I've been in the country for a grand total of 7 full days. While I've only been in the country for such a short time I've already seen enough to become thoroughly infatuated with the entirety of it, love handles and all.
Arequipa
Secound biggest city in Peru really translates into a city of less than 800,000. While the city isn't actually enormous, the backdrop of 5000 & 6000m mountains leaves you feeling oh so powerless in this city. It's quite a powerful image.. That I unfortunately didn't capture. However a beautiful plaza paired with a great indoor Market left me with handfuls of figs, cucumber melons, strawberries, grapes and passionfruits. Gooseberries, pineapples and nonis too.. Simply a fruitgasm. This was also the city where I finally got a haircut! To be able to feel one's toque against the side of one's head is simply a beautiful thing. Did I mention destroying a giant ripping hot half roasted chicken plate in about 6 minutes..? As Juan would put it "absolutely phenomenal."
Colca Canyon
World's second deepest canyon. Two days of trekking. 28km. 3:30am start time. We started the trek with a few hours of descending into the canyon with a blistering hot sun above us and a backpack full of water. We had a fantastic guide, showing us all sorts of poisonous and medicinal plants that could burn our eyes out or cure us of all sorts of complications. Why write about anything else when I can just throw in a photo of the beautiful landscape and be done with it anyway? ;)
Day two involved waking up at 430am and starting the final three hour hike ascending 1200m. I've been feeling pretty sick since attempting Huayna Potosi and to finally have my strength back felt absolutely brilliant. Again, photo photo photo.
Cusco
This city is gorgeous. Small enough to walk around but big enough to have a little of everything. The market here is probably even better than the one in Arequipa and has everything you might need, two dollar set lunches, roasted lechon, pretty juice ladies, ancient potato ladies slicing papas by hand and even the neccessary stray dogs for that authentic feel. The Plaza de Armas and Cathedrals are stunning while the pace of the city is tranquil enough. Did I mention I went bungee jumping here? Because that's definitely a typical Peruvian activity.
Currently off on a night bus that will take me to the Amazon Jungle in Puerto Maldonado for a few days to see all sorts of wild things. Unfortunately there are no Pink Dolphins in this region.. (Just for you Sally) and then I come back and immediately set off for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!
Will be out of contact for.. Quite some time. Love you all!
Channy
Instagram - itsnathanchan
October 18, 2014 - Milhouse Hostel, Cusco, Peru
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