Floating on Lake Titicaca

The Uros islands at 3810 meters above sea level are just five kilometers west from Puno port floating serenely in the pure water of Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian side.

The ''Islas Flotantes" are made from Totora Reeds that are dried in the sun and then used to construct the Islands, boats, houses, gifts, watchtowers and probably a multitude of other less obvious things.  The reeds at the bottoms of the islands rot away fairly quickly, so new reeds are consistently added to the top layers.

The purpose of the island settlements was originally defensive. If a threat arose they could simply be moved.  The larger islands house about ten families, while smaller ones (that are only about thirty meters wide) house only two or three.  They anchor each island down from the corners so they don't wake up the next day in Bolivia!  

It is a very strange feeling stepping off the boat and feeling the earth move, literally, beneath your feet!    The islanders depend on the tourist trade and offer various crafts for sale.  In order to have some privacy for romance they take one of the reed boats out where the Tortora grow so they can get 'lost' in the vegetation.  So much for spontaneity...

There is a very pure energy about Lake Titicaca.  I remember the first time I visited when I was ten years old from the Bolivia side; the excitement of a hydrofoil skimming along the surface and peering deep down into the crystal water to see hundreds of feet below!  The Peruvian side is not as pristine, nor does it thrill with a hydrofoil, but the floating islands are an exceptional experience.

Having visited the islands before, we were less interested in the touristic aspect than simply laying flat out on the cushioning reeds to absorb all the lovely and intense lake energy.  Roberto, our knowledgeable shaman explained that Lake Titicaca is the point of all creation.  He was assisting us with "birthing" our new ideas, feelings, and the slew of realisations spiralling up through each of us. 

Somewhat anti-socially, we laid splayed out in the sun in deep conversation about the kundalini energy  we could feel vibrating up through us.  This led to some rather open discussions about sexuality and union of the highest form.   It is always fascinating to see what each place we visit stirs up, but there is usually a group consciousness that weaves throughout creating a theme for the day.  Much hilarity was had in our floating love-fest talks.

In Program Two we take our passengers to both sides of Lake Titicaca so we can experience the renown Sun and Moon Islands on the Bolivian side.  I have a freeze frame vision of my very tall father standing like a pole in the middle of a throng of Indian women while another sat on the sidelines with me, teaching me how to spin wool on a wooden drop spindle like they still use today.  

This photo was taken from the watch tower also constructed by reeds, from the island we visited.  Who knows what magic will emerge on our next trip to Lake Titicaca, but we can't wait to find out!