Uros Floating Islands

     In only two short weeks, our  experience left us with a remarkable appreciation of how vastly rich and varied Peru is in landscape, history, climate and culture- from the muddy, hot trails through the Rainforest of the Tambopata Reserve, to the markets, artisans and restaurants along the steep and narrow streets of historic Cusco to the cloud forest and Inca Trail, across the Altiplano to Raqchi and the ruins of the temple of Wiracocha, and then La Raya with its views of the snow-capped Andies, and finally to Puno and Lake Titicaca, and the Uros floating Islands and a home stay on Amantani Island.

 This island is completely man-made with reeds. As are the houses and boats.

 This holiday was a profound learning experience.  But alas, Al is only human and provided great entertainment as he snored.

 The long ten hour bus ride from Cusco to Puno gave all of us a chance to doze, catch up with our travel notes and reminisce about our latest experiences including my moment of fame entertaining the group when the women of the floating island chose me to model their traditional dress.

Okay, enough with the humor!  Now on a more serious note ... education.  Particularly in these troubled times the urgency of broadening ones perspective in order to at least appreciate, if not understand the "other" cannot be overstated.  Sadly, thought and cultural sensitivity does not abound.  This could not have been more clear than in that moment  in a market at Raqchi when a woman from the U.S. picked up a hand crafted plate and asked the seller "is this microwaveable?".........

       I am no historian nor do I think I am well informed about the history of Peru, however,I intend to keep learning.  Earlier today, a friend of ours and follower of this blog sent the following link about the discovery of Machu Pichu.  (Thank-you Qurie)  It is well worth a read.

     http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo rld/americas/so-was-the-lost-city-of-machu-picchu-ever-lost-1058004.html