Lake Titicaca, which actually stands for grey puma in Quechua, rather than boob poop, is the highest navigable lake in the world (it stands at 12,500 feet above sea level). And the blue skies, glistening blue waters, and vistas of snow-capped mountains on the Peru-Bolivian border, are something that just cannot be captured on camera. But, boy did I try.
After about 2 -3 hours on the boat, we reached the Uros Islands, a group of over 40 man-made islands that date back to before the Incan civilization (to the Uros) and have had inhabitants since then. These islands are made of reeds...REEDS, and only reeds. They get a fresh coat of reeds every few months to replenish those that have withered away or been swallowed by the lake. As we stepped off the boat on to the island, the concept of a floating island quickly became apparent. The island was pretty sturdy in most parts but as you move to the edges or to certain parts you feel the floor beneath your feet give way to a spongy gush of water. The realization that people permanently live on these islands, which hover over a lake, hit me as sharply as the cold water at my feet did at that moment.
There are huts on the island built in the old style (pointy roof) and those with a modern touch (more of a flat roof). But almost all of the individual huts, which consist of different people’s homes, have solar panels that power the TVs and lights inside these huts. This is true sustainable living I suppose! The people on their island make their living by selling handicrafts they spend their day making, or by selling fish and reed boats. Standing on the island for an hour, which has no cover from the beating afternoon sun, I felt compelled to buy a hand-woven cloth from the woman that showed me her home.
No comments:
Post a Comment