Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is my favorite place in Arequipa.

It is an old convent that dates back to the 1579s and was cloistered or almost completely isolated from secular life (including “lazy Susans” that helped sisters exchange gifts and goods without visual contact). In the 1960s, earthquakes forced the sisters to move out of these residences and the convent was restored and opened to the public.

Cool fact: Paul Gaugin’s mother sought refuge here during a period of conflict with Chile.

Thousands of picturesque doorways and arches, flower laden walks and old kitchens make it a beautiful haven from the hectic congestion of the city.

If we listened very very carefully, we could hear choral voices practicing or worshiping. We spent most of our time wondering where the beautiful music was coming from until the very end – a recoding on a video sharing the story of Saint Ana and her miracles. George had a little miracle of his own when he stepped into a sun beam.