Convento Santa Catalina

This convent is one of the oldest in the Americas and certainly the biggest. It has several streets inside the convent, neighbourhoods - a city within a city. For about 30 years now it has been open to the public and the nuns have moved elsewhere.
typical street
The tour is very nice. The guides are not permitted to mention any money so you just have to guess what is appropriate to give them. Or you can just walk and admire
street corner

There is a square, with a fountain, where the nuns used to come on a saturday afternoon and trade small things they had made among themselves. They had no contact with people beyond the walls except under strict supervision.

the trading square

After we finished our tour we found a small corner and took a break. It is hot here but as soon as you move into the shade you feel better. The heat is not oppressive.

A cool spot

Right beside where we were sitting were a double row of places to wash clothes. Water ran down the central spine and you simply put your hand across the channel to divert water into your basin.
Washing Stations

There were several kitchens, some communal and some private, but the fireplace in each of them looked more or less like this one. That inverted cone by the fireplace is a water filter. It is a hollowed-out stone. There is no hole in it, the walls are a couple of inches thick. Water just seeps through. What comes out the bottom is safe to drink even if what goes in the top is not.

A fireplace
The colors chosen are supposed to be similar to the original colors. They certainly brighten up the place.


Ali in a Doorway
Ali was in the mood to pose so there are a few of her.

Ali in a window

There is a first time for everything. Ali at confession. I don't think anyone is listening.

Ali at Confession

Another rest. The pace here is slow enough that you really never feel rushed. Even in going to work. I want to get to work by 9:15? Then I leave home at 9:05, walk downstairs, hail a taxi (there is a taxi stand near our home) and am in school by 9:11.

Olga and Ali
Just to prove I was there.


Andy and Ali