Pasaje del Solar # 108 Arequipa - Peru

On the way to Arequipa i met a friendly couple from Alemania, Mainz on the road. We talked about everything and nearly i bought the 350 Suzuki from Welf. Nearly. Christina and Welf are on Welfreise. They had a nice Truck and after the tour they will sell the truck. More informations see on: http://www.welfreise.com/

After one night by a very friendly and poor family in a kind of ghetto in Arequipa i drove down to the center, the Plaza de Armas. The oneway-street-system made me somtimes a little confused. Many cabs, busses, trucks, noise and smelliness. The Plaza de Arma (the same name like in every city) is really beautiful, with palms, springs, a nice place for a rest and for looking at all. In front is a hugh Cathedral, built with cillar, a white volcanic stone from the area. Behind the Cathedral you can see the Volcano Misti with 5825 masl, he is the guardian of the city.

In Arequipa i found quickly a nice calm place on the hospedaje El Rosario, simple an cheap. I stayed 2 nights there. When i checked out i gave Cecillia 100 Soles, 50 for each night. She came back with 70 Soles. Ok, that was a disaccord, 1 night was 15 not 50. Her english, especially the articulation was difficult to understand. So what, i was happy. By the way, the breakfast was brilliant, selfmade jam and every morning 2 fried eggs, fantastic.

On the 2nd day i searched for a touroperator for the Colca Canyon. On Jerusalem 524 was a office from a german guide. First i wanted to make the tour in one day, but Manfred Miedl convince me, that this tour in one day is monkey business. Ok, i booked the 2 day tour for 52 US.

When i maundered back to the hospedaje, there was in a group outside on a house in my street, more or less 10 Amigos in the age between 50 and 80. One oft them spoke to me. A case of beer stand next to the bank, almost empty. He offerd me one glass beer, no gracias, the 2nd try, gracias senhor, 3rd, 4th,... 10 minutes later i stood inside the circle. Although no one from them (without Eduardo) spoke english, i tried a little spanish,.. the atmosphere was incredible. We spoke abouty everything and drank beer in the circle with only one glass. The same ritual like in Brazil and i like it so much. The beer was empty, Jose brought Pisco, the Peruan-National-Drink and the full glass goes round again. 3 hours later i was boozed and went home. The great Union from the Pasaje del Solar # 108 on the picture are:

Don Viktor Quezada Tristan, Felipe Abarca Tefeda, Carlos Torres Enrisuez, Jose Ochoa Fejada, Simon (p.t.gallone) Galler, Guido Quezada Bellicho, Rene Vera Ballon

On the next morning i felt after a fantastic breakfast great. The bus startet at 8 o`clock. We were 11 persons from Spain, Italy, the US and Alemania. The first 80 km was the same pista which i have to cycle up to the altiplano again 2 days later. We turned left in the direction Chivay, one hour a bumpy pista, not comfortable. In the capitalcity of the vally we had a great lunch. In the afternoon we went to the Aqua Calientes. In the evening we had meal in a typical peruan restaurant with a great Penashow, music and dance from Peru. Luann and Joe, a couple from NY invited me for the evening. I told them anything about me charity-bike-tour. Thanx to you great friends.

The next day started very early, i got up at 5.30 am. We drove another bumpy pista into the vally to the canyon and the place where you can see the condor, cruz del condor. In fact, we saw one condorfamily. They use the warm winds from the vally for hunting. A great show. We drove back and made lots of stops,saw the original terraces from the inka, had always a great view about the vally and the colca river. In Maca we made the last stop. Infront of the church i hold an Andeneagle on my arms. WOW. Again we had a big buffet lunch in Chivay and then we returned back to Arequipa.

One sad moment, on the street stood very poor children. We stopped and we gave them some fruits, cakes and water.

Back in Arequipa i went to the house from Jose where i left my bike and all my stuff. Inside the courtyard was a small party again. Faviere, Jorge, Julius and Don Viktor had Pisco. The reason, Edauardo became father. Accidental was next to Don Viktor a free place, accidental i was on the turn with the powerdrink,..accidental.. The round became bigger, almost 10 persons from the yard came and drank 1,2,3 bottles of Pisco. It was a great evening again with pretty nice grande Amigos. The 2nd time when they invited me, i couldn`t say no. These nice peruan people, perhaps one of the greates moments to know people. I love Peru. Jorge organized a room in, claro, El Rosario.

Now, meantime it was friday, i started again to climb up with my heavy-bike. The 2nd time to up onto the Altiplan, first to Juliaca, ca. 300 km. The first 60 km it was only up. It was a hard day, i remember, when i started up to the Paso Jama it was also friday the 13th. Finally i was happy to cycle after a 4 days off.

At 4 pm i found a good place on a dry river. I have to repair my hydraulic brake on the back. The liquid was less and it worked never really good. The night was not relaxed, it was cold, almost less than 5 degree inside the tent. At 10.30 pm a dog barked outside. Oh no, but after 3 minutes he pissed off. The next day was also very cold. I never wanted get up. At 8o`clock i started again, the same game. I needed 1,45 h to Cañahuasi. I spoke with a policeman. He told me that it is possible to sleep in Imata on the policestation. The sky got dark, the 2nd lightning in the Altiplano. I paddled faster and had great luck, i could escape. The good paved route with many slopes up and down carried me through the mountains. Meantime the sky got almost dark. It started to hail, f***. Another lightning made me scared. Fortunatelly there was a sign, Imata

10 Km, let`s go faster.

In Imata i found a place in the puesto salud, in a small hospital. The doctor Juan Carlos showed me my private room. Afterward i had a trucha, a great fishmeal. The private room in the hostel was simple but safe for minha bicicleta, it was with me in the room. It was very cold inside, only 8 degree and no warm water. It was hard again to get up an feel good. At half past 7 i was ready ciao Juan Carlos . The next 10 km were more or less flat an than startet the hilly game, more up than down. The blue sky with many big clouds let sometimes the sun through. It was frosty, my fingers felt frozen. After 25 km i arrived Cruzero Alto, the highest point with 4528 masl and i hoped that now the road a little more goes down. Not till then on the Laguna Lagunillas the street goes down and lose a few of meters. A magnificend view over the Laguna was the prize for the hard paddle. The nature showed himself from the most beautiful side. I arrived Santa Lucia after 78 km an i decided to stay one night here. I found a cheap hospedaje for 10 Soles (ca. 2,50 €) the bathroom was not fine, whatever..

The night was awful, i slept not good, dogs barked the hole night. Today i cycled tranquil to Juliaca, a busy city.. there are small blocked streets, tuks, cabs, and noise..

Fuer alle Deutschlaender aus Nersingen, Ulm und Umgebung ein Hinweis. In der Suedwestpresse soll demnaechst wieder ein Artikel erscheinen. Wann genau weiss ich nicht, aber schaut mal rein. Vielleicht war er auch schon drin, keine Ahnung..

Lieber Frieder, Dir wuensch ich alles Liebe und Gute zum Geburtstag. Bleib gesund und ich freu mich schon auf das naechste Vesper im Hasenweg, mit Most...

hasta pronto

trucha gallone