Sept 10th 2004. Stayed Arquipa youth hostel for 10 soles ($3). It was a decent hostel nothing fancy, not many tourists in this hostel. Although I did meet a guy from Santa Rosa, California there. He is working in Peru as backcountry guide and also teaches English. First American guy I met that was teaching English, otherwise it is mostly kids from NZ/UK that teach English. Anyway hostel url is http://www.geocities.com/aqp_youthhostel

In Arquipa visited the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, I was not very impressed with it, but its okay if you want to spend an hour there. It was built in 1850, at one time housed 450 nuns, till 1970. In 1970 it was opened to the public. Although must say some of the colors used in the Monastery were nice.

Also visited Museo Santunos Andios. It has exhibit of Junita - the Ice Princess The frozen mummy of Inca women (13-15 year old) that was sacrificed on top of mount Ampato (6288m), about 500 years ago. The museum shows National Geographic video of the mummy discovery, then you actually see the mummy and the artifacts that were found along with the mummy. See http://www.mummytombs.com/mummylocator/featured/juanita.htm

At night went out to couple of bars, watched and participated a bit in the usual spectacle of gringos trying to score local girls.

On Sept 11th got up late, did nothing much, just uploded some photos, read NYT and SF Chronicle, its amazing that Bush is leading by 14 points. I have not met one traveller that has one thing good to say about wonderful president that only Americans seem to love. Anyway world will be very interesting place when Bush gets re-elected, better to see the world before he makes more mess!!