Amantani Island | A Conscience Journey

Posts Tagged With: Amantani Island

Our Stay with Virginia Part 2!

Posted on April 6, 2014 by valarieivester

I’m glad that Virginia ordered rest because we were going to climb Mount Pachatata. This is one of two sacrimonial pilgrimages these people do a year. Every 3rd Thursday in January everyone in the village makes the trek, half go to Pachamama, and the other go to the higher of the two, Pachatata. We were going to clumb Pachatata ofcourse;) We were told this hike would take us 45-60 mins.

Along the way we see a burro!! Honestly, I have no idea why I love burros soooo much but I do;) I think it’s the stubbornness, but I want one, or six;)

One thing we didnt consider….we are walking straight up and the altitude is getting us!!! This is kinda hard!!!

Along the way you will see the locals selling arts and crafts that they are crafting right there!! A few, GOD BLESS THEM, are selling water and snacks so you don’t pass out;)

Jorgie making his way up this beautiful mountain;)

We are almost there! (By the look on my face, you can tell, THE STRUGGLE WAS REAL!)

But once you get to the top…the view is 360 degrees of Lake Titicaca! BEAUTIFUL!!

A quick photo because we made it just before sunset. We find a rock and get nestled in for the show;)

Boy is it gorgeous…as the sun sets the air becomes crisp and the warm glow off the horizon lets us know its time to head back;)

Some of the local girls are eager to take a photo!
NOTE: These sweet faces are still trying to sell you a bracelet or craft. Refrain from taking a pic with them unless you are willing to pay for the pic or buy a bracelet.
But really…who would pass up this photo opp?!?
“I’ll take a bracelet” 😉

As the sunsets, we bundle back up and head back down for dinner with our new family. If dinner is anything like lunch was, we are going to be happy campers!!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Amantani Island, grateful, homestay, humble, Lake Titicaca, learn, Perú, south America, travel | 4 Comments

Do Not Pass This Up! Amantani Island Pt.1

Posted on April 2, 2014 by valarieivester

We made a quick over night stop in Puno, Perú because we had planned on staying with a family on Isla de Amantani for a night. To get there we had to board a small boat and travel 3 hours off the coast of Perú.

When we arrived we were both nervous because other than knowing we were going to stay with a local family and learn about their way of life, we really didn’t know what to expect. We hopped off the boat to meet our family for the next 2 days.

As we exit, we can see that the women are there to greet us and also find out who they will be hosting. We didn’t know it then but we were going to be assigned to Virginia, she’s 3rd from the right;)

Once we knew we were going to be staying with her we walked back to her home. On the way she showed us their church…

This was the road that led to her home.
Fuente de la Eterna Juventud = Fountain of Eternal Youth
I know which road I’m walking down as many times as I can!!!

We arrived to the home that Virginia shares with her parents Augustina and Daniel, along with her brother Alex. Don’t be fooled by the structure, this building is nothing more than a mud/clay house with windows.

She then shows us to our room. This is the view right outside our door…..overlooking Lake Titicaca. Simply amazing;)

The inside of our room is simple but so comfortable;)
Virginia says for us to get comfortable and that she has made us almuerzo. For two weary travelers, a home cooked meal sounds amazing and we are extremely grateful!

She shows us around so we know where we will be staying.

The outdoor baño doesn’t flush but its soooo clean which is more than I can say for half the hostels we have stayed in up to this point;) The bucket next to the toilet is filled with water so you can rinse out the toilet after you use it…..IT’S ABOUT TO GET REAL!! 🙂

She then invites us to sit in her kitchen/dining area. Decorated with beautiful colored tableclothes, I’m a happy guest;)

She serves up the most delicious bowl of Sopa de Quinoa. This dish is a staple for her family and all the Andean people who live on Amantani Island. They grow their own quinoa in the backyard!!

We thought it was enough with the sopa but then she serves us a plate of home grown potatoes, an egg, and a side salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. We are more than full but we indulge and thank Virginia for her work in the kitchen.

AND IT JUST KEEPS COMIN!!!
She ends the meal with a steaming cup of tea and provides us coca leaves and fresh spearmint grown in her garden. (Belly soooo full) I sit back and enjoy the tea.
PS. you haven’t lived if you haven’t had fresh herbs in your tea…MAKE IT HAPPEN;)

As we were sipping our tea…we got guests!!

The familias chickens must have smelled the delicious cooking and wanted in for a taste! Even with my offer to help clean the dishes she wouldn’t hear of it and orders us rest;)

After lunch we had some time to relax before a hike up to Pachatata, one of the islands places of worship. We are already so high up, but Pachatata is going to be even higher and the cold is going to set in.
Augustina (Virginia’s mama) knits hats for a living and offers me one….It was one of the coolest things I have ever bought.