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Série sobre minha viagem ao PERU - América do Sul - Departamento de PUNO - Cidade de PUNO - LAGO TITICACA - De 6 a 22 de Setembro de 2007 - nº 002 !

(Series on my Trip to PERU - South America - Department of PUNO - City of PUNO - TITICACA LAKE - From September 6th to 22nd, 2007 - #002!)


AS ILHAS FLUTUANTES DOS UROS - THE UROS FLOATING ISLANDS - LAS ISLAS FLOTANTES DE LOS UROS - I spent two days in PUNO, the main peruvian city by the TITICACA LAKE! Some of the local attractions include boat rides around the lake, visiting some islands, such as those interesting, unique and beautiful so-called floating ones, where the UROS (indian people) live (they have been living there for centuries!). It's pretty close to the city - around 5km - and one can reach them in 20 minutes by boat! Besides the particular beauty of the place, it was pretty interesting getting to know some details of their lifestyle!

"To visitors to Lake Titicaca, a boat trip to the floating islands, a unique tourist destination, is a must! Those islands are made and re-made from the "TOTORA" reeds which provide home, sustenance and transportation for their residents.
Those floating islands are the home of the Uros tribe, one which pre-dates the Incan civilization. According to their legends, they existed before the sun, when the Earth was still dark and cold, but they lost their status of super beings when they disobeyed universal order and mixed with humans, making them susceptible to contempt. They scattered, losing their identity, language and customs. They became the Uro-Aymaras, and now speak Aymara. Because of their simple and precarious lifestyle, the Incas thought they worth little and for that reason taxed them very little. Yet the Uros, with their basic reed homes outlasted the mighty Incas with their huge stone temples and mountain-top enclaves.
The "TOTORA" is a cattail type rush growing native in the lake. Its dense roots support the top layer, which rots and must be replaced regularly by stacking more reeds on top of the layer beneath. The islands change in size and more are created as the need arises. The largest island is currently Tribuna. The surface of the islands is uneven and thin. The unwary might not notice a thin spot and sink a leg or more into the frigid waters of the lake.
The islands are part of the "Titicaca National Reserve", created in 1978 to preserve 37 thousand hectares of marsh reeds in the south and north sectors of Lake Titicaca. The reserve protects over 60 species of native birds, four families of fish and 18 native amphibians species.
The floating islands are protected within the "Bay of Puno" and are home to 2000 or so Uros, who claim to have "black blood" and, for that reason, are consequently immune to the cold. They call themselves be kot-suña, or people of the lake, and consider themselves the owners of the lake and its waters. They continue living by fishing, weaving and now, tourism. They catch fish for themselves and sell on the mainland. They also catch shore birds and ducks for eggs and food. Occasionaly, if the level of the lake decreases, they may plant potatoes in soil created by the decaying reeds, but as a rule, they are not agricultural. The reed boats quite often have an animal face or shape on the prow and are a favorite photographic subject.
The Uros residents of the islands create their homes from the reeds. The roofs are waterproof but not humidity resistant. Cooking fires are built on a layer of stones to protect the reeds. Residents wear layers of clothing, mostly woolen, to protect themselves from the cold, the wind, and the sun which at this altitude can burn fiercely. Many women still wear the distinctive derby type hat and full skirts.
The residents offer their handicrafts for sale to visitors who can expect a hard sell."

(Source: http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/
topdestlaketiticaca/a/floatingislands.htm)


SOME PICTURE DATA:

Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D80
Software: Picasa 3.0
Exposure Time: 10/2500 sec
F-Stop: f/10.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 160
Focal Length: 18 mm
Date Taken: 2007-09-15 11:09
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
File Size: 273 kb