From Arequipa we headed to Puno. K scored the upper deck, front row bus seats so we could take in the sites on this six hour journey. Turns out the route was six hours of remembering how ridiculously fortunate we are. Women stood in the baking sun on the dusty roadsides for endless hours attempting to sell a water or juice to passers by. The streets were dirty, crowded and chaotic. The bus was not sufficiently air conditioned and the upper front seats have the best view but the worst air. Sitting sweating and swatting flies, the smell of strange foods on board and an on bus restroom left us eager to finish the ride from 10 minutes in.
Arriving to Puno we learned quickly that the attraction was really simply the floating islands in Lake Titicaca. Made from reeds and dirt, these islands are man made barges that require resurfacing every 15 days, and watering to avoid instamt full island blazes. People and families live on these islands and exist largely by bartering, fishing, and tourism. Reed boats are extravagant with an exaggerated banana boat feel. It feels incredibly odd to walk and sit on these islands as they feel like suspension bridges or trampolines, and strong winds or boat currents literally shift them. Through basic solar panels a single light bulb exists in the homes, along with the occassional black and white tv, color consuming too much power. Traditional dress is worn on the islands and despite not being costume people we played along for a picture. As modern amenities including motorized boats arrived, children now head to the mainland for school. Puno boasts a 35,000 university complete with a stadium and frequented by Peruvian and Bolivian students most commonly. Plus a local soccer team is active here, of course. All in all the floating islands were an intriguing tourist stop on route to Cusco whete Machu Picchu, the Red Valley, Sacred Valley and the Rainbow Mountain awaited.
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