02/10/13 Day off in Puno

2013-10-02 Click date for more photo's

02/10/2013 Day off in Puno

Puno is mostly famous for it's position on Lake Titicaca and it's floating settlements. There was yet another day of Paro or strike but this time it was the miners  and despite a strong police presence the transport people were working normally at least .
The Quechua people have made their homes on islands made of reed which take them a year to construct and which more or less float on the lake. Four or five families share an island. They catch fish, shoot ducks, collect eggs and peel the reeds to eat the inside. Some of the islands choose to remain isolated but others welcome the tourists with open arms. Everything is laid on thick for the tourists , the clothing, the songs, etc. but it does give you a glimpse of how life is on these islands. The guide explained that children row themselves to school on the mainland each morning which takes about an hour and in the rainy season doesn't sound like a lot of fun. It was interesting to see the solar panel on the roof of some of the reed houses which would power the TV. An interesting morning followed by a Cusquena (the local beer) and a great lunch back in Puno.