Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Fotos!
I´ve finally posted more photos...sorry for the long delay folks. There on flickr.com, check them out!
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the world standing at 12,500 feet above sea level. On the lake are many islands where different groups of people have lived for hundreds of years. One of the most famous groups are the Uros people who live on floating islands constructed out of totoras or reeds that grow in the lake. Basically these reeds form floating chunks of dirt that they then plant their roots into. On top of these the Uros people lay down many layers of cut reeds constantly putting down new layers as the old ones are always rotting away. Walking on the ground provides a squishy and bouncy feeling under your feet. Not only is the ground they walk on made from these reeds, but so are their houses, boats, and tourist souvenirs. They also eat them. There are about 2,500 people who inhabit these floating islands and they have a school, medical center, and church. The Uros began living on the lake a few hundred years ago in defiance of the Inca rule and have been there ever since. They even grow potatoes and the like among the reeds. Talk about a different way of life, it was unbelievble to observe this other world so removed from the one I live in and even from what I have observed these last few months in the rest of South America.
I also got to visit the island of Taquile, which is a bit farther out into the lake. There are about 2,000 people in the community there and it´s a gorgeous island with a winding stone path that weaves in around the hilly tops of the island. All the men who live on the island wear these beautiful hand knitted hats that are brilliantly colorful and looks a bit like goofy night caps. Married men and single men are distinguished by the patterns on the hat and only married men wear the colorful purses around their waists that are filled with coca leaves and given to friends as a way of greeting.
I´ve been in Peru for a little over a week now and am in awe. It was like night and day crossing the border from Chile as it is obvious how much more developed Chile is than Peru. The poverty you see on the streets is very obvious and heartwrenching and many buildings have been damaged by devastating earthquakes the last few years. More then half the population lives under the poverty line and there isn´t really much of a welfare safety net to catch any of the people who need assistance. That being said, Peru is a gorgeous country rich in colorful crafts, delicious food, lush canyons, and an amazingly kind people.
I also got to visit the island of Taquile, which is a bit farther out into the lake. There are about 2,000 people in the community there and it´s a gorgeous island with a winding stone path that weaves in around the hilly tops of the island. All the men who live on the island wear these beautiful hand knitted hats that are brilliantly colorful and looks a bit like goofy night caps. Married men and single men are distinguished by the patterns on the hat and only married men wear the colorful purses around their waists that are filled with coca leaves and given to friends as a way of greeting.
I´ve been in Peru for a little over a week now and am in awe. It was like night and day crossing the border from Chile as it is obvious how much more developed Chile is than Peru. The poverty you see on the streets is very obvious and heartwrenching and many buildings have been damaged by devastating earthquakes the last few years. More then half the population lives under the poverty line and there isn´t really much of a welfare safety net to catch any of the people who need assistance. That being said, Peru is a gorgeous country rich in colorful crafts, delicious food, lush canyons, and an amazingly kind people.
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