Time for another rip-roaring, adventure-packed weekend with the Meggses. This time, at Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world, only surpassed by the Cotahuasi or however you spell it. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon...so getting too close to the edge can be a little on the intimidating side. Although beautiful, this trip was another exhausting, fast-like-lightening trip. So, it'll be a short description.
Friday night we flew into Arequipa, a city in the mountains. Saturday morning, we work up at 3 AM for a bus to drive us five hours (!) to Cabanaconde, a remote mountain town that could only be described as "the real Peru". The inhabitants still dressed in traditional clothing, which is colorful and lovely to see. Wifi is not around and the main form of entertainment is playing volleyball in the street, which doesn't get interrupted a lot due to the lack of cars. Horseback is still the main form of transport around town. Yet, everyone was kindly in directing us where to go to see things. I mean, they didn't have many signs to begin with, so I'm sure this is the norm for them.
The first thing we saw on our ride (and I think the only thing...we were tired) was the point Cruz del Condor. Here, you can see condors on their flight before they go hunting for food for their babies in the nests. Condors look like terrifying, flying turkeys, but they are quite majestic.
Look at that face. Turkey. Ugly turkey.
When we finally made it to the town, our hostel had to give us a room in the neighboring hotel because an earthquake a few weeks back had made the second floor inhospitable and probably not very safe for us to sleep. So, we got an upgrade for the same price. Neat.
After settling in, we decided to go for a look at the canyon, and maybe do some hiking. This is how I describe the walk to try to just get to the canyon:
Poopy
We had to walk through farmland and tons of crap ridden, muddy "trails", just to get to the starting point. It was gross and I did not approve. Paul just laughed and said how I wouldn't last one second on the farm. Then I proceeded to throw the poo at him. Kidding at that last part. I would've spewed.
We get to the canyon and find a "guard" just sitting there. Unfortunately, we forgot our passes into the canyon and he was being most aggravating. However, we did convince him just to let us have a look...for a tip of 5 soles. Peru is great and I understand how poor it is, but this demand for tips is ridiculous. Granted, it cost us $1 and some, but sometimes just hearing it grates on the nerves. Whatever. The canyon was splendid.
It's almost surreal, looking at it. It almost looks painted, as if we are just standing at a backdrop. Lovely.
We then decided, ok, since hiking into and out of the canyon is something we can't do, let's just do another trail to see the neighboring dormant volcanos and some Incan ruins. Our hostel's guide gave us directions that were just awful. We started walking around and got lost in this one road, goat town a lot more than we care to admit. Pretty soon, we just gave up and went to a wonderful overlook that was much easier to access.
My little piggy friends! I started snorting to talk to them...and they loved it! At least, I'm going to say they did. They ran to me and it was so cute.
On our way to the look out, there's a bull fighting ring. I'm a bull.
Hiking
Oh look! Paul's here too.
Crazy bird that was doing weird things
Sweet bear.
That night, we learned to play a couple of games with a couple of girls from our earlier bus ride at dinner. Then, we decided to see what the stars looked like, as lights were so few here. This was one of my favorite parts. The stars were dazzling and it really humbled us as to how small we are compared to the universe. You could even see the Milky Way. Also, remember, we are looking at a different set of stars, since we are in the southern hemisphere. In the bottom picture, we were weirded out because there wasn't a cross there earlier...later we figured out it was an electricity pole.
Then, I was pretty sure I saw an axe murderer because there was a guy with a flashlight on a neighboring ridge and I got skittish and told Paul we had to scoot. Paul pointed out later that it was just a house without electricity. But I knew better. Flashlights on a ridge= murder.
The next day, we had to return to Arequipa via bus but we did get to see a few more things before we left.
Ridges made by the Incans
We drove through this. There was a longer one that at points the driver would shut off the headlights. Terrifying is the only word for those moments.
Then, the bus stopped for an hour to the hot springs. These were better kept than at Machu Picchu. However, we weren't interested in getting into hot springs when it was hot outside. So, we walked about.
This is where we saw the tons of neighboring volcanos. These rocks were actually set up by the Incans so that when they went on new walks to discover new places, they had a way back home. Although, I don't know how they knew which rock pile was their's.
Mismi volcano-the reason why Arequipa is called the White City, is because of all the volcanic white rock that they used to build the city.
And now, the elusive vicuna. They are little camelids that are indigenous to this area.
That evening before the flight home, we ate at Crepisimo, which was delicious. For less than $20, we each had our own crepes and then a dessert crepe. Wonderful and I recommend it, even though it's French. Sometimes, we need variety.
I will have to say, Paul and I are now crying "uncle". Since the end of May, we have been on the go nonstop, seeing, traveling, tasting, exploring...it's exhausting. Although we love our adventures, we are taking a break this week and staying in. Our plan is to shop, sleep, eat at fabulous restaurants, and watch movies...specifically Harry Potter because I've been in the mood. So, next week, there will be a post, but not of the adventure sort.
In two weeks, Paul and I will be doing major travel for a week plus, which is super exciting. But then, I leave for the US. Which is thrilling and saddening at the same time. But mostly thrilling since I will be starting my new master's in Theatre Education at Emerson. I'm ready.
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