Friday, September 14
The bus ride from Cusco to Puno was a little over 10 hours. It was not our best decision. We had discussed flying. Passing through many small towns and beautifully groomed fields seeing native population and children and oh so many stray dogs. As in Nepal, I felt sadness at the extreme poverty. These humble people work so hard. Their fields and their livestock well kept, their children and themselves well dressed but their homes and surroundings are awful, trash everywhere with hundreds of dogs rummaging in it, homes half built with tarps for roofs and windows, so many abandoned structures. So much pride in some areas of their lives and seemingly none in other areas. Sanitation does not exist.
Then, just when I thought we had seen it all... our boat tour to the Uros Islands blew me away. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 12,500 feet. Not far off shore, maybe 20 minutes, are these floating reed islands, which are inhabited! The people add more reed roots on top of the 6 meter base and cover them with harvest reeds then build their homes, also of reed. They drive a long pole into the bottom of the lake to anchor their island in place. The island we were taken to had five families on it. They survive on tourism almost 100%. We felt like a captive audience and felt obligated to purchase some of the wife’s handiwork, which was beautiful. Yes, we rode on the banana looking boats. Crazy! Later that afternoon we went to a Saturday evening Mass. The locals were dressed to the hilt. Of course we did not understand a word and had to call Ed’s mother to ask about some of the traditions we observed. Religion is the basis of these families lives. Almost every town has a patron saint which is worshipped fervently.
September 16, Sunday
Took another bus ride, this one into Bolivia going through customs twice, coming out of Peru and then going into Bolivia. It was pretty easy but hot standing in line. Our destination was a small town called, Copacabana. I don’t think Barry Manilow was singing about this place! Even though we have been at 12,500 feet for two days I am quite uncomfortable. Our guide suggested we drink Anise tea (ugh) to aid in digestion. I was hesitant after the cacao experience but am doing it. So today, Ed and our guide, Diego are climbing to the top of the highest point of the town. This is a trail that represents the Passion of Christ with the Stations of the Cross on top. Every year many thousands of believers walk from as far away as La Paz to climb up here. We are seeing some changes in the style of the women’s native dress. Skirts are still very full but many fewer jewels and embellishments. No pushy street vendors here. Tomorrow we travel to La Paz.
Inca ruins at Raqchi. All original (1300’s) except the roofs.
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