Peru Internship for summer in Arequipa. What do you recomend?

Question

I do not speak Spanish. I am very interested in food and textiles ( as well as food). What can people recommend? I have read general things about food and culture of Peru.

Answer 1

Arequipa is a fairly large city and I would imagine that you could sample and learn about different foods there as well as any other city in Peru.  Its close to the ocean and so different seafoods would be available.

I felt it was safer then Lima.  Many things to see and do within an easy days travel of the city.  Finally, close to Bolivia and Chile which would offer some different foods and textiles.

Answer 2

Arequipa is a great place to visit. But don't believe it's safer than Lima. Generaly in Peru you have to be alert and get informed of how you can avoid trouble.

I don't want to scare you, I love Arequipa and Peru. But during your stay, be carefull not to take any TAXI on the street at night, it's better to phone a Taxi company and make them pick you up. And is best to go out with people you know. Arequipa has turned into a city full of tourist and many crooks want to take advantage of them being such easy targets to spot.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,...

Ok, having stated that issue, let's move to your question. There are many restaurants to go, one of the most fancy ones is SOL DE MAYO (Sun of May), please have Queso Frito its a local cheese deep fried, it doesn't melt down, it gets crispy on the outside and produces a wonderfull taste. I've never tried anything like it elsewhere. Other restaurants: El Rinconcito Arequipeño, La Alcantarilla (Ostrich meat) and Las Tinajas.

Tipical Arequipa Meals: Rocoto Relleno (Stuffed Red Chilli Pepper with meat and cheese), SOLTERITO (salad made with giant Lima Beans, giant peruvian Corn, chopped onion, chopped tomato, parsley, red chili pepper and white cheese). there's many other peruvian dishes that you are going to love to discover: Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Aji de Gallina, please check them out on the internet.

Peru is famous for it's Cotton, and Arequipa for baby Alpaca wool. You'll find beautifull things made of both. There's also a Mall where you can find almost anything.

Answer 3

FInd a place in the US that sends people there, otherwise you'll have to speak Spanish.  If you work with gringos, you'll be fine.  Look at www.expatperu.com and www.livinginperu.com

Answer 4

Arequipa is the second largest city of Peru.  It is refered to as the "white city" because many of the buildings are made from white Sillar stones.  Arequipa is much safer than Lima and is close to CHile (7 hours by bus) and BOlivia (9 hours by bus)  Many traditional Andean foods are available in Arequipa such as Quy, Quinia, Tarwyn, Chuño, etc.  In many of the muesums of Arequipa one can view Incan textiles and copies of the same are available in many markets.  Good luck.