October 1, 2009

Can I just say that it is hard to believe that it is October already? Today was an awesome day. We got up at 5:30 and Chad and I enjoyed the breakfast buffet. Chuck was not feeling all that well today, altitude sickness...such a weird thing one trip you can be fine and the next time you can be miserable. After breakfast we caught our taxi and headed to the boat launch. We had about a 30 minute boat ride to the the first stop on Isla Flotante Uros Suchi Chuyma. These are floating islands that indigenous people live on. Our tour guide Miguel (a different Miguel than we had in Lima) spoke Spanish and also the language they speak. On the island our tour guide explained how the islands were built and the culture. These pre-Incan people are quite amazing. They are always busy. They give tours in the morning, harvest reeds or fish in the afternoon. Some of the men even have jobs in the mainland of Puno. One interesting fact was that an elected official noticed many islands catching fire back in the 1980's because of the use of candles for light. So he provided several solar panels to the people to allow them to have lights. The funny part was they also have TV's and radios that are run via the solar power. Being on the island felt akin to walking on a firm waterbed. After that we broke up into groups and were able to tour a house. Sabina took us into her house, a one room reed house, and dressed in the clothing they wear. We posed from some photos and then headed out for a tour of the reed area of the lake in a reed boat. The boat was surprisingly stable!

After the tour we got back on our motor boat and headed across the lake to a natural island called Taquile. This island has a population of about 5,000. We hiked part way up the hill where Miguel talked to us about the inhabitants history and their culture, which was fascinating. One thing I have noticed in my two short days here in Peru is that is that Mother Earth is very important. The Taquilenos are known for is the woven textiles. They do amazing weaving - both the men and the women. From their you had the option to hike up and then down the other side of the island or head back to the boat which would bring you around to the other side of the island. I opted for the boat since I was not sure my foot was up for the unstable ground yet. The elevation makes it throb more than normal. Chuck and Chad did the hike and said it was nice.

We then boarded the boat and headed back to Puno which is about a 3 hour ride. We got back just as a thunderstorm rolled in. It was a nice thunderstorm complete with awesome lighting. We relaxed a little and headed down to dinner.

Hopefully by tomorrow Chuck will be feeling better. All that I have noticed so far is that I get winded easy but don't have any headaches or upset stomach. I have been drinking the mate de coco tea which I am guessing must be helping me. Chad has had some tea but has adjusted much better he has in prior trips. Tomorrow we take a 10 hour train ride to Cusco. The train runs at above 11,000 feet and the views are supposed to be gorgeous. I am looking forward to it!