Adios Arequipa, Hola Huanchaco

Arequipa Send-Off

We had the nicest send off from Arequipa last week. I had forgotten my lens cap at Ericka´s house after our final lesson together (note: more on that later). When we went back to retrieve it after our trip to the Colca Canyon (note: more on this later too), we were able to spend a few hours chatting.

On the final night at our apartment, the owners of the building helped us get our things into a cab, gave us big hugs and then waved us off. They were a super nice family to have found in Arequipa. Great landlords. (If anyone is headed that way, they decided to keep the apartment furnished and to try to advertise it to expats looking for extended stays in the future. Email me for their contact information!)

As much as Rick Steves drives me nuts, I follow one bit of his advice, which is to always travel to a place with the belief that you will return. That idea takes the pressure off of having to see everything in one shot. And in our case, it helped me stay goodbye to Arequipa, knowing it might be a few years, but it won´t be forever.

Settling in to Huanchaco

We´ve been spending the last three days or so getting traveling to and getting settled in Huanchaco, a little surfer town outside of Trujillo. The bus ride took 13 hours to Lima, and another 8 hours to Trujillo.

We were initially going to stay in Trujillo proper, but thought to first check out what options would be available here. I wasn´t sure how developed Huanchaco would be, if they would have internet options, a food market, etc. It turns out to be just the perfect size to hide away in for the next few months.

We found a tiny furnished apartment that has everything we need (ie – WiFi and a kitchen). It is on the grounds of a larger complex of hotel rooms and a small RV/camping park, with a swimming pool! (Although the beach is only 3 blocks away.)

Unfortunately, our first favorite restaurant in town was closed by the authorities just as we were leaving. We had awesome tacos and Trujillo beer for lunch. However, we had to wade through a swath of policemen on our way out the door. I walked by later and saw the place closed up with official signs plastered on its doors.