Peru

From Puno... we hopped onto a boat and cruised across the massive expanse of Lago Titicaca... which is shared by Peru and Bolivia!

Arriving first at the floating islands... we got chance to see what life was like for the residents... they literally live in the middle of the lake... effectively on floating reeds....

Making their money from the artesians they can craft... and they appear to be very talented at that!

Here I am wearing some traditional clothing and ... in their house! Imagine... the parents sleep in the bed... the kids take the floor... and this is all their house is! It is a very basic life!!!

Onwards

On from here to the residents of an actual island. An island with no cars, no cashpoints, no dogs (dogs are only required to deter crime... and since there is no crime on the island... dogs are not needed!)

There is a real sense of community in this place... everyone mucks in and helps out!
A local family took us in, and fed us and gave us a bed. The lifestyle is basic... as is the food... essentially they mainly eat what they can grow or can sourse cheaply... so for a couple of days, I lived on potato... potato... potato... and rice! Yuk!

Not sure on that diet how I found the energy... but we took the locals on at football! This was seriously hard since we were at altitude of greater than 4,000 FT... a height I understand that FIFA has banned football from being played at!

After that, a trek higher to see the lovely views and learn about the local customs!

Getting a Date!

The lifestyle here is very different from what most people reading this will be accustomed too... but in a lot of ways, I think these people have it right!

For example... to get a date... you don't have to spend ages chatting a girl up... romancing etc...
Instead, the rules are simple.

See someone you like.
When they walk past you, throw a small stone at their back (obviously softly!)
If they turn around and smile at you.... game on!!!

If your relationship goes well and you get married, the community will build a house for you to live in!

Sweet... I promised you all that I would be back... but... I have a lot of stones to be throwing here... law of averages... if I throw enough stones... I'm gonna get one smile at least!!!???

Mother Earth

On the other hand, some of the customs are odd to me. At a certain point in the year... the community brings lots of food to the peek point of the island, and leaves it as a gift for pachamumma (Spelling is probably way out... but it means Mother Earth) as a way to thank her for the things she provides to them!

Personally, I would thank her by eating it and enjoying it... actually, then again... if it is just spuds... I am with them all the way... give her as many back as possible!!!

Dancing

We were well entertained on the island... we joined the local community centre and danced the night away to traditional music (live band), wearing traditional clothes, doing a traditional dance, with the locals!

Awesome experience!

Next stop... Bolivia ... via the Arse End Of NoWhere... Puno!! Yuk... another overnight stay required in that dump!!!

Stone throwing Beesy Out!