Day 32

Here I am taking a 'taxi' with Nick to our boat. I'm rocking a TCNJ shirt. [[Special shout out to my best friend Jessy Strincoski and a happy 21st to ya!]]

We took a cool little 'taxi' - aka a man on pedaled us on a bike - to a dock where a boat awaited our group. 

Destination - the floating islands/the island of Tequile.

Here I am purchasing sugar and pasta. These goods were gifts that I gave to the family's house that I stayed in on Island Tequile.

Here I am on the boat. The body of water is Lake Titicaca.

Here I am getting off the boat and taking my first step onto one of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

On the floating island, the families were very welcoming. A man named, Willy, showed us how he and other families constructed their floating island. It was very interesting.

Here I am dressed up in typical clothing that the natives on the floating islands wear. Each family welcomed us into their home and let each one of us dress up in their clothing.

After our first floating island, we got on a boat made of straw and traveled to another floating island.

After visiting our second floating island, we took an hour voyage to our final destination, the island of Tequile.

On the island we were warmly welcomed with live music and dancing...oh, and some muna as well. Muna is a plant that reminds me a little bit of mint and is supposed to help your digestive system.

Shortly after we arrived, we were fed lunch. There was trout, vegetables, soup, rice and potatoes. I personally did not eat the trout, they made me eggs instead.

After we had lunch, we hiked for about 45 minutes to a beach on the island.

Here I am on the beach - I know - I don't look very prepared for 'the beach'.

Afterwards, I hiked back from the beach. Shortly after I arrived back to my family's home, we took another hike to the top of the mountain to see the sunset. 

Here is the beautiful sunset over the lake.

We went back from the sunset before it became too dark. 

Why?

Because the island had no electricity.

PERK: THE STARS WERE GORGEOUS.

After some literal stargazing, we had dinner. Rice, potatoes, bread, soup - nothing too extravagant. 

After dinner...

we had...

a...

bonfire.

We all dressed up, again, and circled around the bonfire, danced, and played instruments.

We all looked and acted ridiculous.

It was marvelous.

Then, we broke out a guitar and I played some tunes around the fireside.

That was basically it for the night.

We were all in bed no later than 10:30.

Beautiful day.

Hasta pronto mis amores!