Where in the world?

At last I've broken free from the clutches of Cusco!! 6 weeks is a long time in one place for me although must admit it was great to unpack and put my photos in my room.
Arequipa is only 9 hours by bus but the differences are noticeable.
1) there is no-one trying to sell me a tour on the street
2) If I want a massage, pedicure or manicure I will have to find them myself!
3) I can walk on the pavements without risking injury from the Cusco banana-skin pavements
4) Prices are much more to my liking- hostel for 2 nights 24 soles.

Up for a busy old time, 1st trip was to Colca canyon for 1 day trip. I'd been advised by friends that hiking in the canyon wasn't suitable for me (vertigo girl!) so booked the trip and waited to get picked up at 2am yes I said 2am. They were only 20 minutes late which is pretty good by Peru standards. Nearly froze to death on the trip to Chivay and when we arrived at the spot for breakfast we were given blankets. A little like stable door and horse but nevermind. Had the smallest breakfast ever and headed through some villages to the condor lookout. The area is agricultural but now also survives off the tourists. I couldn't believe there were children doing the traditional dance in the main square at 0630am, also people with llamas and falcons for photos.

As ur guide kept reminding us this is their livelihood. The best part was at the condor lookout. Nothing to start but then spotted a couple taking practice flights, after that there was no stopping them. They were everywhere and I can tell you a 2.80m bird flying overhead is pretty impressive! Dad you need to come see them.

The canyon is impressive and I think the 2nd deepest in the world. If you want to know how deep, "google" it!
Stopped on the way back to look at vicuñas, a smaller relative of the llama who are protected in Peru.
Absolutely pooped so early night
Day 2 up early due to usual peruvian taxi drivers horn beeping. In the Uk they'd have been fined for noise pollution! Off to Santa Catalina convent which was built around 1579 and was closed to outsiders for 391 years. One story goes that the nuns who entered were from wealthy families and continued their luxury living inside the convent. Eventually after a few hundred years a stern mother superior took over and the good times changed. Don't know for sure the truth and the convent certainly weren't giving anything away to make the catholic church look bad!!! The convent is huge and has 6 streets inside it. there are still 24 nuns there but you don't see them and they do little of any use except praying and penitance.

Next visit was to see Juanita the ice princess. The body of a young girl was found on a mountain near Arequipa at 6300metres. She had been sacrificed 500 years ago but her organs and much of her skin are intact as she was protected by ice. fascinating insight into the beliefs of the incas and the incredible feat of climbing to the top of a mountain without oxygen, in sandals and with 2500 servants in tow!!!