Rough Ride to Puno....
Puno, the Folklore Capital of Peru is a melting pot of the Aymara and Quechua
culture. Most of its inhabitants are of Andean origin and it has a
unique mixture of modernity and Andean traditions. Women in traditional
clothing live and work next to their modern versions. Puno's elevation is about 3,822m, which means it is fairly cold, especially at night.
Linda:
"It was 6 hours ride! On the
way, we passed through 4500 meters in altitude - some of us
were a bit short of breath on the bus but ok. We stopped at the
Sillustani Archaeological site which is 3,800 meter in altitude.
We hiked a hill to see the site and it took some effort to get on
top. Since we arrived in Lima and we have been drinking coca leafs
tea. So far, everyone is doing fine!"
Tina: "4500 m?! You guys are unbelievable! Let's plan the next trip to the Everest Base Camp!!!"
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| Baño stop |
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| Coca Leaves |
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"The coca leaf has been chewed and brewed for tea traditionally
for centuries in the Andean region. The traditional method of chewing coca leaf consists of keeping a
saliva-soaked ball of coca leaves in the mouth together with an alkaline
substance, such as lime or wood ash, which assists in extracting
alkaloids, including cocaine from the leaves. When chewed, coca acts as a mild stimulant and suppresses hunger,
thirst, pain, and fatigue. It helps overcome altitude sickness".
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| Linda joining a local woman for a little chill out ... |
Once you learn about the
local culture, religions, and superstitions, you will discover that most
locals believe that your camera sort of "sucks out their soul" when
you capture their image. They are quite adamant about avoiding looking
into your lens. To be understanding of this idea and respectful
to the people is a must.
So what's the best way to get a great shot of a local "being natural" ?
Smiling helps, and paying money is always a good strategy..
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