Our bus trip back to Lima was so good, we now understood the landscape
and the four hours went by in a flash.
Arriving at the bus station in Lima we were inundated by people calling “Taxi! Taxi!”
“Quanta costa?’ “Cuarenta” “No… veinte”
“Done” and we were on our way for half the price.
Mind you the cab was held together by pieces of string and we nearly took out half a dozen cars and people on the way.
Lima airport is efficient and modern and we were soon through to a clean waiting area complete with wifi…we had a couple of hours and so we could skype family and friends and catch up with emails. Always a good feeling to hear from people . Must admit feel that I am living in about 5 different realities at the moment!
As it was only a 2 hour flight we were able to see all the scenery below us. The desert with its paths leading over the hills and dunes, the occasional settlement .. estupenda! A quick snack of tea and sandwiches, complete with cake and chocolate (Roger did well that trip!) and we were there.
We walked across the runway where two large statues of indigenous people, framed by the amazing view of Mt Misty welcomed us with open arms to Arequipa. Mt Misty a stunningly beautiful and supposedly dormant volcano dominates the town. Wondered how on earth anything would survive if it erupted which it could do at any moment!.
We had been told that we would be met by a guide and a sing… by which we assumed there would be a sign… and there it was “Miss Julie”
An hour later we had driven through a medieval landscape of strip farming, mud and daub houses with thatched roofs, cows, pigs and sheep all hobbled and colourful shepherds silhouetted against the sky.
Down a backstreet, honking all the way. Most of the houses here look unfinished, there is no sense of making the outside of a building attractive. We pulled up next to an old looking place made of huge blocks. Suddenly we were into a quiet world of courtyards and gardens.
Our room was huge, with a sitting area and tall doors that opened out onto a lovely private garden.. a real oasis. At $40 per night one of the more expensive hotels, but well worth it!
Our bus trip back to Lima was so good, we now understood the landscape and the four hours went by in a flash. Arriving at the bus station in Lima we were inundated by people calling “Taxi! Taxi!” “Quanta costa?’ “Cuarenta” “No… veinte” “Done” and we were on our way for half the price. Mind you the cab was held together by pieces of string and we nearly took out half a dozen cars and people on the way. 
No comments:
Post a Comment