Lake Titicaca

Well, sure enough, as many of you may have guessed from watching the news, Machu Picchu was a no go. The day we left Cusco there were still over 1,000 people stuck up there awaiting evacuation. You wont hear me complain one bit about the whole situation, as I am extremely thankful not to have been one of the stranded backpackers. Ill be back someday, no reason or time to dwell on adventures that almost happened when fresh experiences wait around every corner.
On our last day in Cusco we booked an all inclusive guided tour of the islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. We paid $65, which seemed a much better deal at the time than it turned out to be. In an attempt not to give any negative aspects more time than they deserve, I will allow myself five sentences to tell you about the disappointments, then move on to tell the tale of how Lake Titicaca redeemed itself in fine fashion...
The bad- Our tour agency did not live up to their promises and left us feeling totally ripped off. The historically rich floating islands of Lake Titicaca have been reduced to tourist traps where unsuspecting visitors are fed a load of inauthentic nonsense and pressured into buying lame souveniers. It felt like a Disney Land ride. I fell asleep on the top of a boat for three hours and gave myself the worst facial sunburn in Peruvian history. It hurts and I look like a leper.

Now, for the good. The magnificent and tranquil Lake Titicaca feels like the top of the world at 12,500 feet above sea level. The immense body of water is dually owned by Peru and Boliva; according to our tour guide, the 'Titi' is property of Peru while Bolivia has proudly laid claim to the 'caca'. There are over 40 islands on the lake, though only a few are inhaited. On the Peruvian side we visited and slept on Amantani, then toured Taquile the following day. Physically, the two islands were very similar, each boasting the ruggedly astounding beauty we have come to expect from southern Peru. Though no body of water in Colorado can compare in size, the lake would not feel out of place deep in the Rocky Mountains. The snowcapped Andes that loom on the horizon make this place feel very much like home.
Early Saturday morning we bid a fond farewell to Peru and crossed the Bolivian border to the the lakeside town of Copacabana. The first things you notice when crossing into Bolivia are the friendly people and the drastic reduction in costs. Our first day I bought an alpaca sweater, cowboy hat (to protect my sunburned face), and a three course meal for around $15. We are staying in what Lonely Planet has praised as being the nicest hostel in Bolivia for a measley $8 dollars a night. Sitting high on a cliff above Copacabana, our current abode has tremendous views of the lake and more resembles a boutique hotel than a hostel. The American dollar has tremendous spending power here, which will lead to a much needed reduction in trip costs.
Todays adventure was a four hour hike on Isla del Sol(Island of the Sun), said to be the origination of the Inka bloodline. The trek was much more laid back than the Colca Canyon, a perfect opportunity to appreciate the pristine beauty of the lake that, til now, I had only seen in pictures during 6th grade geography class.
Staying true to the way of the South American backpacker, we must say goodbye to Copacabana tomorrow, after only two short days. The rest of Bolivia awaits, and we cannot wait to find out what is has to offer. Off to La Paz tomorrow, more updates soon. Thanks for reading!

Responses to posts-
Tasha- We are safe, thank you for your concern. Miss you!

Dad and Mom- Thanks for being my most dedicated blog followers :)

Tica- Thanks for your concern as well! Its great to know we have people looking out for us back in the states.

Josh- Cusco was not just the cats pajamas, it was also the dingos cufflinks and the turtles monacle as well.

Jen- Im so glad you are reading the blog! I think every five minutes about how lucky I am to be down here. This is a truly unforgettable and life changing experience. I wish you were here with me!

Jeremy- Thanks for reading my man, cant wait to see you when I get home.

Hilda- No condors unfortunately; evidently they are rarely spotted this time of year. Thanks for keeping track of us during our troubles in Cusco. Your concern is very much appreciated!

Ryan- You are my FAVORITE reader buddy, but sshhhh, dont tell any of the others :) Your writing skills are coming along very well, I am extremely impressed! Im glad to hear you dont like heights either. Now I dont feel so bad! Keep the posts coming my man and I will respond as quickly as I can!