Nuns with attitude

Arequipa was a great place, with a huge central square where people in traditional dress would come to chat, sell their wares or in some cases beg. Watching the bargaining, romantic trysts and general hubbub was great fun. Lovely textiles there and we succumbed to buying a couple of nice things.

Of greatest interest though was the Convent of Santa Catalina. This had been founded in the 16^th century for the 2^nd daughters of the wealthy, who traditionally became nuns. These were nuns with a difference though… they had servants and slaves, invited musicians to play and generally spent their time gambling and having a great time. The local shops sold outrageous trinkets showing drunken nuns playing cards.

This went on for about 300 years until the pope decided to bring them into line. The community there however, is still the most emancipated, owning all the land and taking the profits from tourism. It really was a town within a town and we were grateful to have a guide to show us around.