The Adventures of Asher & Journey: Alpacas: Friend, Food, or Offering? {Arequipa}

Not just alpacas, but BABY alpacas! Journey absolutely loves alpacas, so this was a fun experience for her to hold a little one! Women walk their alpacas thru the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa and Cusco offering photos in exchange for soles (money).

Our friend, Carlos drove us downtown and his daughter, Esther, showed us around. Our first stop was Mercado San Camilo, the market where you can buy just about anything. Fruits, vegetables, meat, fresh juices and prepared foods, clothes, supplies, flowers, local-style hats, gifts, even items used as offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). This two-story market is massive.

I find the meat section pretty interesting, though, poor Journey feels traumatized every time we walk by these counters. I am sparing you the graphic photos of cow heads with eyeballs sin skin, footlong tongues and the bowl of chicken heads. One day we were walking by the house and two men were parked in front of the butcher shop. There was a skinless cow in the bed of their truck and they were using a hacksaw to cut parts from the cow. Things are different here.

This is the shop that sells items as offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth). From conversations with people, it seems one would use these for good luck or for a specific request. You will see dead, dried, baby alpacas hanging above the shop. These are considered a higher level of offering. I read these are not killed specifically for this purpose, but died and are then used. The dark ones are more valuable, as they are more rare. Another shop was selling alpaca embryos. Again, I'll spare you the photos. These are often used by those either suffering from infertility or infant loss, in the hopes that Mother Earth will bless them with a child.

We were warned not to step out the back door of the market as it can be a dangerous area. We were thankful for the guidance. This is a very busy place and theft is an issue.

Just a few blocks away is the Plaza de Armas, the town square with the cathedral on one side and two-story arched buildings with shops and restaurants on the other three sides.

Events, parades and dances are held here regularly. Today a section was roped off for men carving sillar rock, a white volcanic rock that was used to build many of the buildings in Arequipa, leading to the nickname "White City". The carving details they accomplished were really impressive.

Before touring the Santa Catalina Monastery, which I'll cover in the next post, we ate lunch at a restaurant balcony overlooking the square. A tear rolled down Journey's cheek when she saw alpaca on the menu.

There are multiple miradors (viewpoints) throughout the city. Yanahuara is one with three arches that look out over the city and towards Misti Volcano. There are some good restaurants nearby too.

El Brujo is a vegan restaurant with a delicious mushroom ceviche! We also enjoyed dessert waffles at another shop on the square.

Our first visit to downtown Arequipa felt overwhelming because the traffic was heavy and there were so many people on the narrow sidewalks. Before we left the area, we decided to go back and try it again, this time avoiding the busiest areas. I'm so glad we did, because it was a much better experience the second time. Arequipa is a city that is loved by many and has a lot to offer.

I'm not sure what was going on here, but we certainly enjoyed watching this dancing procession that stopped traffic for a few minutes. Look at those fabulous outfits!

One of the cathedrals near the square has golden walls inside.

We surprised Journey with a visit to Mundo Alpaca, a place that shows you the whole alpaca product process. First, we met the alpacas.

We saw the raw wool, separated by color, before it's turned into thread.

And we saw one of the women weaving the wool into an extremely detailed tapestry. I'm still amazed at the level of detail and designs they can accomplish row by tiny row.