Isla Amantani
When we reached the island I am assigned to a woman named Flora. Every activity in Peru is either started or ended by a hike, sometimes both, reaching Flora's house was no different. She took off, straight up the mountain. Lake Titicaca is 3800m above sea level so the altitude is still a factor in any strenuous exercise. Luckily I think I´m is finally getting used to the height. When we get to her house she shows me to my room. I assume this room at one time must have been for children. The door way is only about 3 1/2 ft tall. I have to bend at the waist to enter. The ceilings are about 5 feet high and I stick about 18 inches off the edge the bed.
Flora speaks no English, and my Spanish has not improved in the least. She is very accommodating and feeds me very well. No one in Peru seems to have much money, but food is plentiful and very cheap. There is not much meat but you can eat your weight in grains and potatoes. The have 300 types of potatoes and I get about 6 different types every time I eat.
One interesting note, Potatoes are so important in Peru that there is a cabinet level position in the government called the Minister of Potatoes. A Belgian man on the tour is actually in Peru doing graduate work in the Potato Ministry.
During the tour we do several different hike to the peaks of the island. The island rises to about 4300m.
On the last night all host families dress us in traditional Peruvian clothing, and take us to a party in the local recreation center. I honestly think Flora cut a hole in rug to make the poncho she gave me. The thing is absolutely huge. Since I'm approximately 2 feet taller than anyone around me, there is no way this poncho could fit a Peruvian. The band at the party is fun, but I think they only know one song. The song is about five minutes, and between each rendition they take two or three minutes to re-tune their instruments. After the party our guides lead us back down the mountain, to the various houses. There are no lights on the island and the locals don´t seem to need flashlights. I almost kill myself several times trying to keep up in the dark.
When we reached the island I am assigned to a woman named Flora. Every activity in Peru is either started or ended by a hike, sometimes both, reaching Flora's house was no different. She took off, straight up the mountain. Lake Titicaca is 3800m above sea level so the altitude is still a factor in any strenuous exercise. Luckily I think I´m is finally getting used to the height. When we get to her house she shows me to my room. I assume this room at one time must have been for children. The door way is only about 3 1/2 ft tall. I have to bend at the waist to enter. The ceilings are about 5 feet high and I stick about 18 inches off the edge the bed.
Flora speaks no English, and my Spanish has not improved in the least. She is very accommodating and feeds me very well. No one in Peru seems to have much money, but food is plentiful and very cheap. There is not much meat but you can eat your weight in grains and potatoes. The have 300 types of potatoes and I get about 6 different types every time I eat.
One interesting note, Potatoes are so important in Peru that there is a cabinet level position in the government called the Minister of Potatoes. A Belgian man on the tour is actually in Peru doing graduate work in the Potato Ministry.
During the tour we do several different hike to the peaks of the island. The island rises to about 4300m.
On the last night all host families dress us in traditional Peruvian clothing, and take us to a party in the local recreation center. I honestly think Flora cut a hole in rug to make the poncho she gave me. The thing is absolutely huge. Since I'm approximately 2 feet taller than anyone around me, there is no way this poncho could fit a Peruvian. The band at the party is fun, but I think they only know one song. The song is about five minutes, and between each rendition they take two or three minutes to re-tune their instruments. After the party our guides lead us back down the mountain, to the various houses. There are no lights on the island and the locals don´t seem to need flashlights. I almost kill myself several times trying to keep up in the dark.
posted by Terrell at 5:57 AM
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