Lake Titicaca and the Islands
I took a boat trip on Lake Titicaca today to visit some of the islands. First went to the floating islands, which are islands that the Uro people have built from reeds. They build the islands, and their houses and buildings, all out of reeds from the lake. Originally they did this to escape a couple of other violent groups before Inca times. Now there are around 45 floating islands with around 8 islands that are open for tourists to visit. The ones that are open to tourists are often criticized for being terribly commercial and ``touristy``, but I figure if they are willing to let strangers stomp all over their homes, stare at them, and take millions of pictures of their children, they have a right to sell their trinkets etc. This way we get to see a culture and way of life that exists only here, in all the world. No one criticizes Heritage Park or Upper Canada Village, but in a way it`s a similar idea. It exists so that we can learn about a way of life and culture. The other 30-some islands exist in their natural state, and the residents don`t like to be photographed etc.
Anyways, next we went to Taquile Island. This was very interesting, as the traditional way of life and customs are surviving quite strongly here, and the culture is quite distinct from other Peruvian cultures. The whole island is terraced for agriculture. There are both wood and mud brick homes, with a small square in the centre of the island which houses a simple but rustically beautiful wooden church, a few tourist restaurants, and a town hall. The tourism portion of the island is run as a co-operative, with annually elected leaders (usually elders) managing the number of tour groups that are allowed access to the island, and determining which restaurant each group will eat at in order to distribute the tourism dollar equally among families. The families also practice subsistance agriculture, and some own boats that run between Puno and the island.
Most people still dress in traditional clothing which has great social significance. All men wear a knitted hat that is so finely knitted that it looks woven. The shape is almost like a night cap, but they are quite dashing. :-) They use five tiny knitting needles, and every man knits his own hat. If you are not a good knitter by the time you are 16, good luck finding a wife. Married men wear a hat that is all red, with various designs, and their wives weave them elaborate waist sashes. Single men wear a hat that is half white and half red. Leaders of the community also wear a black hat with a brim (reminds me a bit of Humphrey Bogart`s hat in Casablanca). Women wear full skirts to the knee with puffy crinolins underneath, and a black scarf or shawl. Married women wear a black skirt, and single women wear bright pink, red or green skirts, with giant brightly colored pom poms on their black scarves. Around 2000 people live on the island.
The views over Lake Titicaca were beautiful - it´s a strangely beautiful lake - the feeling it gave me reminded me of the feeling I had in Labrador - the landscape is a bit barren, but very beautiful and ... what´s the right word... kind of powerful.
Anyways, tomorrow I`m off to Arequipa where I started my trip in Perú, where I am hoping to mountain bike down the active volcano, El Misti from around 6000 feet. We shall see.
xoxo
Anyways, next we went to Taquile Island. This was very interesting, as the traditional way of life and customs are surviving quite strongly here, and the culture is quite distinct from other Peruvian cultures. The whole island is terraced for agriculture. There are both wood and mud brick homes, with a small square in the centre of the island which houses a simple but rustically beautiful wooden church, a few tourist restaurants, and a town hall. The tourism portion of the island is run as a co-operative, with annually elected leaders (usually elders) managing the number of tour groups that are allowed access to the island, and determining which restaurant each group will eat at in order to distribute the tourism dollar equally among families. The families also practice subsistance agriculture, and some own boats that run between Puno and the island.
Most people still dress in traditional clothing which has great social significance. All men wear a knitted hat that is so finely knitted that it looks woven. The shape is almost like a night cap, but they are quite dashing. :-) They use five tiny knitting needles, and every man knits his own hat. If you are not a good knitter by the time you are 16, good luck finding a wife. Married men wear a hat that is all red, with various designs, and their wives weave them elaborate waist sashes. Single men wear a hat that is half white and half red. Leaders of the community also wear a black hat with a brim (reminds me a bit of Humphrey Bogart`s hat in Casablanca). Women wear full skirts to the knee with puffy crinolins underneath, and a black scarf or shawl. Married women wear a black skirt, and single women wear bright pink, red or green skirts, with giant brightly colored pom poms on their black scarves. Around 2000 people live on the island.
The views over Lake Titicaca were beautiful - it´s a strangely beautiful lake - the feeling it gave me reminded me of the feeling I had in Labrador - the landscape is a bit barren, but very beautiful and ... what´s the right word... kind of powerful.
Anyways, tomorrow I`m off to Arequipa where I started my trip in Perú, where I am hoping to mountain bike down the active volcano, El Misti from around 6000 feet. We shall see.
xoxo
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