Peru - Friday 16 October 1998
We wake up early for a ride through Colca Canyon. At the end of it is a place called Condor Cross. Early in the morning you can see real condors flying. We're right on time, we see a small one, and after some time also a big one. Really beautiful.
We make a bet who'll see the first condor. Diederick wins. Not so strange: he ran immediately to the edge of a rock. I really worried about him... but he didn't fall down. Strange: in the bus he is really scared on every turn, but now doesn't mind to walk across the deep ravine...
This environment is really impressive! A little bit like Grand Canyon in the US. The colors are less, but the rocks are more rough.
We walk on a small path through the canyon for about half an hour. It's also possible to go for 4 or 5 hours into the canyon, but in our schedule there's not so much time for it. I would have liked to spend more time over here.
On our way back, we halt in the village of Maca. A strong earthquake destroyed most of it in 1992. The church has collapsed, most houses are still ruins.
The people are really busy repairing their village. Sonya says that she doesn't understand why the people do that, because the village is to be removed. It's quite hard to understand why people want to live here, because there is a big risk of a new earthquake. I expect one every moment during our trip...
Almost everyone of us has bought a pan-flute in Chivay. They're very cheap, only 3 or 4 soles for a nice small one, although it's not the best quality. We all try to play the famous song El Condor Pasa, but only Otto gets a good sound out of his flute. He's really good!
There are so much people over here! Farmers with their cows. The people look really happy! Although the most of them are very poor. Some farmers are wealthier, they have machines to use on their land.
Some people try to make money out of the tourists, by selling stuff. Over here it's especially textile. And everybody also wants to pose for a picture, for a few soles.
The rest of the morning, we can spend for ourselves in Chivay. We walk around in the village, we go to the bridge over a small river and talk to some children. We have lunch in a small restaurant - one where don't come much tourists. The menu is the famous combination of potato-soup, rice and chicken.
In this restaurant the local children have lunch, too. They are really excited by having all those tourists in their restaurant.
We go back to Arequipa, on the same sand road. On the highest point, on about 3.000 meters, there is a field where you can make a wish after building a tower of rocks. Of course, we do it. Diedericks wish will come out, we'll see later...
During our way back, we play the game 'I spy....', and a Dutch game in the same kind - but then not by saying the first letter, but the color of the word to guess. We also teach the English speaking part of our group famous Dutch songs like 'Op een onbewoond eiland' ('On a gaunt island') en 'Ik heb zo wa wa wa waanzinnig gedroomd' (I've had an in-in-in- incredible dream').
Back in Arequipa we have some time to fresh up - but our shower is cold. Well, then just a cold shower...
Patricia gives us a chance to choose a restaurant. We walk around and find a small restaurant on the road to our hotel. Not so crowdy, but it is quite cheap. We doubt a little bit, but we don't want to seek any further, so we decide to have dinner here.
At once, a music group comes in. They don't play very good, but it's all right. The drummer even wants to dance with Patricia! That appears to be a on purpose, to give somebody else the chance to take her bag. Fortunately, Otto sees what's happening. They run for the thief with five people! The man, woman and a child are just getting in a taxi when they get there. The thieves can escape, an other woman stays in the cab. After making some troubles, she gives back the bag!
What an adventure! Otto is the hero of the night, and gets a nickname: 'Superman'. After all, the good atmosphere is gone. We decide to go back and sleep early.
