Peru - Lake Titikaka

Sept 23 Cusco to Puno



Today we take long distance bus for the six hour ride through Peru’s alti-plano to Puno, besides Lake Titikaka. This is mostly highland country, all above 11,000 feet, with miles of mud brick houses, and indigenous farmers in traditional dress and bowler hats attending their cows, lamas, alpacha, and sheep. The little lamb are so cute!

Cruising Peru's Alti-plano

Cute little guy loves grass

Puno

Sept 24 Puno

Today we take a really fun half day tour to visit the Oros people, who live in floating islands on Lake Titikaka. These people are pretty hard core; making floating islands, houses, and boats out of reed straw which grows around the shallows of the lake. Apparently this was their method of achieving independence from the Incas, as no one bothered them on the lake.

The floor of the island is extremely soft, kind of like walking on a straw water bed. It’s pretty much guaranteed that none of the islanders have knee problems. The people are really friendly and invite us into their homes to try on traditional dress, and take pictures. A little girl of about three picks up her little brother to show him off for pictures. He is so fat, that she can barely carry him!

One of the islander’s demonstrates how to create a floating island. Afterwards, the ladies demonstrate market bartering, which is really funny. The ladies sit in a circle all talking at the same time; pulling items out of each other’s bowls and smacking each other on the head when the trading get unfair.

We ride a reed boat to another island. On departure, the islanders sing songs in Spanish, English, and German, and then conclude with “Hasta La Vista, Baby!”

Harvest some reeds

With a quick stroke

Then, saw square blocks of roots and dirt, which float

Tie them together with rope

Install the flooring

Finally, build some houses and anchor the island

And ready to open the market for bartering

Joining the village family

Vana bears children

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

In the afternoon, we visit the tiny coca museum in Puno. First, there is a video describing the various traditional dances in Peru. The dances use elaborate costumes with locals as slaves triumphing over the greedy devilish Spanish, through faith and hard work.

Dance costume

The museum also includes a historical account of the coca leaf; pre-Inca times, early twentieth century medicine, Coca-Cola, and cocaine. Apparently, the coca leave contains many vitamins, and minerals, and chewing the leaf is important for energy, health, and preventing tooth decay.

Coca facts sheet

Art relics show locals chewing coca leaves

For dinner, we tire of the Peru tourist menu, and go out for pizza. We usually avoid gringo food, but the wood fired pizza is really delicious; almost Monster Kid quality (Kevin's college buddy makes a tasty pizza). Also the wood fired pizza restaurants are nice and warm inside. Above 11000 feet, it’s cold at night!

Pizza dreamin

CLICK HERE to see Lake Titikaka pictures