HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY!

On May 29th (Sandy's 59th birthday) the language school

took their students on a tour around the Arequipa area.

Even though Sandy has already "graduated" he joined us.

Our first stop was at an absolutely beautiful overlook

actually not too far from our apartment, called
"Carmen Alto."

Stunning view of Misti


The overlook had an aviary with
some brightly colored birds...

and calla lilies galore.

There were also several cages of cuyes

(guinea pigs) which are raised as a
gastronomical delicacy here in Peru!

Our next destination was a rock quarry,
and on the road we encountered

a herd of running cattle!

Sandy looking at the quarry site...
many of the buildings in the Arequipa

region are made of this white "sillar."

Here a gentleman in his 80's
cuts the sillar blocks - his

family has done this work

for several generations.

younger workers

The blocks probably

weigh around 40 pounds each.

Leaving the area, we see

strawberry pickers in the fields

With Don and Joy Norris, other students

from the U.S. at the language school,

who attend afternoon classes with Gloria.

San Miguel Catholic Church,
one of the oldest in Arequipa.

Some artwork depicting the Incas

in an adjoining museum.

ABC Language School teachers and students

on the roof of the church.

Another fellow afternoon student of Gloria's,

MaryBeth Penner from Canada.

With Sandy's former teachers,

Abby and Juan Carlos.

View of a small park in front of the church from the rooftop.
On to our final destination of the tour...

Going up the steps to the Sachaca Tower,

an awesome overlook of Arequipa.

Looking towards Pichu Pichu.

To cap off a great tour, we eat a special meal together
at a nice restaurant overlooking the Rio Chile.

The entertainment was provided by "Charo" Alejandro,
wearing an outfit almost identical to one Sandy had as a little boy.
He sang both "Happy Birthday" and "Las Mananitas" to Sandy!