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So we finally arrived in Peru! Our 1st stop was Arequipa, a place where Em´s mum spent a lot of time growing up. Em´s auntie Flor and Uncle Edgar picked us up from the airport, and we went straight to Em´s uncles restaurant on the main plaza for lunch. There were more cousins and aunties waiting there for us, and we sampled lots of the local cuisine! After a quick ride around the town we went back for an old photo session and a late siesta, ready for an evening of salsa! My auntie and uncle took us to a ´salsatecha´where we both learned a few steps! They had so much more energy than us and we had a really nice time with them till the early hours. We both want to learn it properly now as well! The next day they took us all around Arequipa, they were very sweet and wanted to show us all of the places tourists don´t get to see. Arequipa is surrounded by 3 volcanoes- Misti (still active), Chachan and Picchu Picchu. The farmland is also very important here as they do not import any fruit or veg, it is all grown locally. Many people think that Arequipa is called the white city because of the white volcanic rock used to build the city. But apparently it´s because when the spanish conquered, they got rid of all of the Peruvians, Indians and anyone else, so it was left with just white skinned people living there. That day we also tried Cuy, the ancient dish of guinea pig!! Its something James was determined to try, but is now certain he never will again! We tried so much food in Arequipa, from a huge piece of pork scratching to the traditional drink of chicha morada (purple maize drink). Em´s family are very proud of where they live and were eager to get us to try everything! In the evening we went to another aunties, where we tried some bolivian food, drank a creamy pisco coktail and danced more salsa in the front room! On sunday we shopped for warm hats and gloves as we were warned how cold it would be in Cuzco. We then stopped for lunch with yet more family, and heard lots of funny stories about Em´s mum! After so much food, we then went for a drive to have traditional buñelos, which are bit like donuts. Ready to burst, we set off that evening on a 10 hour ride to Cuzco!
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