As cities go, Arequipa is a stunner. Everyone knows her as the white city because of the white volcanic stone used in construction.
The white walls and glowing churches set off bright bougainvillea and geraniums that seem to grow everywhere. The central plaza is set off by a grand basilica that has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes.
It has a massive organ from Belgium (and we were lucky enough to hear a mini concert)
and a museum with religious artifacts built with gold, silver and precious stones (pictures are not allowed). The most impressive is a silver pelican that stands about 2-3ft high. She is studded with garnets and sapphires and nestles two babies below. Because she lack food for her babies, she has picked her breast and offers her blood to save them. A catholic legend that recalls Christ’s sacrifice for us.
A tour is worth every minute-and the view from the roof and belfry were amazing.
The children were more impressed with the marble patio than anything inside the church.
The plaza is reserved as a pedestrian area and allows peddlers to earn money by throwing baby animals at photo-snapping tourists, people to fundraise for dubious children’s homes, children to chase pigeons, and tourists to wander and marvel at the basilica without having to watch out for traffic.
Aaron is fond of starting conversations with taxi drivers on how much Arequipa has changed in 10 years… more traffic, Starbucks, malls, Uber, and tourists. Luckily, the amazing food remains the same. We are happy to be eating ceviche, roccoto relleno and lomo saltado and washing it down with a pisco sour.
Anderson’s go South... 
We are enjoying all of your posts. What a wonderful opportunity for all of you. Sending our love.
LikeLike