Goodbye Arequipa

So today was our last day in Arequipa. Wyatt and I both decided that if we ever decided to move to Peru, Arequipa would be a great city to live in. Perfect weather, between 15 and 20 degrees everyday, with great modern apartments, good internet, well stocked grocery stores. Maija told me Arequipa was her favourite city, she said it was because it was closest to home….oh my kids, they like the trip, but they do miss home.

One last time at the Plaza de Armas

By Yanahara Plaza, another fun spot to hang out

I didn’t want to forget to document meeting the Zapana Family. We met them our second night in Arequipa. The morning after we arrived in the city we called up the LDS Missionaries, and asked them if they could tell us a little about the local congregation in our area. It turns out that night there was a get together at someone’s home and we were welcomed to join them. That night the kids and I went over to Karina Zapana’s house (Wyatt was feeling a bit tired after our long trip to Arequipa, and was happy to just rest). We were happy to learn that Karina and Frederick had two kids ages 7 and almost 11.

Terran, Frederick, Stephania, and Maija in our apartment in Arequipa

Karina Zapana and I the day we left Arequipa

The kids of course made friends with their kids right away, and a couple of weeks later Karina invited us to the Arequipa International Club with them. That place was amazing! Swimming pools, a lot of green spaces, tennis courts, all kinds of cool things. Thank you Karina! Our kids really enjoyed meeting your family!

We are now getting ready for the world’s longest bus ride (maybe 40 hours) After Arequipa our next stop is Zorritos in the north of Peru, that will hopefully be our last stop before crossing over to Ecuador.

Wyatt and I opted for the bus option for a few reasons:

1.Airports have a tendency to stress us out. I used to love airports when I was a child, but now going through airport security and customs just makes you feel like a criminal.

2. No extra fees. We don’t have a lot of luggage, we are travelling very light, but even then we are concerned that we will be asked to check in our luggage, which has our computers, and then ask to pay extra for each piece.

3. Terran is obsessed with Peruvian bus companies….and Peruvian transit in general….hello Mototaxis anyone?

Terran's favorite bus company now.

4. It is cheaper than planes, and all expenses multiplied by 4 add up fast.

5.The biggest and most important reason is that we get to see more of Peru by bus! On a plane we just see the airport, and the sky. This way we see the landscape changing, and the small little towns along the way.