A private boat & guide took us to the Uro floating islands in Lake Titicaca. The one we visited floats 10 meters above the lake bottom. The 4 families that live on the reed island were cordial and showed us what their lives are like: From construction of the islands, providing for themselves and their daily life style outside and the inside of their houses. We had a chance to sit on a reed bed and the lady grinned when I said “que romantico”. They are tourist savvy and showed us a very good time - ending with farewell songs to us. Note: If the families fell out with each other, they would simply split the island and float one off. If they grew, they could make the island bigger. Our guide feels that their thousand-year lifestyle will disappear except as a tourist attraction within 30 years.
We then left Hotel Libertador in Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia – on a peninsula in Lake Titicaca. The border crossing was very smooth and took only ½ of an hour for both exiting Peru and entering Bolivia. The view of the lake is more attractive from the Bolivia side. Copacabana is full of Argentine hippies—prices are much lower in Bolivia. My guess is that they are mostly on small “pensions,’ a few selling trinkets, but no one asking for small change.
We are taking another private boat tour tomorrow to the Temple of the Sun, then on to La Paz. The day after, Carol & I will explore Tiwanaku. That will conclude the archaeological part of the entire Americas Adventure.
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