Interesting Facts About Arequipa

1. Arequipa is the 2nd largest city in Peru.
2. Population of 904,931 in 2009
3. Located in the Andes Mtns. with an altitude of 7,800 feet above sea level. We get winded after climbing the stairs. The air is thinner.
4. Dry & sunny all year long...driest desert in the world. We use a lot of lotion!
5. Surrounded by volcanic cones or mtns.: Misti, Chachani, Ampato, & Mismi
6. Starting point of the Amazon River, the longest river in the world
7. Nicknamed "La Ciudad Blanca", "The White City" because its buildings are built of pearly white volcanic rock.
8. The Peruvians love 1980's rock music. I've heard more Bon Jovi & Michael Jackson than I've ever heard in the States. Funny thing is that they can't understand the words; they just like the music.
9. Average cost of a taxi ride is $2.00. Very few people own cars.
10. Everyone eats a big lunch and a small supper.
11. Our Super Wal-Mart is an open flea market. One booth for school supplies; one booth for paper products, one booth for baking products, one booth for candy, etc. No more one stop shopping!
12. Most of the houses still have separate entrances for servants.
13. Men's underwear is expensive; $6.00 per pair. (Somehow, most of Rodney's did not get packed???)
14. 3 Soles = 1 Dollar
15. No McDonald's, but Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, & KFC. We would rather have the local restaurants...our whole family ate supper for $11.00 the other day. We had rotisserie chicken, french fries, avacado salad, and cokes. Can you believe that??!!