Lake Titicaca

Hey all,

took a few days off there in Cusco and didn"t do much at all!! We went out wednesday on a bit of a pub crawl covering the Irish and English themed bars which was good!! Met some other Irish girls from Newry in Paddy Flaherty"s and their Australian tour leader- ended up going to two clubs with them- Mythology and Mama Africas. It was really good craic it was after three when we got back to the hotel. The next day was another lopunge around the cafes day and went out that night for Annes 28th. We went to an Indian restaurant for an ok meal and then out for drinks after. It was a belated celebration as Anne had been struck down with "travellers sickness" after getting back from Machu Picchu, but we were only a day late!! We went to a really cool cocktail bar which was relatively expensive but really funkily decorated inside!! We only stayed for one and then went on to Mythology again. Music was really good and we danced for hours!! Didnt get back to the hotel til half4 this time- the party and happy hours were still going!! It was a slow start at 8am the next morning as we had to get up to leave for Puno.

It was a 6hour drive and we were hoping to avoid the roadblock in Sicuani again as we had to retrace part of our journey. We had been warned that there was a roadblock in the days before we left and were considering our options (or having them considered for us) but the day before we left they said it was cleared and we could pass. We did hit a small one, but it was only to slow traffic down enough to paint slogans all over them!! There was no hassle or anything though, they wished us a safe journey as we passed!! Wes was not happy, we stopped for lunch to assess the damage- they had painted slogans in white paint all over the sides of the truck and even the wheels!!

Wasn"t much to do in Puno when we got there, had the orientation walk and bought presents (food) for the families we would be staying with in Amantani Island. We met our guide for Lake Titicaca and went out for dinner. It was halloween but we would be celebrating on Lake Titicaca, and besides were too wrecked from the night before!! The streets were crazy though, packed with children all dressed up loking for presents from the shops and hotels. Took awhile to get to sleep that night too- they were celebrating the towns 340th anniversary aswell as halloween!!

The next day we were up bright and early to get our boat to the islands. Our transfers were on bicycle taxis and it was great craic racing through the streets trying to beat everyone around us!! It was 30mins to the floating reed islands which were our first stop.

We were taught a few words in Aymara by Alejandro (our guide) as they were the Atmaran Indians, but they had perfect Spanish so we were able to chat away to them!! We were given a talk on how they lived- built their houses and their islands!! They need to build a new island every 15-20 years as they tend to sink- byt cutting the soil that the reeds grow from- drying it and tying them together so they form a floating base. Then they layer reeds on top on the soil and finally their houses. Amazing work!! We were brought into their houses for a look around and a chat- they were lovely!! We took a reed boat across to another island where we saw a fishing pond and a few well-fattened guinea pigs!!

Afterwards it was a long three hour drive to Amantani island where we would be staying. We were staying with the Colca Catchi community (one of 10) and were spit up to stay with our families. Myself, Mary and Tamara were together in Gladys house. Turns out Gladys was in Puno but her sister Lucy looked after us instead. Her mother, father, daughter, husband and sisters sons were all there aswell. The mother looked quite grumpy and barely spoke a word to us even when we tried out our Quechua!! Can"t win them all!! We had lunch and then went to the football pitch to see the lads show off. After I went for a walk up the mountain to 4200m with some of the others in our lake titicaca group (there was more than us on the boat) and saw the sun set at the top. There were beautiful scenes at the top, we could see all across the lake all the way to the snow capped mountains of Bolivia. It was a nice walk- got chatting to a lot of randoms including a teacher who wanted me to practice english with his group of students!!

Back down in the house we played with Jocelyn, Lucys daughter, who at 4 was a right wee madam!! Very demanding but shes probably used to all the tourists playing with her- they have people once or twice a week!!! Dinner was lovely and then we had to get changed into their traditional costumes!! I though we looked very well but Mary and Tamara weren"t as impressed!! It was hard to breath though!! We were brought down to the community hall where there were two traditional bands playing. The famnilies had us all up dancing at various stages- it was good craic although more people could have made an effort to enjoy themselves!!! The music lasted two hours which was just as well beause we were shattered for some reason, and we went back to the house at 10pm. A strange halloween!!

Today we were us early- I woke up at half4 with a full bladder but held on as i didnt want to go outside a squat in the freezing cold in the dark!! Tams and Mary were awake at half5 with a similar complaint!! We were brought over to Taquile Island for another walk and chat about ruins- which thankfully I missed I walked ahead too quick!! The leader of the Island told us what restaurant we had to eat at- there is so many they have to split up the visitors so that every restaurant had an equal amount of business!!! It seems the only reason to visit Taquile Island is to hav lunch! Anyway, it was nice and then we were back on the boat for the 3hour trip back to Puno and the mainland. Caught up on mu journal and read most of the Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guavera on the way!!

We are heading out to dinner tonight for our last meal in Peru before travelling to La Paz tomorrow!! Exciting!!

Orla
xx

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