After spending a few nights in La Paz - (don't ask what it's like; we were bed ridden from altitude sickness... All I know is there are no road rules and lots of beeping) - we headed for lower ground in Arequipa, Peru.

This little beauty is the second largest city in Peru and is surrounded by three very much still active volcanoes (one of which is considered the most perfectly sculpted volcano in the world, Misty Mountain).

This city plays host to a bustling farmer's market, which meant I was in heaven! So much fresh fruit and veg - but only peelable fruit for us. Luckily there were mangoes (the size of a small child), bananas and oranges. Delicious! Nuts, grains and seeds are also ridiculously cheap here, so another win. Brazil nuts, quinoa, peanuts, chia, the list keeps going - don't stress I took full advantage and have been going nuts (pun intended) over it all.

My favourite occurance in this city was when Marc and I were walking about a somewhat European looking part of town (stone streets, cute flower baskets, beautiful old fashion light posts). Both getting quite hungry, we decided a feed was in order. Going off my instinct (busy with locals - it's a winner) we ended up waltzing beyond a stone wall to find a bunch of people feasting and frantic waitstaff. Having tried my hand at asking for a menu in Spanish, I was directed to a seat (with no menu). Within minutes we had drinks being delivered along with cultery, salted deep-fried corn kernels and condiments - I still have no idea what is going on. I didn't ask for anything yet; I haven't even seen the menu! Next we have bowls of soup in front of us. I didn't ask for soup. Of course we helped ourselves to it, we were hungry and it tasted good - but i didn't ask for this. By this point I am in hysterics; I have no idea what is happening. We have food and I haven't even said a word yet. Eventually we were asked one question - ¿pollo o carne? (Chicken or beef?) - first question of the day! But what am I doing with chicken or beef? No idea. However, by this point there have been so many suprises in the past 30 minutes I feel the need to continue the trend. One of each for us. Luckily nothing too obscure ended up on our plate, beef noodles and chicken cordon bleu with rice. Tasty! And this time we kind of asked for food. By the time we were ready to leave and pay our bill we were yet again suprised - s/12 for everything (a rough AUD$5 or 6 to feed both of us - two courses, nibblies and drinks). We left completely baffled, with full bellies and stoked with life. Still not sure what happened, but we'll happily go back!