It was time to head down south and see another part of Peru. I was on the fence whether I was going to attempt to see Lake Titicaca. I heard the Bolivian side is a lot better. But since I was in Peru, I figured I should see a bit more of the country. And I'm glad I did. I also didn't want Machu Picchu and the surrounding area be the only thing I saw.
The overnight bus wasn't as smooth as I hoped. The roads weren't great and I was reminded of the overnight bus I took in India. There was barely any sleep given the constant bumps. We made it to Puno around 5am. Since I had booked a tour, someone was waiting for me. Which I was grateful for. They took me to a hostel until it was time to get picked up for the boat ride. I was able to snag a nap. And a shower. Good thing as there wasn't a shower in my near future. I also noticed during my nap that I had to catch my breath every so often. I wasn't sure what altitude we were at, but I suspected I didn't get much lower than Cusco. Well it turns out that I actually went higher. I was now at to 3800 meters, where Cusco was at 3399 meters. I was at one of the highest navigable lakes in the world.
I got picked up and of course it was raining. I was second guessing my decision. All I wanted to do was be on a boat in the pouring rain for 2 days. The little of what I saw in Puno didn't help with decision. Luckily it stopped while we waited for the boat to get loaded. We were on our way around 8am and made the slow ride to the Uros Islands.
The rain had stopped, but it remained cloudy as we got off the boat to explore the straw islands. They were man-made islands. So cool. But not sure if I could live on them. We got a tutorial on how they create sod blocks and then layer them with straw. Then they proceeded to build the huts that they lived in. There's even a school on one of the islands. So interesting that people live this way, and so close to the mainland. Apparently mostly children and older adults still live there. Once kids are old enough, they head to the mainland for various reasons.
We continued on our way and had a very long boat ride to Amantani Island. Good thing the weather turned for the better. I headed up top to enjoy the ride and the views for the 3 hour boat ride. I met another American girl, one from Portugal, and another from Hungary. We would hang out over the next couple of days and longer.
We arrived on Amantani Island and the group split into smaller groups, and we were escorted to local family homes. We followed our host up the hill and through winding sidewalks and fields until we arrived at her house. There's no way I could find her house again. There were many houses that were similar looking, and I couldn't keep track of what sidewalks and fields we walked through. We were welcomed into her home, where her father and baby lived. We weren't sure what happened with the father of her baby. But he wasn't in the picture. I'm sure there's a good reason he's not there.
We were all starving after such an early start and the long boat ride. Fortunately there was food ready for us to consume. And of course lots of potatoes. I like potatoes, but they aren't my favorite. But I ate as much as I could since I was so hungry.
We paired up and settled into our home for the night. I was rooming with Eva, from Hungary. After a little bit of a rest, we were escorted to the meeting spot where we would start our hike to the top of the island. It was starting to get dark, and I think they had hopes we'd see a nice sunset. We didn't. Even with the sun being blocked by clouds, it was still a spectacular view.
There was a tradition of walking around the Pachamama temple 3 times and putting a rock somewhere nearby it. I believe this was an offering to Mother Earth, but can't quite remember. After the hike, we headed down and waited for our family to get us in order to head back. Mine was nowhere to be found. So I set off with a few other people. Eventually she found me. Good thing as I would have just wandered around for a while in the dark. We headed back to the house for dinner, which included quinoa soup, rice, and a pasta dish. Oh and of course coco tea. Have to make sure we still don't get altitude sickness. We had gotten pretty chilly on the hike back, and of course no electricity, means no heat. The food helped warmed us up.
After dinner, we dressed in traditional garb and went dancing. Locals provided the traditional clothing for both the women and men, and I was happy to put more clothes on. We didn't stay out too long, but we danced around a bit with a local band playing music. It was fun, but I was getting tired. I was happy to experience a local dance. But also happy to head to bed.
The following morning, after an early breakfast, we headed to the neighboring island, Taquile Island. Even though you could see it, it still took some time to get there. After about an hour, we arrived. It was a beautiful day, and we headed up some more hills to reach this plaza for the views. And this sign. New York was 6702 kilometers away.
After checking out the views and a local photography exhibit, we continued on our way. We came across the cutest little girl. She didn't really know any Spanish since she was Quechua. But she was happy to have photos taken with us. More importantly though, she wanted to see the photo on our smart phones. What a different life we have. I know there were no smart phones around when I was her age, and I grew up in the country with very limited interaction and technology. But it's still amazing how people choose to live a certain kind of life. I guess if you don't know, you don't miss it. I can see the appeal, but not sure how long I would realistically last. Maybe 2 weeks. Maybe less.
We arrived at our lunch spot, got a lesson on how wool is clean with natural soap from plants, a dance and music segment, and then another delicious local meal. I was definitely impressed with the soap. I want to try to use more natural products. It's something I've been thinking about. I'm feel like I'm stuck on certain brands, but I'm going to make more of an effort moving forward.
We walked to where the boat was docked, and headed back to the mainland. I spent the boat ride napping, and talking to Abby from New Mexico and Beatrix from Portugal. I always love meeting people from back home since not enough Americans travel abroad. And of course love meeting people from other countries and getting to know them. It's nice to see how we are different, yet similar. Same same, but different.
It was such a quick visit to Lake Titicaca, but I'm so glad I went. The two days were a little bit of whirlwind, but I got to see some amazing things and meet some amazing people. Eva, Beatrix, Beatrix's dad, and I headed to the bus station as we were all on our way to Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city about 5 hours away.
The overnight bus wasn't as smooth as I hoped. The roads weren't great and I was reminded of the overnight bus I took in India. There was barely any sleep given the constant bumps. We made it to Puno around 5am. Since I had booked a tour, someone was waiting for me. Which I was grateful for. They took me to a hostel until it was time to get picked up for the boat ride. I was able to snag a nap. And a shower. Good thing as there wasn't a shower in my near future. I also noticed during my nap that I had to catch my breath every so often. I wasn't sure what altitude we were at, but I suspected I didn't get much lower than Cusco. Well it turns out that I actually went higher. I was now at to 3800 meters, where Cusco was at 3399 meters. I was at one of the highest navigable lakes in the world.
I got picked up and of course it was raining. I was second guessing my decision. All I wanted to do was be on a boat in the pouring rain for 2 days. The little of what I saw in Puno didn't help with decision. Luckily it stopped while we waited for the boat to get loaded. We were on our way around 8am and made the slow ride to the Uros Islands.
The rain had stopped, but it remained cloudy as we got off the boat to explore the straw islands. They were man-made islands. So cool. But not sure if I could live on them. We got a tutorial on how they create sod blocks and then layer them with straw. Then they proceeded to build the huts that they lived in. There's even a school on one of the islands. So interesting that people live this way, and so close to the mainland. Apparently mostly children and older adults still live there. Once kids are old enough, they head to the mainland for various reasons.
 |
| Floating Uros Islands. |
We continued on our way and had a very long boat ride to Amantani Island. Good thing the weather turned for the better. I headed up top to enjoy the ride and the views for the 3 hour boat ride. I met another American girl, one from Portugal, and another from Hungary. We would hang out over the next couple of days and longer.
 |
| On a boat. |
We arrived on Amantani Island and the group split into smaller groups, and we were escorted to local family homes. We followed our host up the hill and through winding sidewalks and fields until we arrived at her house. There's no way I could find her house again. There were many houses that were similar looking, and I couldn't keep track of what sidewalks and fields we walked through. We were welcomed into her home, where her father and baby lived. We weren't sure what happened with the father of her baby. But he wasn't in the picture. I'm sure there's a good reason he's not there.
We were all starving after such an early start and the long boat ride. Fortunately there was food ready for us to consume. And of course lots of potatoes. I like potatoes, but they aren't my favorite. But I ate as much as I could since I was so hungry.
 |
| Starving for more potatoes. |
We paired up and settled into our home for the night. I was rooming with Eva, from Hungary. After a little bit of a rest, we were escorted to the meeting spot where we would start our hike to the top of the island. It was starting to get dark, and I think they had hopes we'd see a nice sunset. We didn't. Even with the sun being blocked by clouds, it was still a spectacular view.
 |
| Top of Amantani Island. |
There was a tradition of walking around the Pachamama temple 3 times and putting a rock somewhere nearby it. I believe this was an offering to Mother Earth, but can't quite remember. After the hike, we headed down and waited for our family to get us in order to head back. Mine was nowhere to be found. So I set off with a few other people. Eventually she found me. Good thing as I would have just wandered around for a while in the dark. We headed back to the house for dinner, which included quinoa soup, rice, and a pasta dish. Oh and of course coco tea. Have to make sure we still don't get altitude sickness. We had gotten pretty chilly on the hike back, and of course no electricity, means no heat. The food helped warmed us up.
 |
| Host family and new friends. |
After dinner, we dressed in traditional garb and went dancing. Locals provided the traditional clothing for both the women and men, and I was happy to put more clothes on. We didn't stay out too long, but we danced around a bit with a local band playing music. It was fun, but I was getting tired. I was happy to experience a local dance. But also happy to head to bed.
 |
| Traditional outfits. |
The following morning, after an early breakfast, we headed to the neighboring island, Taquile Island. Even though you could see it, it still took some time to get there. After about an hour, we arrived. It was a beautiful day, and we headed up some more hills to reach this plaza for the views. And this sign. New York was 6702 kilometers away.
 |
| New York is far away. |
After checking out the views and a local photography exhibit, we continued on our way. We came across the cutest little girl. She didn't really know any Spanish since she was Quechua. But she was happy to have photos taken with us. More importantly though, she wanted to see the photo on our smart phones. What a different life we have. I know there were no smart phones around when I was her age, and I grew up in the country with very limited interaction and technology. But it's still amazing how people choose to live a certain kind of life. I guess if you don't know, you don't miss it. I can see the appeal, but not sure how long I would realistically last. Maybe 2 weeks. Maybe less.
 |
| Adorable Quechua girl. |
We arrived at our lunch spot, got a lesson on how wool is clean with natural soap from plants, a dance and music segment, and then another delicious local meal. I was definitely impressed with the soap. I want to try to use more natural products. It's something I've been thinking about. I'm feel like I'm stuck on certain brands, but I'm going to make more of an effort moving forward.
 |
| Local music. |
We walked to where the boat was docked, and headed back to the mainland. I spent the boat ride napping, and talking to Abby from New Mexico and Beatrix from Portugal. I always love meeting people from back home since not enough Americans travel abroad. And of course love meeting people from other countries and getting to know them. It's nice to see how we are different, yet similar. Same same, but different.
 |
| Leaving Taquile Island. |
It was such a quick visit to Lake Titicaca, but I'm so glad I went. The two days were a little bit of whirlwind, but I got to see some amazing things and meet some amazing people. Eva, Beatrix, Beatrix's dad, and I headed to the bus station as we were all on our way to Arequipa, a beautiful colonial city about 5 hours away.
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