We arrived at Arequipa early! Early early! Around 5:30… we slept ok on the bus which had good leg room, leg supports and blankets but it wasn’t the best night sleep… we were all very much looking forward to showers and a nap. But unfortunately that would have to wait, our checkin wasn’t untill 12!

So what is there to do with 3 tired boys and slightly grumpy parents on a Sunday morning in Arequipa…: well not a lot. We dropped our luggage of at the hostel and went in search of coffee and somewhere to chill out. Unfortunately nothing was open at all! On the streets was only us and the odd taxi flying past. However what was instantly apparent was how stunning the city is. The old centre windy cobbled streets is all built out white volcanic rock, which all seem to lead to a grand platza, churches or monasteries. Whilst wandering the narrow streets you get glimpses of the many volcanoes surrounding the city.

At 7:30 having covered the old centre twice we gave up on finding anything open and headed back to the hostel. Here we managed to negotiate having the breakfast from our last morning today instead! Bonus! Feeling much happier after some food and coffee we headed up onto the Sun terrace and promptly feel asleep on the loungers.

As the sun rose and the air warmed we all started to stir to take off the many layers we had need in the early hours of the morning. This is the first time at altitude this trip and combined with a night on the bus we were all feeling a little groggy. With still a couple of hours to kill we again set off into the old centre but this time in search of somewhere to watch the England game.

The streets were a little busier, more tourists milling around and a few coffee shops and tourist trinkets shops open but still the place seemed really quiet… there was certainly no bars or restaurants open and no loud sounds of a football game. As a last ditch attempt we search live sports bar and only one out of the old town showed up on Google. It was a 20min walk and we were doubtful it would be open… assuming Sundays are a no alcohol day in the religious centre of Arequipa.

Unsurprisingly when we finally arrived at the road it was deserted, all the doors and windows shutters closed tight. Not wanting to give up we checked the address and located the correct number, it looked completely shut but…. All of sudden there was a shout of a crowd of people behind a seemingly closed door. I knocked… no answer … put my ear to the door… I could definitely hear a football game and a crowd of people. So I tried the door… and sure enough this “lock in” bar was actually showing the game and inside were a lot of England fans and a lot of general Euro Football fans (probably supporting Slovakia).

Apparently the owner was an England fan (maybe it’s good for business to be on that day😂😂😂) and although he wasn’t supposed to be open he wanted to show the game!

So the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon we spent the boys first “lock in” experience watching England scrape through to the next round. Thank goodness for Bellingham’s over head kick.