Puno and Lake Titicaca

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Our border crossing from Bolivia to Peru was the easiest one yet. We got off the bus, walked across the border, had our passport stamped and got back on the same bus. Whilst in Puno we visited the islands of Lake Titicaca. We took a tour and ended up being on what looked like an Australian Saga holiday as we were the only ones below fifty. Firstly we visited the floating islands which are made entirely of the reeds from the lake. It was a weird sensation as the land was moving below us as we walked but we thought it a very cool way to live. The Uros people fell out with the people on the land hundreds of years ago and decided to distance themselves by building a whole floating community including a school, church and hospital. From there we took a boat across to another floating island. The boat was also made from the reeds and they only last a month so they have to keep on making them. Not only do they build their land with the reeds but they eat them aswell. We tried one, peeling back the top layer and it tastes like pretty much nothing just water. From there we travelled to Amantani Island where we were introduced to our homestay family. We had a snack with them in their kitchen which was a very small shed with a tin roof with holes in to let light through. It was outside, seperate to the rest of the house and their oven was made from rubble with leaves as firewood. It was very difficult for us to communicate as they did not speak any english and we only knew basic spanish. Despite this the family was very sweet and there was three generations of them and us squeezed into their tiny kitchen eating potatoes from a blanket off the floor. Our lunch was served to us in our bedroom and was more potatoes, soup and tea made from a leaf found locally said to be good for the altitude. It was disgusting but did help. Late afternoon we hiked up to the plaza where we met the rest of the group. From there we went to the top of the island to watch a beautiful sunset. After dark we walked down with our torches to the plaza where we were met by the children of the family who took us back to their home. They walked in the dark with no torches taking us across fields and they still knew the way. In the evening we dressed up in the traditional clothes, met with the rest of the group and danced to the traditional music. We danced with Rita, one of the children of the family and had great fun. On the way back to the house we were walking in the dark when Rita suddenly stopped without a word, hitched up her skirt and squatted on the ground. It was really random and she did it like it was the most normal thing in the world, we carried on walking following the little girl of the family.

The next day we got up early, said goodbye to our host family and went to the Island of Taquile. We visited the plaza where the guide explained about the weaving traditions. The women here weave all day whilst walking around going about their daily business. The men wear floppy nightcaps in the day which show whether they are single or taken. If single the hats are red and white and if taken they are just red. We visited a photo exhibition whilst we were there where a few people of the island had been given digital cameras and lessons on how to take photographs. There were some really good photos and even one of a chavvy gringo! From the plaza we hiked down 500 steps back to the boat where we travelled back to Puno. Whilst in Puno we had a great cheap chinese. Chinese is very, very popular in Peru because there is a huge chinese comunnity and it was great to have some food to remind us of home and tasted like we expected. It was a short and sweet stay in Puno as there was not much to do so we moved on to Cusco.

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Comments

[Joanna]

Hi Sams, I love the outfit and Sam D looks like she is going to take off in hers! It looks like a beautiful island and so remote. Sounds like you have been seeing a lot of sun sets and walking lots. Glad your both enjoying yourselfs. Take care. Love Joanna xx

[Mum V]

Love your twirling skirts
Hi girls you look like you are both having a great time in your twirling skirts. I cannot imagine what you are going through seeing our other people live... so so poor but they are happy. It sounds like you had a good time even though you struggled with the language. Wow floating islands! that must have been an experience. Its strange how the children knew their way in the dark. I bet you were both scared.. Glad you was able to get some chinese food after the other stuff you had eaten. lv mum xxx