Day 12: 12/7/12
Happy birthday Mam, hope you had a good day!
Went on a day trip to lake titicaca today. At the harbour there were boats and people everywhere, obviously all doing the same kind of trip.
We went to the Uros islands first. They are unbelievable. They are floating islands that the Uros people make themselves. You can actually feel them bobbing in the water when you stand on them. There are reed things that grow in the lake and they use them for everything. They make boats and houses from them. They also eat them an they use them to make the island. The root of the reeds lie in brown mud (not unlike wet turf) that floats on the water. They cut off sections of this, tie then together with rope and cover them with reeds. They add lots of reeds to the area they are going to put the houses so that the people won't get sick with arthritis. There are about 6 families on each island. The one we stopped on was no bigger than out bak yard. There were tiny houses on it and men, women and children. Each island has a president who tells them what needs to be done (the reeds on the island go rotten and need to be repaired). The president of this Island wa Marcus who showed us how they make the islands. The women then set up markets with all the things they make- little boats from the reeds, jewellery, lots of embroidered fabrics of the people and beliefs on the island. They showed us the inside of their houses which I'd say was smaller than our back hall. There was one bed made of reeds that I'd say they all slept on. There were a few items left around hat they were making and a few clothes hanging up. No electricity obviously, no heating or anything like that. They eat coca leaves, the reeds and fish. They trade for some other food and now hat they are getting money for tourism they can buy some other food. Despite that diet, the women were fine busters!! Big bellies on them. The men were leaner. When they need to go to the toilet- no 1 goes straight in the lake. For no2's they go in a dry spot and cover it with ashes. They brought us on one of their boats then made from reeds and took us around the islands. They called the boat the mercedes-benz model becaudr it has two stories and is bigger and more decorated than the ones they ise themselves. There are 60 floating islands on this area. Theres a primary school on One of the islands but for furher schooling they go to puno. Theres also a town council and a judge on one of the islands aswell. The Uros people speak amayra, an ancient language from pre-inca time (incas spoke quecha) but they know enough spanish to get tips and charge us for the boat ride!! The kids hopped on the boat with us and sang a few songs- they were very quick to go around with their hat afterwards! It's a mad way of life really!! But, they seem to be very happy and were all very kind.
Then we got on our normal boat again and sailed for 3hour across the lake. I actually slept a bit. The views were lovely- just water, sun, the coastline and a few islands.
We got off in taquille island. We had a bit of a shock to the system because we had to climb up to the centre of the island. We were told it was 150m high bit we definitely walked further than that as the road was windy. Between the climbing and the high altitude (were over 3800m high), breathing is difficult. It is really affecting both our noses and chests- a lot of coughing and spluttering going on! I'm hoping that it's clearing me out totally. We eventually got to the main square and only had a few minutes until we were off up again, another 30m higher on windy roads. We got to a restaurant where we got fish/omelette, rice and chips. Theres no electricity for cooking or anything! That was nice there as we were looking out over the lake. The island seemed very picturesque but it was hard to appreciate it as the place we were climbing was all uneven stone and we just spent our time looking at the ground. A few locals passed us out carrying big parcels wrapped in blankets on their backs. It would be torturous to be going up and down to the port with stuff everyday. They were well able to do it, but were stopping for breaks and panting a lot aswell!!
The wear colourful clothes and the colours they wear identify whether they are married or single or if they are looking for anyone or not! That would make life a lot simpler in Ireland! They also spend a lot of time knitting and making fabrics- men and women both do it. Also a lot of agricultural work as they grow quinoa, beans and some other stuff! Sounds like an awful tough life- we don't know how good we have it!
After lunch we went down over 500 steep steps to get To the port on the other side of the island to sail back to puno. The island seemed lovely but it would have been nicer to have had more time as all we seemed to do was climb and walk and there's barely time to take a photograph not to mind enjoy the scenery!
Another 3hour trip back. The lake and islands are lovely but still long! One American guy in particular wrecking our heads- real know-it-all, never stopped talking. He was with three other men- there appeared to be two couples. The four definitely lived together though cos they were talking about buying a decoration for one of their rooms (the smoking lounge). Very strange set-up!! There was a real hippy looking woman with them too- don't know how she fitted into the scenario!!
Another American girl on the trip was full of talk aswell! Herself and the guide seemed to hit it off- we were watching them flirting!!
Back in puno, we went for a walk to the main square. The town is chaotic- people everywhere screeching! Cars and mini-bus type vans driving mad! There didn't seem to be many tourists around- we felt way too white to be out!!! Got to the square anyway and Muir decided to take a photo of me. As she was about to take it, a mouse ran right in front of her....... You can imagine our reactions!! We went back to the hostel fairly lively!!