Are quepay = Arequipa = Stay here

Greetings from Arequipa, Peru.

Since my tearful departure from Mexico my spirits have been lifted by the kindness and gentle smiles of the Peruvian people. After two days of travel, and a lay over in Lima, I stepped off the plane in Arequipa, and promptly met my challenger- Chachani stood tall over me, snow capped and crisp.

Upon arrival to the GVI base, a quaint hotel on a quiet side of town, I was greeted by the warm sunshine and the resident tortoise. I like it here already, I thought.

Then I met my host family, an older lady with a heart of gold and two young, beautiful grand daughters. Since arriving "home" she has hugged me no less than 10 times and every time I try and speak my poor broken spanish she claps and smiles warmly. I don't like it here, I love it here.

(this is the view from my room, no joke)

Arequipa is a beautiful place. Clean, colonial and calm. I felt at home instantaneously. There are many stories as to how Arequipa got its name, but my favourite is about a tribe that migrated here centuries ago. They liked it so much they asked the local Inca general if they could stay, and he said "Are quipay" which means "Stay here". I feel like telling someone, anyone: sure, I'll stay.

Today I also met the other three construction volunteers (two Brits and a Canadian- all guys). For the next 3 weeks we will be building a 10,000 water reservoir in a nearby community. Here in the desert that is Arequipa water is a priority. In small "new towns" (residential towns that were established about 20 years ago) water is collected from a central pump which the government conveniently turns off for most of the day.

To combat this problem GVI has build 11 water reservoirs, providing a rationing system of 10 visits per family in the area, governed and controlled by locals themselves.

Either way, I am pleased to be reunited with a spade. I am happiest when dusty, mixing cement under the sun. And, I can't think of a better reason to blister my hands and get sun burnt than to make water more accessible for others.

Water is a human right. Right?

Are quepay = Arequipa = Stay here