Amantani, Lake Titicaca, Peru: My relaxing moments in foster Quechua
After a traumatic night in Pisco, Peru, having been present during the great earthquake that virtually destroyed the city on August 15, I was in need of some rest, peace and tranquility. I found exactly what I was looking for a few days later on the island Amantani, which is in the middle of the lake shimmering turquoise waters Titicaca.I started my journey from the dock in Puno, with a return Two days boat ticket cost me 30 soles (about $ 10 USD). After a quick stop on the floating islands of Uros, we traveled over three hours, until the floating dock Amantani. When we arrived we were greeted by the island residents who organized the newcomers and the host families designated for us. The stay with the foster family, including delicious homemade meals and a nice hike cost 30 soles per person. Amantani each family is only allowed to receive visitors once a month to maintain their culture and maintain a tourism fair in the hands of the islanders. My husband and I were paired and two French travelers were headed by Juana, a woman in her twenties Quechua pleasant in his house. During the ten minute walk, I discovered that plain looking decks I had seen from offshore were actually complex paths of stone walls and terraces were zig- zag across the island, making it feel as if we were walking through a maze in paradise. When we arrived we met ten year old daughter of Juana Maria, his old grandfather, who is Spanish, was laced with a strong emphasis Quechua, and her grandmother who spoke only Quechua. We were given a comfortable room with a view over the island and the sparkling waters surrounding us. Women began working in the kitchen on fire as they prepared us a delicious lunch. We then had free time to relax, walk, and talk to the family. At 15 o'clock we were led by Juana and Maria, both dressed in traditional skirts with beautifully embroidered black scarves, the winding stone path to the town square. We have grouped with other foreigners and their host families and began the ascent beautiful Pacha Tata, one of the two sacred hills of the island. Once on top we were rewarded with spectacular views over the lake and mountains covered with snow, both from Bolivia and Peru Lake. There is a ceremonial site above Pacha Tata can only be accessed once a year during the traditional festival during which half the population of the island makes a pilgrimage to Pacha Tata and the other half goes to Pacha Mama, the sacred hill of others. We stayed at the top Pacha Tata to see a sunset from another world, then headed down the center. We tasted the meat grilled alpaca and returned to the house of our host-family. Like most families have no electricity Amantani was given to us to our room by candlelight. That night I slept deeply. The next morning, wake to the sounds of birdsong and the lack of honking cars and engines humming, I knew I had found the peace that I had lost earlier in the week during the earthquake, and j 'I was glad I had the opportunity to share that peace with the family I had stayed with Amantani.
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