Sep. 29, 2016.  Casablanca Hostal, Arequipa, Peru.

• After a typical nothing much hotel breakfast (fried eggs, bread & butter, coffee, juice), I decided to revisit the tour agencies and see if anybody else signed up.  Just for giggles I stopped at another tour agency on the way and lo and behold, they had a spot for me, starting tomorrow morning at 8, for a two-day hike.  I filled out the form, carefully avoiding putting down my age, handed over about $90, and woo woo, I am ready to go for it.  

• Went to the bus station to see how schedules are for going to the Colca Canyon area, and decided I would first go to Corire to see the Toro Muerto petroglyphs, so made no reservations.  Then on to the Iglesias de la Compania, a lovely Jesuit church with an over the top churrigueresque style front (think baroque and then some), and an altar inside completely covered with gold leaf.  The adjacent San Ignacio chapel had a polychrome cupola smothered in jungle-like murals of tropical flowers, fruit, and birds.  I took one (illegal) photo and then got the hell out.

• Finally, the Museo Santuarios Andinos, beautifully arranged, and expertly guided, including even a movie, about the discovery of the so-called "Ice Maiden" unearthed atop Nevada Ambato in 1995, thanks to the adjacent volcano erupting and melting the snow on Ambato to expose "Juanita".  Beautifully preserved, after 500 years, with skin, hair, clothes intact.  Pretty magical.

• Went to one of the top restaurants in the town, Zingaro, for a local delicacy: chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder, with corn, potatoes, cheese, and other stuff I couldn't figure out) - terrific, but expensive (about $25).  Now back at the hotel, packing my backpack with 6 liters of water, junk food, sleeping bag, etc.  They are supposed to provide me with real hiking boots tomorrow.  Wish me luck.