No lie.
The water is lake Titicaca (the highest lake in the world) and the mountains are the Bolivian Cordillera. There are a few in there over 20,000 feet. They are on the list of things to do. I am sitting on the “Isla del Sol” right smack in the middle of this enormous lake. Unfortunately the beautiful view is the only thing I can share with you. The smell of being on the water that is somehow stale mixed with fresh pervades my nostrils and the water lapping up against the bank entertains my ears, as the plunging and stroking of a boatman’s oars plays backup. Despite the onslaught of tourism that is prevalent on this island, it is the most serene place I have been in Bolivia. Night time is incomparable. A zillion stars, no noises except for an ocasional donkey braying. No rotten dogs chasing you or barking, no roosters doodling at all hours of the night…complete campo silence. If for no other reason, that rare bolivian silence made the trip out here worth it.
I am sure my picture does not do the mountain-view justice. I simply can’t get enough of it. On our hike across the island yesterday, they were mostly obscured by clouds…but this morning we looked out our window at the purple sky, turned so by the sun coming up from the behind the range. The view alone was worth way more than the $2 per night charge we were paying for the room.
This is Coleman’s fifth day visiting and it has been an excellent trip so far. Very relaxing, lots of hiking, we are both still healthy. Here on the island we have been eating some delicous fresh trout and home made pizzas. We even randomly ran into a couple volunteer friends of mine and spent the day yesterday hiking with them.
This is by far the shortest entry on this blog, but I simple felt it necessary to share this moment. The view, the sounds, the smells, the feel…people talk about once-in-a-lifetime experiences…well I’m pretty sure this is one of them. Cheers.
