Isla Amantani

Isla Amantani...No electricity, no means of transportation, no America that's for sure. Yesterday we took a 4 hour boat ride to Amantani Island located in the middle of the highest navigable lake in the world...Lake Titicaca. When we got to the island, we hiked up a hill that seemed to take an hour at least...the locals were passing us left and right as we were hyperventilating with each step. Once we made it up the hill, I thought we were at least at the top of some mountain..I was wrong...It was just where we were eating lunch. We ate lunch at one of the local families houses that Raul knows from years past. We had trout straight out of Lake Titicaca.

After lunch, we got divided up into groups of 4 so we could spend some time with our individual families. I am already missing mine. Bex and I were in the same family so that was a plus as well. Our "Mama's" name was Dona Augustina...she liked laughing at us quite often. She spoke little spanish and mostly quechua which in the indigenous language of Peru. We helped her peel potatoes( Mom would be proud, you taught me well) and other vegetables. We also grinded some type of maize with a giant rock. She made it look so easy...It took 3 of us to do what she was doing in twice as much time. Yesterday, we also got to hike up to the highest points on Isla Amantani...Mama tata and Mama Pancha. We could choose to do one or the other...so Bex and I decided to do both. A breathtaking and rewarding experience to say the least. We could see Bolivia from both points. It was awesome. After the hike, we ate dinner with our families and then joined the rest of the group for Lake Titicaca dancing in the traditional outfits they dressed us in... Don't worry, I have pictures :-) I had a ball dancing with all of the little kids. They were better than all of us hands down.

Today we did some work around the house and then played a game of futbol. We didn't last that long since we were at 12,500 feet above sea level but it was a lot of fun.

After saying an emotional good bye to our families we took a 3 hour boat ride to the Uros Islands or the floating island of reed. It was like a dream. What a life. The people were awesome as well...but that's the norm here in Peru.

About to go out to dinner in Puno...the folklore capital of the world. Tomorrow...a 9 hour bus ride to Cuzco...this is where Raul is from and I think we get to meet his family. Looking forward to it. Thank you to all who are reading and enjoying...this is for you. Wish you all were here.

Love always. T