Indigenous Islands and Lake Titicaca

The Uru Reed islands were some of the most unique things to experience on the trip. The islands were made of a long plant that when dried looked like hay. This plan was woven and set on top of a type of root soil that floated on top of the water. The islands themselves due to this special root were floating. Communities of people live on these islands and say they have to rebuild there house every year because of weather conditions. The houses are made of the reed as well. They are one room homes with beds made of the plant, and some houses even had a tv and radio in them. The women dressed in colorful skirts and jackets in which some colors had different meanings, and the way they wore their hair said whether they were single, married, or in a relationship. In earlier times, when a woman got married she moved to her husband's island, but now things have changed a little bit because one of the women told us her husband moved to her island. Some of us dressed up in the clothing the people were wearing and danced with them. The people themselves seem very content with the islands they've built, they are very lively people, as we could see by the bright colors and dancing.
After leaving the Uru Reed Islands, we went to Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca. Upon arriving at Taquile Island it began to rain, this is significant because just five minutes before it had been bright and sunny. The climate changes so abruptly and the people are always adapting to it. We walked about half way up the island to a civilized center where there were men, women, and children standing around socializing, and selling products. In fact, by the time we got to the center the rain had stopped already and it was sunny again. There were certain men that had black hats on, and these hats signified their status as leader. The children told us they did not go to school, this was something that we found common along the trip. Many of the children walked around, at all hours of the day, selling things to tourists. We left the center and walked the rest of the way up the island, we had lunch at the top and the view was miraculous. One could see the entire Titicaca lake and the whole island. After lunch, a man presented us with a plant that they use for soap and shampoo. He grinded the plant up and rubbed a spongey material in it. They demonstrated washing the hair of llama with this soap, and we got to test the soap out ourselves, as well. It did not smell like anything though. After the soap plant presentation, a family showed us a dance that they like to do. The men pulled some of us up with them and we did the dance as well. When we walked back down the island, we went different way than we had come. Going down we walked down a set of stairs that were very steep. The views were incredible, really from any point on the island you can see an amazing view of the lake, and surrounding areas. When we finally reached the dock, some of us jumped off into freezing cold Lake Titicaca. They said it was one of the most amazing experiences they could describe. After jumping in they said they felt as though they could not breathe but it felt suprisingly cleansing and refreshing.