Thanksgiving in Arequipa

 Thanksgiving 2013

For the past 4 years we have traveled during the Thanksgiving holidays.  We have celebrated Thanksgiving in Bali, the Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, and this we year we headed to Arequipa and Colca Canyon in south Peru.  While we are enjoying experiencing new places we do look forward to one day sitting around the Thanksgiving table with family and friends in Texas.

Day 1:  Tours in Arequipa.  We visited a mansion, a saw mill, and a monastery.

The kids loved seeing llamas and alpacas throughout our tours.

Layne was super excited to see this saw mill.  She recognized it immediately because she watches American Pickers with me.

A local little boy loved playing with the kids.

 We had lunch at a traditional Peruvian lunch.  My favorite part of Peruvian food is that they serve avacado (La Palta) as appetizers.  It is so delicious.

Volcano in background

 The buildings in Arequipa are magnificent.  Doors and walls are so colorful.  It would be a photographer's dream to use this city as a background.

The kids favorite part of our city tour was the Santa Catalina Monastery.  We took a 1 hour guided tour and the history behind the monastery kept the kids very interested and asking questions.

  In Peru, guinea pigs are a source of food.  The kids had a hard time getting past that thought.  They think of them as pets and not food.  These in the picture are pets though.

 This is the view from our hotel on the square in Arequipa.

Lomas de Lachay

Lomas de Lachay is a national reserve in the desert foothills north of Lima.  We took a day trip there with the girls' school.  The school organized a couple of buses to take families up for a day of hiking. It was a lovely day of hiking and having a picnic lunch while trekking.  Most of the hike was very manageable but there were a few spots that the kids needed assistance.  Overall, well worth it for a day outdoors with family and friends.

Bryce and Layne with their friends Heidi and Sarah.

Once we reached the top, everyone agreed it was worth the hike up.  It was absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful.  One side was green and lush and the opposite was desert mountains.  The breeze was very cold and it was a great way to cool off after hiking up the mountain.

All the kids celebrating their accomplishment of making it to the top.

Graham racing down the top of the mountain.

Brian throwing Bryce over the cliff.

Halloween Peruvian Style

October 31, 2013

Halloween was celebrated a little different this year but am still very thankful that the kids were able to celebrate at all.  Pumpkins were sold in the grocery stores for a CHEAP price compared to what we paid in Singapore.  I think I could have bought every pumpkin in the store and still would have spent less than Singapore.  Since we did not have the heat to contend with we were also able to carve pumpkins earlier this year.  The kids always have a great time when it comes to carving pumpkins.

As for trick or treating, Graham's school held a Halloween event with decorated cars, haunted house and fun playing.  It was a well attended event and the kids enjoyed it.  I stuck with the girls and Graham took off with his friends.  I finally found him once it started getting dark playing football with his friends.  It is hard to believe that he is almost "over" the whole idea of trick or treating much less dressing up.

car decorated with a Smurf Theme

Massive crowd