Peter is writing- that means time for another boring factual post! Internet too slow for pictures but trying to add.
Lake Titicaca, at almost 4000m above sea level, is the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest lake in South America. We spent two nights in Puno on the shores of the lake, and did an overnight homestay on Amantani, one of the large islands in the lake. The lake is so smooth that none of our tour group had seasickness, even after 7 hours on boats (this is a big deal for me).
On our way to Amantani and Taquile, we stopped on one of the floating islands of the Uros people. 2500 people live on the dozens and dozens of these artificial islands made from reeds, making their livelihood from fishing, farming reeds, and tourism. The 40m square island we visited was the home of 5 families and one cat. Everything is made of Totora reeds: the islands, the small houses and cooking huts, and even the traditional boats.
On Amantani we stayed with Lydia and Julio, a couple the same age as us. Extremely nice and willing victims of my bad Spanish. 4000 Quechua people live on Amantani, farming and raising sheep. The entire island is covered with farming terraces. Not enough pasture for alpacas or llamas, this was the first place we saw not overrun with dogs! In the evening we got to borrow some of our hosts' traditional clothes and dance at a tourist "fiesta".
I'll admit, I would describe the tour we took as "kind of a racket". Very cheap, lots of opportunities to buy things, lackluster guide. I'm glad we went but anyone else going should try to find a higher-class outfit.
That said, I'm blown away by the friendliness we encounter. Our hotel clerk Dani helped us to arrange everything: our tours, busses, everything, Spanish only, and was so happy to talk and learn more about us. The same for our bus guide Monica. When we tried to take a local bus today that was too full to take us, we taxi carpooled with some awesome French backpackers, and our driver Valdo chatted the whole time and told us everything we needed to know.
that's a great shot of the lake #ruleofthirds
ReplyDelete