Last few days in Peru. . . . tomorrrow Bolivia!

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Hello Darlings,

Greetings from Puno (where?) - on the shores of lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable lake (though no-one seems to be entirely sure what that means!!!). And this is our last day in Peru! We had a final day in Cusco and they were having a big festival. This consisted of lots of people marching each group accompanied by their band. Pretty much everyone in Cusco seemed to be taking part: the nurses paraded, the lawyers, the accountants. the building workers and auxiliary trades, the young Israelis, various saints, virgins and churches were represented . . . . you name it they were there! Some were colourful and dancing, other goose-stepped in suits - what a bizarre spectacle! I kept wondering if Ceroc Peru were going to turn up but alas no!

The next day we caught the Orient Express train for the 10 hour journey to Puno. What a delight! The train fabulously comfortable with an open air viewing platform at the back. Wonderful food with nice wine, live music (though if I hear another rendering of El Condor Pasa on pan pipes I'm not sure I'll be resposible for my actions), and the obligatory fashion show of alpaca woolies and wraps - which yet again we failed to buy! We were sat opposite some Floridians and they were great company - one cracked the silliest joke . . . he pointed to a sole peasant working in a field and said:

"he's good at his job you know, in fact he's outstanding in his field"

Is it just the altitude? I laughed my walking socks off!

Our hotel "The Libertador" is the only 5 star hotel in Puno and it is a hideous enormous white modern building that looks like an ocean liner that has crashed into the side of the hill beside the lake. However 5 stars does get you good showers, spa, a great brekkie, very polite staff, a big bed (you know how much we appreciate a big bed), and very expensive drinks!

So today we hit the lake and visited two islands. The first was one of the floating islands of Uros. These are frankly wierd. They are soil and root and reeds on top and they are well, floating! Everthing is made of totoro reeds - their houses, beds, boats . . . You are in the bay of Puno and the water is 25 metres deep, and it's very bouncy and a bit squidgy when you walk around! These days the Uros people live off tourism - and they are very well organised on that front. Every pair of tourists is taken by a family to their house where they show you around (it's one room circa 10 foot by 8) so that doesn't take too long. Then they get you to dress up in local costume - and I can tell you now no-one will ever see that photograph!!!!!!!!

Then they show you their embroidery and reed woven goods and you do of course feel obliged to buy things - well they have been so nice to you!!! So Ian and I are now the proud owners of a wall hanging depictings aspects of life of the Uros . . . . hmmm could someone be getting this for Xmas (Neil?) or will it adorn the spare bedroom? Also we now have our trip mascot "Misti" the dog headed miniature reed boat - it is fab, the workmanship is remarkable so no you can't have him for Xmas no matter how much you sit up and beg!!! "Misti" is what the Peruvians call foreigners (rather like "guiris" in Spanish) so it seemed appropriate.

We then went on to Taquile which took two and a half hours but is actually not very far across the lake - it is bloody massive - the lake not Taquile! Taquile is famous for its simple way of life, no cars, not many animals, just 2000 people, one TV set for special occasions like a good football game, women who carry enormous loads up and down the rocky island, and men who knit. Very peaceful place - if it weren't for all the mistis!

So tomorrow we have a very full day travelling, visiting ruins on islands on the Bolivian part of lake Titicaca (they have 40 per cent and the Peruvians 60), and ending in La Paz - highest capital city in the world as I'm sure you all know!

Looking forward to it!

Thanks for messages . . . . love them so much . . . keep writing to us.

Big hugs misti friends and family, love you lots and lots and lots . . . .

Allison

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Photos

Uros
Ladies of Uros - the floating reed islands

Ian and Misti
Ian with Misti (on big bed!)

Comments

[carmen]

como siempre..yo y mi despiste, o al revés
Hola chicos, estoy viendo vuestras fotos y comentando con mi compi del trabajo, todo se ve fantástico, qué envida "totalmente insana"...........¡¡¡ me alegro mucho que hayáis podido hacer este viaje... no he podido leerlo todo, espero que en casa la familia esté bien. un beso....

[Neil]

Looking forward to Xmas
Well, I can't wait! The photo of Ian and Misti looks like a famous scene from Alien. Lake T is only one of the highest commercially navigable lakes - i.e. you can pay money to transit it. (Geography teacher's hat on). There are others that are higher that you can cross by ferry/tour boat, but not that size! The train journey sounds wonderful.

[Jude]

Hi!
Hi you two! Have just been catching up on your last week or so whilst I have a quiet moment. Glad to hear you're both having such an amazing time, despite the odd case of the tom tits. Laughed out loud at your comment on El Condor Pasa and also loved the joke about the peasant! Well impressed with all that walking you've managed. I wouldn't stand a chance with my plantar fasciitis, insoles or no insoles. Can't wait to see you on your return. Jude xxx

[Jean]

Last days
Reading about all your activities is truly fascinating. Really like the pictures you put on. The train journey sounded great. Autumn colours here are beautiful, but it is raining today! Love you lots. xxxx

[Trevor]

Return message
Hi Allison Back from my own holiday now and have at last had a chance to read through some of your epic trip digests! Glad it's all been going well, tho' I wasn't surprised to hear about Ian's stomach problems -had much the same when I was in S America (Peru) back in 2005. Still, at least you didn't get mugged in Cusco! Your last message reminded me of when our group visited the Uros Islanders, a momento from whom I still have on my window ledge -one of their highly coloured, "hand-painted" ornamental beakers (tho' I couldn't help thinking at the time that there may be some connection between these people and certain factory owners in Taiwan!). Cornwall was v. pleasant by the way; not as exotic as where you are, but some v. nice coastal walks and lots else of interest. Back dancing away again now and am hoping to make it to Chiswick tonight, tho' I'm recovering from a bit of a 'stinker' at the moment, so we'll see. The usual crowd have been around at Ish over the last few weeks but there seems to have been a bit of a new influx recently -possibly influenced by Strictly. On that point, as you were asking, some of the dross has now gone, including boxer Joe Calzage, some instantly forgettable Crimewatch presenter and z-lister Jo Wood, who bowed out disgracefully last week. It's looking good for Hollyoaks 'actor' Ricky Whittle, who can genuinely dance a bit, but personally I'm rootin' for the very graceful and beautious Ali Bastion (an actress from The Bill, apparently). Amusingly, there's also been a bit of a 'racist scandal' involving none other than 'Anton du Beke' (or Tony Beke, to give him his real name). Sadly, unlike what happened in the case of the Carol Thatcher incident some months back, the BBC decided not to boot him off the show -cynics have suggested that this might possibly have something to do with his being groomed as Brucie's natural successor. Hmmmm. Anyway, not much more news from this end. Will keep a further eye on your blog and look forward to our dancing again when you get back. All the best Trevor