Got up early yesterday and took a tuk-tuk (picture attached) to the shores of Lake Titicaca to board a very rickety boat for a 3 hour journey to explore the islands of the lake. First stop was Taquile Island. The natives there are very traditional, except for the fact that the women spin all of the wool and the men are responsible for all of the knitting (see pic of me sitting beside and old man knitting a traditional hat). 
After having lunch on the island, we travelled a short distance to Amantani Island. Upon arrival on both islands, our guide took us on a ¨mild¨ hike to the top... we were all sweating and barely made it up. This was the best lesson I will ever get in the virtues of packing VERY LIGHT, as I obviously overpacked and payed for it the whole way up! On Amantani Island, we were split into small groups and introduced to our host families that we will be staying with overnight. While the people of the island are very poor, they are extremely friendly and very proud of their modest homes. We stayed with a couple named Ruben and Mahora, as well as their son Joel and one set of grandparents. We 
watched Mahora make dinner and I asked (in broken Quechea, the native language) if I could help. She gave me a carrot and a huge dull knife, and I think she 
was less than impressed by my kitchen skills (see mom - I can cook if I have to... kind of!). We ate in the tiny kitchen and then gave the family gifts: rice, pasta, sugar, candles, etc. After dinner, they dressed us in traditional clothing for the night´s fiesta, where we danced and drank with the locals and another group of tourists. (Mars - there was a guy from Adelaide, but he didn't know Glen!). It was truly an unforgettable experience to see the was these people live... and makes my place on Yonge look like a mansion! (especially the bathroom!!) 
After we had a ¨pancake¨breakfast with the family, we got back on our boat and travelled to the floating island of the Uros people. The island is built entirely of reeds about 2 meters deep and floats in the lake. It was built when fisherman fled from the conquering Incas and now they live there and have made 
the houses out of reeds too!! Crazy!!
the houses out of reeds too!! Crazy!!
Off to explore more of Puno (and the local discos!) and then taking a 6 hour bus ride to Cuzco tomorrow. Stay tuned!
2 comments:
Hey Kim,
Wow, sounds like you are having an awesome time!
Be careful and good luck with the camping on the side of the trail for 3 days.
Dave and I just got back from Shanghai and I thought I was roughing it when we stayed at the Holiday Inn for a few days before we moved over to the Grand Hyatt.
Didn't eat any gerbils either.
Can't wait to keep reading your blog.
Krista
I was expecting more isms!
Told Mom about your day and before I could finish telling her about you, the carrot and dull knife, she broke in and asked how bad you cut your hand!
Beer update?
Post a Comment