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I woke up early on Thursday and finished packing.I payed my hostel bill and asked them to put my luggage in storage.I got picked up for the tour and transported to the office in Plaza De Armas where I was then transferred to a bigger tour bus.I got on and the bus was full of peruvian children.There were only 5 other tourist on the bus! We drove to Chivay with afew stops on the way.We stopped to look at Vicunas, which are like alpacas/llamas.We also stopped at a place where local women were selling souvenirs.At another stop there were these rocks that had been placed one on top of the other like little statues! This I think was the highest point of the trip.I was taking pictures when I turned suddenly and felt dizzy.I had felt a headache coming on.For the rest of the journey to Chivay I had a bad headache which eased a little as we went down to Chivay.In Chivay we had lunch then we got changed to go to the Calera Hot Springs.We spent about 2-3hrs soaking in the pool filled with mineral-laden water which some people believe have curative properties.I just found it relaxing! During lunchtime I had chatted with a couple of the other tour members who were 2 girls from the US.It turned out that I was sharing a room at the hostel with them.We got along really well and hanged out together at the hot springs.
Dinner was at 7.30pm.Us tourists got taken to a restaurant where they have a Peruvian show as well.There was a band playing different musical instruments and singing. A couple of dancers performed traditional Peruvian dances.
Today we woke up at 5.30am to be ready for breakfast at 6am. Breakfast was the usual bread and jam with tea or coffee. Not very substantial! We headed off around 7am or 7.30am really after waiting on the bus for one of the teachers and a group of kids.We headed off towards Cruz Del Condor which is where people go to watch the condors fly if they are lucky.Sometimes they don't come out to play!
We were very lucky as we saw 5 flying around.They look amazing.I tried to get some decent photos but it's hard with them flying about.It's surprising how close to the people they come.They must be used to all these people hanging around every morning.And there are a lot of people!!
After that we headedback to Arequipa with a few stops along the way.We had lunch again in Chivay.We got to Arequipa at about 5pm.I went for a walk in the Plaza De Armas.I had said goodbye to the girls from the US.We had spent the day together mostly.They were going to stay at the hostel I had stayed at and where my luggage was stored.We thought we may see each other there.When I got to the hostel they were there and we sat down and chatted over a beer.Then I got my luggage and got a taxi to the bus station.I panicked a bit when I lined up at the counter for the bus company I was going with it looked like the computer was not working.I knew I had to check in y 8pm and it was 7.50pm.Finally I sort of pushed in and gave the girl at the counter my ticket and she checked me in.
I got on the bus and my seat was at the top right at the front.I could see the road and oncoming traffic.I can't decide it that was a good seat or not because I held my breath a few times when I saw where the driver was overtaking.We had dinner and tea before they put on a movie. After the movie they turned off the light so that people could sleep.
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