Puno and Lake Titicaca

It was raining when we arrived and dark. I know we thought we knew where the hotel was and yes it did have the same name.It was so kind of Nada to take us back through the rain to the right hotel … same name plus a bit. Definitely bed time.

People of the floating islands have their own language, culture and community. This includes a church, preschool and school. They live a simple life using resources provided by the environment: fish, birds and bird eggs. Their islands must be continuously maintained. Tourism is an important part of their economy.

Maria lives with 19 other people on the island of Santa Maria. There are 10 children . She grew up on another island. I love the way she explained her life to us and invited us into her house.

Inside her home , there were 3 beds . She has a four year old daughter who was at preschool. Apart from beds were just the families clothes and Maria’s craft materials.

The islands float on squares of a peat type material that is cut from the lake reed beds. These are anchored by wooden stakes drive down into the lake and the peat tied to them.

The men of the community cut reeds everyday for the women to add layers to the peat.

Don’t you think the women must be busy? They have to add new reeds to the island daily, look after the children, make items for and entertain the tourists and cook meals. They seem content though.

In the past families lived as a unit with a small sleeping hut on a reed boat. The islands have only been built in the last 70 years.

Did you dress up ? Many of the tourists did showing the different styles.

When you marry in this community, first you go to the Cathedral for the ceremony. When you return you row out to the middle of the lake in a reed boat. All the members of your community will sail around you in their boats and sing and dance.

Sights from the lake.

Goodbye Maria, thank you. We are off on a reed boat to the island of Uros.

This is the “big” island and has a restaurant and coffee shop.

Of course there is souvenirs but you know they are genuine

Back to Puno.

This ship was the only transport across the lake to Bolivia ,and was commissioned by the Peruvian Navy in 1860. It was built in Britain, dismantled and transported from the coast to the Lake. It took 6 years to carry it across the land using donkeys and llamas.

We decided that Puno must be a vary literate community. Look at all the books sellers.

Oh dear the celebration for Saint Cecilia and the dance festival will be rained on, such a shame.

I think we should go to the hotel do a little while and then go to the main square. Do you agree?

It’s pouring. Coffee time and maybe lunch? So you agree?

Streets paving decorations on the road.

Most of the historical sites or places of interest are outside Puno so sorry, but that’s your lot. Tomorrow you are up early. No groaning, please. We are taking the bus back to Cusco and you will see some of those places . Night.