Lago Titicaca Favorites

Favorite thing: People, people, people.

Fondest memory: I always try to bring a couple things on my trips:

1. Notepads, pencils, and other materials (for libraries, schools, kids in need, etc.)

2. A small polaroid instant camera.

Prior to leaving Taquile, I had our family pose with my brother and Chris for two shots. 1 for me with my regular camera and one for the family with my pocket polaroid. Once finished, I gave the undeveloped picture to the head of the family and with the entire family looking puzzled, he began asking me "Que es esto? " and I kept repeating "espere un minuto, espere un minuto". It was then that I realized, this family had never before seen a polaroid.

Once developed, with the entire family now alight with smiles, he asked me "Senor, uno mas de mi familia, por favor (Mr., one more of my family please)?" I assured him I would take another only this time he would take them all inside to change into their best clothes. This was the cutest thing I'd ever seen in my life. All dressed up and posing with his entire family for a little polaroid shot. He later thanked me over and over again showing me a picture of his family from many years ago and letting me know that this was the last photo taken of his family, prior to the polaroids I had just taken. I emptied the roll before leaving by taking individuals of his kids.

How cool is that?

Favorite thing: Putting together a few totora plants already dry you can build a kind of trunk that can be used to build houses, boats... it is really hard and lasts about 2-3 years, more if it doesn't get in touch with water...

Favorite thing: Being floating islands, the Uros islands have to be tied to the ground of the lake. Otherwise, they'd move with the water currents. Every certain days, the inhabitants untie them and move them to other locations using rowing boats to pull. This is a task in which all the community participates...

Favorite thing: It's a very nice gesture to bring rice and especially citrus fruits for the locals (especially for a family stay) as they are hard to come by for locals and contain many of the nutrients not found in their staple (potato) diet.

Having known now (what I didn't know then) I would have also brought with me some multi-vitamins, skin moisturizer and sunscreen for the kids poor, sun-seared skin.

The sun really burns at this altitude as Illustrated by the young girl pictured here, outside of our family stay home.

They'll love you for it!

Favorite thing: They even make toys out of totora here! I could see this little scenery of huts and boats made of that precious plant.