Floating Islands

   That's what I said when I heard it. The floating islands. Well how do they float? Do people actually live there? How did they live? Yes, they do float......and the process of building is very difficult, you start with a base layer which is kinda like floating dirt, it is extreamly thick and heavy. After that you would just start piling reeds onto it, until you have about 2-5 meter of reed. 

   Every 10-15 days they have to lay more and more reeds on the the base, after a while it gets to the point where you can't add anymore reeds and then you have to move so that you don't sink along with the island. Yes, people actually do live there; there are only about 5-6 family's that live on each island, most of their clothes they make, but some they do buy. 

   They make things that tourists like ourselves can buy, like tapestries and small reed boats. Most of the men there make a living by fishing or going to the city to work. They do have clay ovens there so they can cook stuff, but they have to make sure they place the clay ovens on a small flat rock so they it does not burn down the whole island during the dry season. Their houses are no bigger then your own bedroom, and most families have 4-6 members, which makes the tiny little house small and squishy. 

   One of the islands we went to gave stamps for your passport; of course you had to pay, but it was only 1 sole, witch equals about $0.34. We also bought a Coke and Riley bought a small whistle type thing that you can play music on. Oh! I forgot to mention that we are on a boat tour, so we're with 4 other people, a tour guide, and a boat diver. It's very exciting to see they different lifestyles of people around the world. I have to say that Peru reminds me of Rome and China. Rome because of all the tight roads and alleyways. And China because of the trash everywere and the buildings. 

   We then went back onto the boat and headed of to the next island, Amantani, were we would be spending the night at someone's house. We reached the island and hiked up a small hill to meet our mama's; that's what they call your hostesses. Our mama's name is Ensavia, she is very kind and cooks very good food. Once we got to her house we had 15 minutes to rest and get settled, then we were summoned to lunch. 

   For lunch we had a potato soup and cheese and even more potatoes, it was absolutely delicious~!!!! After that we went to a party up on the mountain it was interesting but not something I would want to go to again. We then walked all the way to the top of the mountain to watch the sun set. It was breathtaking, it was cold and rocky but absolutely beautiful. We walked all the way back to the bottom and went to have an hour of rest before dinner.

After a dinner of soup rice and beans and headed to our room to get dressed for yet another party. This time the party was for us, we were dressed up in native clothes, a blouse, a skirt, and a cloth hat. After we danced for about 1 hour, and then went home to sleep. 

I miss you all so much!

Tara