Hola de Puno! *** NEW PHOTOS ADDED JUNE 6***May 26, 2006
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a lady and her sheep
reed island on Lake Titicaca
so you think you're breifcase is heavy....
Hello everyone!
This is my (Soph) first foray into a spanish keyboard so bear with me! We have been up to lots of different stuff since Scotty last wrote. After returning from Quillabamba (pron. Key-a-bumba) we had a day free of any set activities (yay!) in the lovely town of Cuzco. We hit the markets, and a few Inca sights before getting together with some friends at a really cool restaurant called Fallen Angel -- where the tables were big bathtubs filled like a fish tank with a glass layer over top! After Cuzco we headed to Puno and Lake Titicaca at 4200m. Here we travelled by sea kayak to a tiny local island in the middle of the lake called Amnatani Island.Overto Scotty to tell you about that...
the island was just amazing! when we arrived we were welcomed into the community by a host family who took care of us for the night. it was a trully unique experience, the family didn't speak a word of english and our spanish is still pretty shocking (well mine is) so it was a very interesting communicative experience! the family was lovely and welcoming - we sat in their kitchen eating dinner as they cooked potatoes over the stone harth whilst sitting on the dirt floor. after dinner we were escorted to the local community hall for a dance! soph got dressed up in the local garb, including several layers of skirts, blankets, and a beautiful embridered shawl. we danced with the locals until the early hours until we found our way back to the mud brick home to bed down for the night.
this morning we woke early to the smell of fresh pancakes we ate againwith the family before they sent us off again on the boat across the lake. as we crossed the lake we made a stop at an amazing island. floating in the lake made of reeds, the thatched huts swayed in the wind. one of the unique features of Lake Titicaca. These floating islands are an experience to behold, the size of a big garden complete with several houses the islands are mini communities. when we get back to NZ i will poast heap sof pictures that will better tell the story....
the last few days have been a realeye opener, we have experienced some amazing cultural diversity, from the ancient on the islands to the modern, i'll tell you the full story of the political riot when i have a bit more time (don't worry mom we are ok!)
tomorrow we head back to Lima as our adventure is starting to come to an end. one more day in Lima then it's time to get on the big kerosine budgie home...
well we better sign off for now, we have a 5.30am statt tomorrow (yikes!)
hasta luego
Scotty and Soph
