Lake Titicaca

We left at 7 this morning to visit Uros Islands. This is where the people live as they did centuries ago...on  floating islands. They use totora reeds that grow on the lake. There are about 50 floating islands. About 10 of them are NOT accepting tourist so they cut the reed and have separated from the group and have anchored elsewhere. The island we visited had 8 families with 35 people and 6 children, a cat, a flamingo and a some birds. Delfina, our guide, said the number of islands can change quickly, possibly there can be a fight between families, they just cut off from the island and join another.

The islanders trade with the people in Puna for what they need. They have to get in their boats and row to town.

Or they go by motorboat.

Welome to one of the floating islands in Uro!

They do not have bathrooms on their island. They have to get in a boat and row to a bathroom, off the island. That would be miserable!

We sat down to have a little education class on how they live.

They cut the base that the totora reeds grow out of and anchor them in the lake.

Add the cut reeds on top, build your house of reeds and voila! You have a community!

They have to continue to add reeds on the top because as they rot the "ground" sinks.

The people are wanting tourist's money so they do all they can to show us a good time and then take us to their homemade items. Tim & Alisha are being led to a hut.....Mike and I were also lead to a hut.

Doesn't he look like a local?

Nice hat!

Mike and I were dying laughing. He couldn't get the shirt on and we heard a big rip. He gestured to the lady that he was too big. She made him take off his coat and pulled it over him.

We also bought a few trinkets. Our tour guide said it is expected.

Sort of the price to visit the island. I bought a mobil for our pontoon boat.

Another way you can spend your money on the island is by taking a boat ride. It cost 10 soles per person. 

Now entering Taquile  Islalnd. 580 steps UP! The population is 2,500 people on this small 7 sq km island. The Quechua speaking islanders rarely marry non-Taquile. They have deeply ingrained social customs. 

Wonder how Mike's cousins would like farming this land?

The lake is beautiful here. 

Delfina, our guide, shows us the knitted hat men HAVE to knit before they can get married. The hat HAS to hold water with no leaks. He will have to start over if it does.

The colors of hats and skirts are important. Colors & designs are important. It can tells of their social status....married, single, etc. 

 Men wear belts around their middle with intricate designs made by their wives. They also contain hair in them to make them stronger. This is not a very good pic but we saw two guys carrying up 6-8 cases of beer & soda in one pack (in glass bottles) we were impressed. I think the belt around their middle helps protect their backs.