Juanita

Before leaving Arequipa we were lucky enough to meet Juanita, a 12 year old 'ice princess', who's preserved body is on display at the University Museum directly opposite our hotel. She died 500 years ago and was discovered encased in ice in the crater at the top of Mount Amatapo, the massive volcano that looms over the city of Arequipa, Peru. What is more remarkable than the expedition with their crampons, modern day clothing and camping equipment, who actually discovered her and brought her body back down, is how did Juanita get there in the first place.

She was from the ancient Inca civilisation that ruled this area of South America 500 years ago,  who believed that the mountains were gods. When these gods became angry, the Incas would give offerings to appease them, including the sacrificing of Juanita, chosen because of her pureness, beauty and innocence. She was marched 160 miles from the Inca capital, Cuzco, to Mount Amatapo before enduring a torturous climb in freezing conditions, wrapped in nothing more than ornately woven fabric and wearing sandals, to the top of the mountain where she would meet her death in a grand ceremony. Its a fascinating story and a great insight into an ancient culture.

Look and learn!!

Its in Cuzco that we find ourselves for Christmas. A stunning city, steeped in history, with its huge plazas and cathedral, steep cobblestone streets and all in a beautiful valley setting. It's here that we've had to delve deep into our rucksacks to find some warm clothing that has lay undiscovered for nearly four months. Situated at 3400 metres above sea level its pretty cold at night but still quite warm, about 18C during the day.

When we arrived we thought we'd chance it and try and check  in early to our accommodation, Hostel Qorichaska which means gold star. What we were met with as we walked into reception was 40 sets of children’s eyes glaring at us. Every Christmas the hostel invites the very poor children and some of their mothers from the local villages to a Christmas party and suddenly we were invited too. No time to drop the bags off before Vanessa was dancing with kids and I was grabbed by one of the mothers, who must have been four foot nothing with a baby strapped to her back, for a shot at their local dance. All the kids receive sweet bread, hot chocolate and a present each, as were we when they left, apart from the present of course. What a bizarre start to the day, a children’s party in Peru at 8 o’clock in the morning.

Things settled down after that as we spent the day strolling around this wonderful place although climbing the steep cobblestone streets was a bit tough on the lungs at this altitude, but  it does actaully feel a bit Christmassy, so luckily we’ve made the perfect choice.

Talking of Christmas, we’d like to wish everyone a very happy one and thanks for reading our blog.