The Ambassador's Table: Magic journey

Part 2 A Magic Journey To The Heart Of The Inca Empire

A Lake Like an Ocean, Sunken Treasures, Knitting Men and a Community Life of Long Gone Times.

After spending some days at the ancient capital of the Inca Empire,Cuzco, we continued our journey to the lake Titicaca, one of the most fascinating places I have seen so far.
Situated between Peru and Bolivia at an altitude of 3.800 m (12507 feet) above sea level, this place leaves you literally breathless, not only because of the altitude but as well because of it's extraordinary beauty.

The lake is studded with many islands, both natural and men-made.
According to mythology, a large gold treasure was sunken by the Incas in this mysterious waters.
Looking much more like an ocean than a lake, the Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America. It's water is of a deep blue ( maybe due to the good weather :=) ) and its inhabitants have developed the most extraordinary variety of cultures and ways of life.
There are different tribes living in the area.
The Uro people living on their floating islands are a relatively small but very interesting community.
Their islands are made (and must be maintained and replaced regularly) from totora reeds which provide home, sustenance and transportation for their residents.
The islands vary in size and according to the needs they can provide homes for 3 up to 6 or more families.

Walking on them is quite an experience, a bit like walking on a waterbed, as everything moves beyond your feet. The Uros developed through the centuries their own way of life,social system and nature cure.

The inhabitants of Taquile Island
the main village at this small small island is situated about 3950m above sea level.
The Islanders are masters at knitting and weaving and their textiles and clothing was proclaimed "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO.
Men are usually the ones that knit wheras women weave.

The society is runned based on community decisions and on the Inca moral code "ama sua,ama llulla, ama qhilla" which is quetchua for "do not steal,do not lie, do not be lazy.
These people are friendly and proud (but in a rather shy way) of their Island and society and it needs a sensitive and respectful tourism in order to preserve their way of life intact.

One of the youngest inhabitants playing on a floating island made by his parents

This Lama just stepped before my camera at the right moment

Looking for something?

Men knitting at the Taquile island

A Lama somehow puzzled about the speed limit

The austere beauty of the landscape

The huge lake seems to melt into the horizon

Sunset

So we will go to rest,tired but happy after an extraordinary day.
Hope you enjoyed the journey.
See you next week.

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Cusco, or as the Incas called it, "the navel of the world" is located at about 3.400m (11.200) above sea level.
It was once the capital of the almighty Inca Empire, whose territories included not only Peru but large parts of Bolivia,Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. In the 1400s it w as one of the largest states in the world.
Quechua, the old Inca language is still widely spoken.
The charm of the city lies not only in its beautiful architecture but as well in the mix of cultures between Inca and colonial traditions brought by the Spanish who conquered the Empire under the command of Francisco Pizarro in the middle of the 16th century.
Most historic buildings are build on Inca temple and palace foundations on which the Spanish constructed their churches and mansions. From there Christianity was spread through the Andean territories.
Most temples housed incredible gold treasures which were taken away by the conquerors.
The Incas revered gold as tears of the sun and all gold belonged to the Inca, the son of the sun god.
Lamas were the most important domestic animals, carrying heavy burdens and providing food and wool for clothing.
Join me at this fascinating journey discovering Cusco and its surroundings.

The old Santo Domingo church build on the foundations of the temple of the virgins of the sun.
If you look at the foundation you can easily spot the huge, perfectly built in stones made by the Inca architects.

Details of the fine masonry with precisely cut and shaped stones closely fitted without mortar.

The famous twelve angle stone that fits in precisely

A bowl of Coca leaves on display in a luxury hotel. Coca leave tea is offered to all visitors upon arriving against the altitude sickness which makes breathing difficult.