We
have been here since Wednesday – or at least our luggage has been – but we
didn’t see any of the sights until today.
Arequipa is a comfortable place, especially for us Coloradans. The altitude is a little higher than
Denver and the historical district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) has a feel
similar to LoDo. Shops specialize
in trekking, climbing and mountain biking and the people are as friendly as can
be, especially those in our hotel.
So
this morning we visited the Museo Santury at the Catholic University of Santa
Maria. “Juanita, the Ice Princess”
is in the laboratory for more research so we saw her stand-in. In 1995 Johan Reinhart, a mountaineer
and archeologist, discovered her frozen body near the 20,000 foot summit of
Ampato volcano where she had been sacrificed more than 500 years ago. Incas selected only the most beautiful
children for human sacrifice, believing them to be the purist. Juanita, it is believed, was the daughter
of important citizens who considered it an honor to give her up. Forensic research continues on the hows
and whys, using DNA and analyzing her well preserved clothing. To me, even more amazing than the
discovery, is the fact that Inca priests could climb to more than 20,000 feet
carrying young children. They wore
woolen tunics and leather sandals, not the high-tech equipment that Reinhart’s
crew had.
After
lunch we toured the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, just around the corner from
our hotel. Thirty nuns, age 19 to
90, still live and work and pray in silence in the cloistered part of the
convent. At its prime 300 nuns and
their assorted servants and slaves called this small city home. Life for them was pretty good. Their “cells” were spacious and
cheerful with large kitchens and sitting areas.
If
it weren’t for the arrows marked “Salida” pointing the way you could easily
become lost here for hours. And
that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
The colors are vibrant reds and blues and yellows. The doors and windows are ornately
carved opening onto courtyards with orange trees. There are flowers everywhere and classical music is piped
in. This is the most peaceful
place I have ever been. I was
almost tempted to take my vows!
