Cuzco to Puno

We took a full day bus tour leaving Cuzco behind on our way to Lake Titicaca.  We found out when we got there that the first “c” is pronounced “zh”.   It means gray puma in the local language. 

Along the road we saw a cathedral that they touted as the Sistine Chapel of South America.  Apparently, they haven’t been to Rome, but it was still nice.  We saw an Incan ruin that was finally a big enough site to be a city of reasonable size.  Up until now all we have seen are stopovers and religious sites.   The best thing we have seen at any site is this woman who was sitting for pictures.

The bus also stopped at La Raya, the highest point on the trip:  4,338 meters = 14,207 feet.  Of course there were vendors selling their wares at the top.  It was a very dry countryside with a view of some glaciers (eastern Washington with hills!).

We continued into the antiplano (high plains).  Amazingly, people continue to scratch out an existence in that place.  The entire area is about 13,000 feet above sea level and only arable for potatoes. 

We arrived into Puno around 5 and followed a couple from Pennsylvania to their hotel (she’s a ’97 UW grad from Spokane).  The local central market was nearby and we were able to get a bottle of red and fruit to enjoy for dinner.   

Lake Titicaca

We took a morning tour to Uros, the floating islands, where a small population live year around.  Our first stop the guide explained the process of building the islands and replenishing the reeds.  Walking on the islands is like walking on a foot of loose hay.  They are like nothing we have even seen.

We read that it was nice to bring the children fruit as a gift, so we brought some oranges on the tour with us.  They were worth their weight in gold and the kids immediately peeled and enjoyed them.

The islander’s do wonderful craft work on the island.  Though it seems a bit touristy, at this point, we are tourists.  They welcomed us into their community in sharing their lives.

And now, off to Arequipa…