A to Z in Arequipa

You have missed me, haven’t you? I got away for the weekend. But don’t worry, I did not forget about you. In fact, I am here to share a bit about my trip with you.

A is for Arequipa
Arequipa is a city located 1,011 kilometers south of Lima in the South American country of Peru. Although close to the Pacific coast, it sits at an altitude of 2380 meters above sea level. The city was “re-founded” on August 15, 1540 by an emissary of Pizarro and prior occupied by Aymara Indians & Incans. Approximately one million people populate Arequipa and there is one chain grocery store in the center of town.

B is for Buñuelos
Buñuelos are a tasty street dessert reminiscent of fair food. These are made with flour, yeast, anise and are prepared before the sun rises so they have time to rise before the morning sales begin. A stack of 4 cost a mere $.65 and was worth every penny!

C is for Chicharroneria Cecilia
A Sunday lunch comprised of fried pork, fried pork ribs, stuffed hot peppers, Peruvian scalloped potatoes, fried sweet potato, onion salad. We were served fried corn and hot sauce as an appetizer. Although we could choose any table upon arrival, the large restaurant was full by the time we left!

D is for Doors
Doors and windows are especially beautiful when surrounded by bright colored walls.

E is for Embroidery
Many handicraft stores sell a variety of items, such as purses, coin purses, headbands, belts and so much more, beautifully embroidered with colors and designs. Such artistry is also sold in Lima but traditionally comes from Arequipa.

F is for Frog Skeletons
The lady selling these was not happy about our interest and curiosity about these and all we learned is that they use them in soup. After she carefully skinned the tiny frog, the skeleton was hung up to dry. Have you ever made Frog Skeleton Soup?

G is for Guaguas
These bread dolls are traditionally made and sold during the month of November, partly to celebrate Dia de los Muertos and partly to honor other saints. The bread is almost the size of a baby (although not as heavy) and has a ceramic head at the top. Most bakeries have stopped the long and arduous process of making and baking the guaguas, but they can still be found at Panaderia Las Americas.

H is for Herrajes
“Do you work at a bakery?” was the question she had for me after I asked all about the desserts and breads they sold. One sweet dessert included these manjar filled, folded puff pastries.

I is for Ice Cream
Fresh milk is mixed with sugar, frozen, then dusted with cinnamon. This is sold as Queso Helado, or “Frozen Cheese” all over the city. Sometimes it is cut in such a way that it does seem to resemble blocks of cheese and at times, the mixture is much creamier. To me it tasted like frozen milk, but at the same time, the taste grew on me.

J is for Jorge, Sandra & Matias
This wonderful family hosted us during our time in Arequipa. They have lived in Arequipa less than 3 years as the directors of YoungLife Arequipa. A big thank you to the family as they opened their doors and their hearts over this long weekend.

K is for Kola Escocesa
Upon first taste, you worry that you will be reminded of horrible cough syrup. Then you realize it must be what they add to make Cherry Coke. It seemed to be a popular drink throughout Arequipa as I often saw it on the walls of the corner stores and sold at other restaurants we visited.

L is for Latte
We visited Café Berea, a coffee shop run by the Calvary Chapel church in Arequipa. Along with serving coffee and desserts for reasonable rates, they also offer games, magazines and books to use during your visit. They certainly have more than just lattes!

M is for Manjar Blanco
Manjar Blanco is Peru’s version of Dulce de Leche and is sandwiched between cookies of all flavors. These are various forms of alfajores filled with manjar blanco.

N is for Nuns
The nuns at the Santa Catalina Monastery were in isolation for over 400 years until 1970 when the “city within a city” was opened up for the public. The nuns still maintain their cloistered life, but in a smaller part of the grounds so the public can now enjoy the beauty of the Convent grounds.

O is for Ocopa
Potatoes are used in meals and appetizers all over Peru, but the sauce they are served with seems to vary with location. Ocopa Arequipeña is a sauce made of yellow peppers, queso fresco, huacatay, peanuts and animal crackers.

P is for Plaza de Armas
The main square of Arequipa was full of life both during the day and at night.

Q is for Queso Fresco
Fresh Cheese is often eaten with morning bread, but this particular type is used only once it is cooked into dishes such as pastel de papas or locro.

R is for Rocoto Relleno
The Peruvian Death Pepper is stuffed and served typically as an appetizer. The market food section had booth after booth with trays of rocoto relleno.

S is for Salteña
Tradition goes that Salteñas were originally made in Salta, Argentina and those that crossed the Argentina-Boliva border took the idea with them. In Arequipa, you can find a Bolivian version as well as an Arequipeñan version.

T is for Tarteletta “de la Casa”
Sitting on the balcony for dessert, I tried to decipher the menú that was handed to me. The waitress seemed most lost than I was. Although I did not order exactly what I got, I was pleased with my Peruvian Rice Pudding Tart in a coconut cookie tart shell. Delicious. I am already dreaming up how to make a version in my own kitchen.

U is for Umbrella
The door was opened to a courtyard and we saw the bakery we had looked for earlier, La Canasta. The courtyard was full of tables and chairs under umbrellas. We decided that our early morning outing deserved a delicious, leisurely breakfast and coffee here.

V is for Volcanoes
Arequipa is surrounded by three volcanoes: El Misti (5822m), Pichi Pichi (5669m) and Chachani (6057m).

W is for White City
The product of the volcanic rock in Arequipa is sillar. It is said to be easy to work with but structurally sound under pressure. Its porous nature is the reason for excellent acoustics and thermal properties. This rock is seen as the main material for buildings throughout the city.

X is for Xmas Tree
What a surprise to see a Christmas tree up and decorated in the house we stayed in. It is hard to believe on hot summer days that Christmas is around the corner!

Y is for Yanahuara
A Mestizo style church, built in 1750, sits on the plaza of Yanahuara, a town just outside of the main city of Arequipa. At the end of the plaza stands a mirador which looks over the city and affords you a gorgeous view of the volcanoes.

Z is for Zanahoria
Imagine my delight when I saw multi-colored carrots at the grocery store! I had seen them on so many other blogs but had never seen them in real life.