08-09-2006 Lake Titicaca, Amantani Island

Our Lake Titicaca expedition in Peru was an amazing adventure into the highest navigable lake in the world. Our first night on the expedition, we slept in the native islander's home on one of the lakes peninsulas. They even held a celebration in the little "town hall" making us feel right at home in the farthest place from it. It is something we will always remember. Their bright (well okay, brownish) faces welcoming us in to their dance circle, which really got the party started. There were no disco balls or booming speakers, but the flute playing island boys were good enough. When we came home to our clay floored huts for dinner, our hosts welcomed us in and got us situated in one of the bedrooms. They then welcomed us by the fire, to watch (I even helped) the fire burn and crackle, lighting their smiling faces, and keeping us company on such a primitive island without plumbing or electricity. So in the little candle lit homes, we felt like true natives, braving the lake like Peruvians.
By: Adrian Adamiec