Arequipa, Peru

An early morning bus reaches Arequipa by the afternoon. I know I have said many cities were pretty, but next to Copacabana, I think this may be my favorite. The city is more upscale than Cuzco with many cool shops and wonderful restaurants.

On this day I visit the Monasterio Santa Cantalina. This convent is a city within a city that has only recently been opened to the public. It was formed by a rich widow in 1580 and only excepted daughters of the richest Spanish families. The families paid large amounts to insure a place for their children. Unlike most convents these nuns did not live in poverty. They had individual houses with as many as four servants each. They threw extravagant parties and lived as they had in their estates back home.

After 300 years the Pope got wind of the antics and sent a Dominican nun to straighten things out. This nun sent all the money back to Europe and freed all the slaves. None of the 450 remaining nuns ever left the convent again. The convent remained very secretive until it was opened again 1970. The 30 nuns who still live in the complex are separated from tourists.

That night I went to an Irish pub, drank mojitos and played pool. I lost, but in my defense I am used to playing with a tip on the cue. The locals don´t seem to need it.