Happy Palm Sunday!
It´s so hard to believe it has already been a week since we´ve arrived in Arequipa. Week days (for me at least) were spent painting walls with Phil, Jacky, Austin and Joseph at the little girls´orphanage, followed by evenings in the absolutely stunning Plaza de Armas. Its beauty still moves me each time I march off the bus and up to the square, bordered by age old cathedrals, and ice-capped mountain peaks in the distant background. The way the late afternoon sunlight reflects off the old buildings (constructed of a white volcanic stone) is breath taking. I find myself falling asleep with the Plaza in my mind, already excited for the serenity the next day´s visit will bring.
I am already nervous to leave this place. The second Emily and I were guided up the stairs to our bedroom by our new host mother, Maria, I knew it would be impossible to pack my bags this coming Sunday. Time seems to move faster everyday. Our bedroom has its very own private bathroom(WITH HOT WATER), gorgeous, golden sunlight for the majority of the day, and, my weakness, a big and sunny balcony perfect for morning stretches and night time star-gazing.
I wish it weren´t this way, but the clock is ticking until dinner time, so I am off to the plaza where I will sit in the park, maybe get a coffee, wander around aimlessly until dusk, when I will make my way back to my temporary home.
Also, I ate Alpaca last night! Was mighty delicious.
Pictures to come!
Love,
Cecelia