April 11, 2013

• On the Shores of Lake Titicaca

  After a fun filled weekend of wine, flight, and sandboarding, we began our tour proper, meeting the remaining 2 members of our group as well as the rest of the tour and set off for our first destination, Puno

  

  At 3800m above sea level, it was an introduction to high altitude living and our first real glimpse of peruvian culture

  

  

  

  The hats the women are wearing are actually modifications on the english bowler hat.  Bowler hats have been worn by Quechua and Aymara women in Peru and Bolivia since the 1920s when a shipment of bowler hats was reportedly sent from Europe to Bolivia via Peru for use by Europeans working on the construction of the railroads. The hats were found to be too small and were distributed to locals who have since put their own spin on them

  

  Admittedly, the style is not for everyone

  

  

  The local supermarket

  

  

  

  

  We wandered about the city, taking in a multitude of sights along the way, but mostly becoming adjusted to the altitude

  

  

  

  

  

  

  After getting a feel for the surrounding culture, we started really exploring

  

  The Incas, much like the egyptians and the celts also practiced mummification, although due to a lack of written records we dont know how or why. However, all the mummies whether noble, common, or sacrifices, have been found with knees drawn up in the fetal position.

  

  Then we decided to sample some local delicacies, like this quinoa mousse cake.

  

  Next up was some alpaca steak covered in fried quinoa and alpaca skin and sauca berries

  

  A side order of yucca, or what we took to calling “jenga fries”

  

  And finally the piece de resistance, Cuy!

  

  Or as its better known in english, guinea pig.

  

  Quite the mouthful!

  

  Ending the night by watching some traditional peruvian dances from around the country

  

  

  

  We also saw a band with a humongous pan flute

  

  But as they say, size isnt everything, it’s how you use it =P

   

  • 2:22 pm
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