The Wanderer

Arrived today in Huaraz after a short stay in Lima. Slept off the drowsiness from the night bus in the morning, and then headed out for breakfast a little before noon. It didn't take long to realize that although Huaraz is a pleasant little town, there is really not much of interest in the town itself. It is essentially a staging point for excursions in the Cordillera Blanca and the Callejòn de Huaylas. So instead of spending the rest of the day twiddling my thumbs in the tiny plaza of Huaraz, my friend and I took a short trip to the nearby Aguas Termales (hot springs) in Monterrey. For less than a dollar, you can enter the hot springs, and choose between two large public pools or 1-4 person private baths. The minerals in the water and the natural heat provided by the nearby volcanoes made for a very relaxing stay. After 20 minutes in the water, I felt any stress melt away, and I was completely relaxed. Actually, lazy might be a better description, since after the hot springs I was SO relaxed that I really didn't want to do anything but sit around. But since the hot springs are located in such a beautiful location, this turned out to be a good idea, and we sat and sipped our soft drinks for an hour or so before grabbing a bite to eat and taking the bus back to Huaraz. The weather was perfect all day, bright and sunny and clear, providing good views of the surrounding mountains. All in all, it was a good day, and a great start to my time in Huaraz.