A glimpse of Heaven

Early Tuesday morning we were picked up at our house. It was a tiny little bus and only about 15 people fit in there (well at least in the non-peruvian way). We were greeted by a young man called Gonzalo Pizzaro. He was to be our guide for the next two days. Since we were only the second group to be picked up, we drove thru the city for about 1h hour more, until we finally had all the passengers on board.

Then we started our journey up up up to the Vally of Colca. Frist we drove thru the slums of Arequipa. That was really interesting to see, since here in the city you basically don't ever see any of it. Thousands of houses have only been started to be built. Often there are only 2,3 or if they are lucky 4 walls standing. But then most people don't have enough money for the roof. So there is all these half way done houses, that nobody lives in. I asked, why people wouldn't start working together - so that one family builds the walls and the other the roof. It would be packed, but at least they would have a home. But they told me, that people don't mind. It's also a way of saving the space for later. And once the government will provide electricity and water, they will finish it.


For about 2h we drove up the mountain, before we made our first stop. On our first stop we got to see some Vicunias. They look like Lamas, only a bit smaller. It was interesting to learn, that contrary to the Lamas and Alpacas, one can never have a Vicunia as a pet. They have to live in the wilderness or else they will die. Also we learned, that their wool is really expensive and only a few farmers, wo live up there are allowed to cut their wool. The way they do is, that once a year all the 5000 farmers gather and make a huge line holding each others hands. They then walk thru the whole valley, gathering the Vicunia. They cut their wool and then let them run free again.

Later on we also stopped to look at some Lamas and Alpacas. Tho they didn't seem to be so happy about us taking pictures of them. Luckily we had the necessary distance, so they couldn't spit at us! Oh and fyi - they all spit! So next time you go up to an Alpaca or a Vicunia and think, oh they are so cute and ya right, it's no Lama so I'm safe to cuddle it - YOU MIGHT REGRET IT! ;)

At 4100m we made our third stop. Gonzalo told us all to go inside and have some Coca tea, because the next stop was at 5000m. So we did. The tea was actually pretty yummi and also they had a cute little market outside. Tho, I think what I liked most was the rock formation. There were these funny looking pillars. It looked simply amazing!

After this stop we drove about 1h more, till we finally got to the top - 5000m. Wow I think that's the highest I've gone so far. I was really surprised tho- I expected to feel worse. I think that Coca really helps ;) I tried walking up the hill, to the bathrooms (which is about 50m or so). Haha -  afterwards I felt like I just ran a half marathon! 

There was also a market. Gonzalo told us, we could only stay 10min. because of health issues. I looked at these ladies, who sit up there all day long and I really admired them for how fit they must be!
We also build little stone man. Apparently this is a old tradition. Different people used to worship different volcanos. So the tale goes, that if you build a stone man that looks like a volcano you have a free wish. haha, not so sure this is gonna work, but hey at least I can say, that I build a stone man on 5000masl.

I also learned, that we picked the perfect time to go up there. Normally it's all brown- really more desert like. But since the rain season only ended about 2 weeks ago, everything was perfectly green! I'm so grateful, that we had the most perfect weather! Blue sky all the time!

After our short stop on the top we drove all the way down to Chivay. It's one of the biggest villages in the Colca valley. This is also the place we stayed for the night. After a delicious lunch - for which I ate Alpaca meat for the first time - they took us to our hotels. At the hotel I had a slight shock, when I went into the bathroom for the first time.

Yes my dear friends - it's no joke! Apparently that's the rule in most parts of Peru (except Arequipa, phu - lucky me!). Naturally my first reaction was like - oh no, they hired somebody who sucks at translating - maybe I should go tell them. So I walked out and told it to this other women. She looked at me confused and said - no it's no joke- never flush your toilet paper down or you'll have to clean the mess! Oooops!

Anyways, after this little lesson about hygiene we went for a walk thru the village. They had the cutest market. There were so many delicious looking things there. Only sad, that one can't eat most of them, because it's way to dangerous. But we did try some sort of Cactus fruit. I've never had anything quite like it. The fruit flesh was super sweet, but then I bit on one of the little seeds inside. It was super spicy!! I looked at the lady - and apparently I looked a little confused, because before she said it was sweet. She started laughing and said: 'You shouldn't have bit on the seeds - they are spicy'. Well thanks - tho a little too late now! ;)

Only after a little while me and my auntie met the other guys from the tour again. We went to the hot springs, which were near by. WOW! Best thing ever! Only the sulfur sent is a little distracting at times ;) But truly it was amazing! I really enjoyed it!

 In the evening we went to a dance pub. There was a band who played traditional music and two people danced for us.

The next morning we had to wake up at 5am to go to the place where the Condors fly. It took us another 2.5 hours or so driving thru a rocky road - well let's say it was a road for the most part, but sometimes it resembled more to a creek. But in the end we got to see these HUGE birds. It was pretty cool, because we got to see the adult birds, but also the baby ones! Amazing!

Sometimes they flew only 2m above our heads - incredible feeling- I'm telling you.

On the way home we got to see some more of the beautiful landscape. I loved all the little terraces cut into the mountain.

Just like a little piece of heaven!

We also took a group picture! It was a fun group and we really had a great time together. I love to meet people from all over the world. There were people from France, Germany, Columbia, Peru, Switzerland (YAY:) ), Canada, Mexico etc. Good times!

 It was a great trip to the Colca Valley and I'm so grateful I could be part of it. If you ever come to Peru, this is something I would definitely recommend you!