Day 140 of international places giving smiles – Remembering Uros island of reeds and Lake Titicaca Peru

July’13…We look outside our window from our at a resort in Puno at the highest navigable lake in the world- Lake Titicaca. Soon we sit in a regular speedboat and look at the number of reeds that are swaying with the wind on the sides of the lake.

But then our guide informs us that these reeds are very useful for the locals…it is used as food to be consumes, as fibre to make clothes and also as a housing material to provide shelter. But what he told us next almost shocked me to fall out of my seat…He said that these aquatic floating reeds called Totora are actually used by groups of families to create full-fledged artificial islands! Usually a minimum of 6 families stay together on each island. They have to anchor the island otherwise they may wake up next morning finding themselves in a neighbouring country of Bolivia instead of the Peruvian side of the lake.

So there was a lot of excitement as we get off our boat to Uros, stepping on to one of the 65 floating islands made of aquatic plants. We were welcomed by locals dressed in colourful costumes. First we saw a live demonstration model of how this floating island is actually made by the Alamara natives, an amazing feat by these simple people! This was our first gasp of respect to the lifestyle of the 22 members of 6 families who were living in this San Miguel Island

We visited their modest homes to get a feel of the isolated from modernity lives that they have and marvel at the simplicity of everything

These islands have become a major tourist attraction for Peru, drawing many other excursion groups from the lakeside city of Puno. Their original purpose was defensive, and they could be moved if a threat arose. We dressed in the local costumes and got ready to visit another island on a boat made of reads as the friendly inhabitants sang songs for us Many of the islands contain watchtowers largely constructed of reeds. We too climbed on the tall lookout platform to get a better view of the surrounding islands. We also saw lots of other boats also made of reeds

Then it’s off to TaquileIsland, a place in which the settlers still maintain their ancestral traditions and colorful typical clothes. It was a great opportunity to explore the island and get the best view of the lake. We got speaking with Argentine friends in broken spanish and english and sign language. We also managed to have intersting conversations with new Argentina friends over lunch.We could actually see the mountains of Bolivia in the border across the lake Titicaca. On the way back, we also experienced a short session invoking the spiritual energy of the place.

On the return to the port, we first saw the lighthouse at Puno. We notice that most of the houses seem unfinished from behind with the brown bricks still visible..we were told that incomplete houses means lesser tax, so they are purposely left that way!

We had to visit the cathedral at main Puno square and saw a local policewoman for the first time. Back at the resort, I actually took puffs from the oxygen cylinder, a provision available free for hotel guests in case they have difficulty breathing at this high altitude in Puno.

The next day we had a long ride to a small airport called Juliaca, where we were entertained with local singers till we boarded our flight away from this remote corner of the world

So which place made you smile today?

Be grateful for the places that make you smile!