View to the south on Calle Misti.
I walk to work twice a day, five days a week. I have a class that I teach in the morning, and then I have to come back to teach three more at night. Luckily, I really enjoy my walks and wanted to share them with you!
I live on a pretty busy street called Calle Misti, and that’s where I start. I cross the street and turn the corner onto Cuesta del Olivo, which takes me onto a side street that looks like every other one in Yanahaura:
Cuesta del Olivo and one of many stray dogs.
The archway at the end of the street is where I walk through to get into the Plaza de Yanahuara. Most of the streets in Yanahuara look like this, one-lane roads with cobblestone paving that taxis and personal cars get into face-offs over who is going to back out to let the other pass.
Mirador de Yanahuara, El Misti in the background.
I come into the Plaza de Yanahuara through the far left arch of the mirador (lookout). The arches—and many of the older buildings in Arequipa—are made from the local white volcanic stone called sillar, which gives Arequipa its nickname of “The White City”.
Eastern half of the Plaza de Yanahuara.
The Plaza de Yanahuara is so pretty, and there is ALWAYS something going on. I’ll go more into the plaza later, this post would be really long if I tried to address everything. It is divided into two halves, separated by a street. I cross through the eastern half which is right next to the mirador, and turn left onto Calle Lima between two queso helado (cheese ice cream) vendors dressed into traditional skirts and blouses who have rival carts on opposite corners.
Kindergarten on Calle Lima.
This kindergarten is more than halfway down my walk of Calle Lima, but it’s a pleasant part of the walk since I get to see cute little niños in matching uniforms and hats being dropped off at school by their parents. This one brother and sister pair always make sure to say, “¡Hola! ¡Buenos días!” to me and wave with big silly grins.
Work!
Less than ten minutes after leaving my house, I arrive at Brittany where I have to change out of my battered, ancient Rainbows sandals and into my professional shoes. I had to buy shoes from a Peruvian version of Payless called Bata, but it turns out Peruvians don’t have half-size shoes. So I had the option of shoes that are so small they hurt my toes, or so big they fall off when I walk. So I walk in sandals, and work in shoes. Everyone seems to find this very funny both at my work and on the street, which is why I look forward Casual Fridays when I get to wear sandals in class.
On: Observations 