Delightful Arequipa

After 10 hours of travelling from Ica, we reached Arequipa. The bus terminal was outside of the main city. It took us only 0.60 soles per person to get to the town center in a shared combi. The square was very vibrant with a lot of tourism agencies. After visiting a couple of hostels we decided to stay at El Caminante in a matrimonial room for 40 soles. It was a relief to have a place to stretch and take a hot shower. We decided not to hit the bed but to explore the plaza. Before leaving the hostel we booked a tour to Colca Canyon for 60 soles per person at the reception. The tour bus would pick us up at the hostel in the morning.



The plaza was dominated by the grandeous church. There was a celebratory spirit in the square with newly married couples, children and local vacationers. We went to the side streets where there were lots of stores, shopping malls and small vendors. I bought a cheap watch that we desperately needed.

We decided to head to Lakshmivan per recommendation from Lonely Planet for dinner. Unfortunately we were too hungry and the wait was very long for what it was worth ( average pizza and soy and potato chips).

Onwards to Arequipa

It took us about 5 hours to reach Ica from Lima. The area around bus terminal was buzinng with traffic and pollution. Quite a contrast from Lima. The bus journey had been pretty comfortable so decided to continue onwards towards Arequipa rather than spend a night in Ica where we did not believe we had much to see.
Spent an hour trying to figure out a bus company that goes to Arequipa. Kept going around the square and got redirected in another direction. Eventually found out Ormenia would leave at a time convenient for us. It would cost 60 soles per person for economy seats.
The bus stop was very basic and in the open with a table for reception and couple of chairs for waiting passengers. Bus was scheduled to leave in an hour so decidede to get some dinner. Had to look around for some veggie options, eventually found a chinese place where we ate noodles, vegetable rice, salad and chips( some kind of a combo meal that they served).
Waited at the bus terminal and met a Hare Krishna follower (seen in pic here reading Gita). Very surprised at this encounter. He was a Columbian chap and was going down south doing a pilgrimage of HareKrishna temples.
Bus did not leave on time but were happy to get a front row seat( which usually is a little more leg space). Also met a priest who had been to Boston and was going South to visit a church. Lot of coincidences in a small place like Ica!