Living with the locals

Another day, another set of adventures…. Today was a visit to the floating islands in lake titicaca and I was delighted that my fellow Bamba experience gal, Zoe, was joining me. After a leisurely boat trip we caught our first glimpse of the floating islands.

We were visiting Uros floating island inhabited by Aymara speaking families. It was a small Island comprising of 10 families and a population of 40.

I can’t recall how many of these islands there are on lake titicaca, lots I think, but apparently in times of war many families took to the lake to escape the Inca’s and Quecha speaking folk. We were greeted by a local gentleman who explained how they made the islands from Totora reeds. Are you ready for your history lesson 😉 to make the base, they first cut the roots of the Totora reeds. This island used four blocks which were then secured together. On top, they used multiple layers of different parts of the reeds and then the houses were built on top. To secure the islands, they anchored them into the lake; yep, as easy as this…

The islanders are quite self sufficient, able to hunt and fish – check out the size of his gun!

However, for some items they need to head to mainland, ie; rice, pasta and the like. Today, it seems their income is somewhat supplemented by the handicraft of the ladies on the islands.

I had read that many people felt trips like this are a bit staged and at points it felt like that, especially after our construction demonstration a local women picked off groups of us to show us inside her home and meet her children and take photographs – we played the game.

Next, we were shown their handiwork, as a not so closet crafter I was might impressed.

To spend what equated to £18 on a large tapestry that they must have taken weeks to create seemed like no great shake to me – my only worry is where am I go to put it in my house! We were then offered a ‘once in a lifetime’ ride on one of their boats.

Check out the Bamba gals enjoying the experience! Again, for £2.50 it was hardly exploitative and it was our choice to take part. I think there was probably about 20 of us in our group, if we averaged it out that most people spent about a £5 a £10 each then that’s a lot of rice and pasta for the families. We got to see their unique way of living and they got some well needed cash – result! Plus, they sent us off on our merry way with a song 🙂

Oh, I forgot to mention I also got some fab pix; priceless!

Ok, now I have the bee out of my bonnet regarding whether this trip is a good or bad thing, I can continue with my wee adventure.

Amantani island was where we were staying with our local family. We were greeted at the dock and paired up the local ladies who were going to cook and entertain us for the next day. This was our surrogate mum.

There is no disputing the beauty of Amantani island, but as I arrived on the island the beauty was somewhat lost by the size of the hill we had to climb to reach our home. You know me, across the last two months I have quite happily huffed and puffed up to see Christ in Rio, braved the artic conditions of Bolivia and tasted a guinea pig, but this hill was a monster and there was a reason why most people on the trip did not bring their rucksack with them!!!! Whoops, only one thing for it, rucksack number one on back and daypack and handbag safely deposited with Zoe. I am not going to wax lyric about the ordeal, but all I’d like to say is a huge big thanks to Zoe who more than shared my pain and helped us get up the never ending hill; cheers me dear!

Breath back, we were met by some little scamps who had a penchant for taking photographs…

Playtime over, we were lunched at the kids looked on.

By this time the rucksack debacle had long been forgotten and we headed out across the island to visit the temple of the Pachamama and Pachatata at sunrise; such a delightful place.

I forgot to mention, after lunch we got onto the subject of work. You may wonder how we managed this given our lack of Spanish and their lack of English. Regardless, we were shown Mama’s handiwork and of course I had to by a hat! Now don’t laugh.

After dinner, and a few beers shared with our mama, her mama, her sister and the papa, we got dressed and headed out for some proper dancing.

After all that bopping we were shattered, an early night was on the cards.

The next morning after bidding our family goodbye we disembarked down the hill, boarded and headed to Taquille, an island bursting with amazing handicrafts, oh and it was rather pretty too.

We visited the local artisan market, a lot of the handicrafts were man made and they were the most beautiful handcrafted loveliness I had seen across my whole travels in south America.

We ended our visit at a local restaurant, views over lake titicaca and fish and chips; perfect end to fab couple of days x

Country number six – Peru!

Just over two months and six countries, that’s a whistle stop tour of south America if ever I have seen one. As much as I loved Boliva, indeed my favourite country so far, I was really excited to sample some Peruvian delights. We did not have to wait long! Viv and Dave and Zoe were also crossing the border with me, friends at border control is an advantage as sometimes the wait can be somewhat monotonous. Alas not, in, out, stamp, pix, back on the bus. It was indeed a border control delight.

BTW Dave and Viv were responsible for our look of glee!!?! I was pleased to be greeted by the souped up cabs. But no cabs for us, back on the bus, Puno bound.

We had plans to all meet for dinner, but you know put four British folks together who speak the same language and things were gonna go pear shaped! How were we to know there were two plazas and that the folks from puno were celebrating carnival? what a treat. I met Dave and Viv and we were accosted by song and dance, quite unexpectedly. It truly was quite amazing…

I forgot to mention, they have a penchant for spraying ‘everyone’ with shaving foam! Obviously Dave being of large stature was an A1 target..,

Saying that, Viv and I did not get away scott free; or should that be ‘Irish free’?

I think Viv is rocking the pink lady look! In 40 years time I can see a pink rinse coming on 😉

We escaped the madness and i devoured my first, although by no means last, Pisco Sour.

Dave on the other hand also had a first, his first guinea pig…

If you think that looked unappetising check out its gnashers!

Viv and I were quite pleased as at least we could try a ‘tiny’ bit. My morsel tasted duck like with a pork crackling skin, although I was pleased I did not have to eat it all. Go Dave!