After an 8 hour bus journey from Lima we arrived in Huaraz this morning. We decided due to the jetlag and extensive travelling we would splash out on a posher bus so instead of the “ejecutivo” (lowest of the low) we paid a whole 10 soles more (£2) and got us the semi-cama bus (semi-bed) which has chairs which fold into semi-vertical positions and a free tea and lunch box (including a small roll and piece of Peruvian apple pie). Obviously Monika got over excited about the unexpected free food and in the morning asked for more pie which got us two free lunch boxes for breakfast!! On arrival we found the most amazing hostel like Heidi’s house with a fireplace and a terrace with a beautiful view of the mountains. As Huaraz is at 3100m above sea level, we needed a day to acclimatize so we spent the day arranging our mountain treks for the next couple of days and gawking at the beautiful Quechua women.

Peru has a large indigenous population, as a percentage only smaller than that of Bolivia and Guatemala, and the north of Peru is largely compromised of Quechua people. Like the Mayans, they have a largely agricultural society and rely heavily on potatoes and corn. The Quechua language was formed even before the Inca rule but it was the main language used by the Inca people. Unfortunately, as with many of the indigenous people of Latin America, the Quechua are struggling to find their way in 21st Century Peru and therefore more young people are learning Spanish over Quechua and the old traditions are slowly dying out. One positive is that many Latin American nations are beginning to realise the benefits of preserving these cultures and introducing the teaching of indigenous dialects into schools. As Mayan is now available as a language in some schools in Mexico, Quechua is slowly being introduced in some primary schools in Peru.

Getting ready for our long bus ride in our semi-cama. For our standards it was pretty luxurious

We couldnt believe our luck with the free food and tea. We were the happiest little gypsies in Peru!

Even the cats in Peru are friendly. This little one decided to help us choose a place to stay when we arrived at 6am!

We arrived at the hostel to be greeted with some lovely Peruvian coffee in the even lovelier sunshine and view of the mountains

From cold and miserable Lima to this!

And they say Mexicans are lazy

Spot the gringuita

A massive bowl of soup, a drink and a delicious main course in a clean and chirpy little local restaurant cost us 5soles or the equivalent of.....wait for it....one whole pound

This was my tasty dish- chicken with Chicken and Cuy sauce (made by boiling the chicken and cuy with some garlic and spices). For those of you that are not familiar with this Peruvian delicacy, in England Cuy is more commonly known as Guinea pig and yes I do meet the pet. To be fair Isaac I did warn Pantufla I would eat her cousin.