Arequipa. Peru´s second-largest city

Arequipa is famous for its spectacular Cañón del Colca. This 100km - long canyon is set among high volcanoes. 6613m - high Coropuna and 6310m - high Ampato. It is said that Cañón del Colca is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to go there. However, we still enjoyed Arequipa its colonial buildings, mysterious churches and location at the foot of the volcanoes.

We visited Santa Catalina Convent which was one of the most fascinating religious buildings we have ever seen. It was founded in 1580 by a rich widow - Dona Maria de Guzman. Nowadays visitors can see how nuns used to live hundreds years ago. The convent is also famous because of the sister Ana de Los Angeles Monteagudo. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Local people believe that the various miracles and predictions are attributed to her. In the convent you can find a book where you can place wishes.

We also visited Museo Santuarios Andinos Universidad Catolica De Santa Maria. Museum keeps one of the most interesting mummies in the world - Juanita. A young girl of the Ampato volcano - was discovered in 1995 by anthropologist Dr. Johan Reinhard. It is believed that Juanita was offered to the Inca god by the Inca priests of those days. She was between 12-14 years old at the moment of her death. This discovery is crucial for our knowledge about Incas life, because Juanita´s well preserved body provides interesting information about for example: type of diet and illnesses. Unfortunately, taking photos was forbidden at the museum. The photo is taken from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTVj-4is71BUQCUNS-BzjtEk0scdw3glqC2P_HedYi3FCovtmaubTcxz280B6TmD0nvVe1cDyZn45W-w23OIgJrJ6UtM4ZZaOGUfdDLpgu78c4tWXB7gj-_nJ5XnI0hOqTvfTIj23HdFX/s1600/Juanita+Mummy.jpg

As in each Peruvian city you can find colorful local markets where you can taste and buy delicious and fresh goods...

Eating some snacks with our new friend Anne;)

Believe us that everything in your life happens for a reason. We wanted to book one-day trip to Colca Canyon and in the one, of many agencies, called ´Colca Trek´ we met truly amazing person - Vlado. Although he said it is too dangerous to take one day trip (because it takes 15 hours and the road is covered by snow) he recommended other activities around the city. Then it turned out that Vlado is Honorary Consul of Poland;) He told us some great stories about Polish people who had and still have a great influence on the history not only of Arequipa but the whole Peru...