Going to the chapel...

I'm in Arequipa, Peru. A city built of white volcanic rock and thus named "The White City". It's been an interesting couple of days, yesterday was all about admin - uploading photos, sorting out a schedule and letting some of you lucky people know what it is, booking bus tickets, reserving flights, trying to phone a friend (who will persist in being out enjoying himself), getting information about the Galapagos cruises, trying to change my flight to Australia and, last but by no means least, trying to buy a new battery for my watch (only 18 months old but the battery has gone already - typical Argentine quality).

Today, however was all about the tourist in me. This morning I went to the Museum to see the "Ice Mummies" - children sacrificed by the Incas to appease their angry mountain gods. Strictly speaking they aren't mummies as the bodies were buried and preserved whole. The world-famous "Juanita" is actually in a preservation tank at the moment and not on display, I saw Serena, one of the other thirteen bodies found. While I don't condone human sacrifice, the explanations given at the museum are much more realistic and less bloodthirsty than the popular press would have us believe.

This afternoon I went to the Convent of St Cathering. Now don't get the wrong idea, I have no intention of giving up the secular life but I do have a fascination with those who opt for something different. This convent was set up in the 1600's by a Spanish imigree who selected companions based on their nationality (Spanish), their social status (upper class) and their dowry (which had to be considerable). These nuns lived in high style with 'servants' and their own houses within a 20,000 sq metre city block. They were cloistered within this large area until 1970 when, following a couple of earthquakes, they were force to regroup within a section of the block and the rest was opened to the general public as a tourist attraction. There are still about 30 nuns cloistered away today but the rest remains for outsiders to wander around. It is being looked after and is part of the Unesco World Heritage site encompassing the centre of the city of Arequipa. On top of all that, my photos are gorgeous.

Talking of photos, I've splashed out on a second memory card for my camera (and may even buy a third) as I doubt I'll be able to do any uploading in the Galapagos Islands. The date of that cruise has now changed and I won't be hitting Australia until the third week of March at this rate. Still, I'm sure I'll find something to do.