since I was flying through El Salvador, this didn’t apply to me. But I did receive an email yesterday from United Airlines telling me not to pack powder items in my carry–on, so I packed the coffee I had bought in my checked bag. We had to go through security again at San Salvador and at the security line I was asked if I had any powder in my carry–on. Many people were having their carry–ons searched; mine didn’t have to be. No powders, such as coffee, in carry–ons is a new TSA regulation. Several people have asked me if it is safe to fly through San Salvador. Yes, completely safe. The airport is big and modern, with many stores and restaurants. Photo: The volcano seen when coming into San Salvador.

Father Romero Mural

Actually, I was very happy to be at the San Salvador airport again. I was here in 2015 when flying to Brazil. I had a long layover then and took a tour of San Salvador from the airport. The reason to be happy is that I would again see the mural that the artist, Rafael Escamilla, from El Salvador, who painted my driveway mural, helped paint the mural here at the airport. Photo: the mural of Father Romero, who became a saint on October 14, 2018.

Father Romero Mural

Another view of the mural. I had very little time at the San Salvador airport this time to take photos, but there are more photos of the mural at http://www.peggysphotos.com/el–salvador–april–7–2015/ (Albums, Central America, El Salvador, April 7, 2015).

Father Romero Mural

The artists of the mural: Rafael Escamilla is the great artist who painted the mural along my driveway wall.

Driveway Mural

My driveway wall mural by Rafael Escamilla.