7/27/2019 La-Isla-del-sol-the-experience-of-water-in-a-landlocked-world_erinwalton.pdf

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NB: extended periods in this piece (...) were used to integrate the many photos which were displayed throughout the text. La Isla del Sol: The Experience of Water in a Land-Locked WorldThere on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, lolling in the inky-blue depths from which Incan legendhas it the Sun god was born, lies La Isla del Sol, the Island of the Sun, its odd, earth-coloured

shape looking for all the world like a fresh splotch of paint, bone of the inner ear or short-hairedyellow cat stretching out on the soft blue covers of its masters bed. Our cat arches its sandy backinto coves whose many shores are lapped at by the immense lake. The island, yellow and dryagainst the blue-black of the waters, lies stillGrowing exponentially in recent years as a tourist attraction, La Isla del Sol is best visited slowly;walked alongsat onand contemplated. Bolivia land-locked and sandwiched between harshlandscapes is a place to feel in; feelings and sensations that will rise and fall like her windsweptmountains, or indeed, your own stomach after an ill-advised market meat dish. Its a country thatwill have an impact.The island forms part of the countrys strange and often isolated scenery, but through this sameisolation, offers visitors a moment to ponder before returning to the mainland.From Copacabana youll travel on an early morning or afternoon ferry ride to the Isla, a trip which isa pleasure in itself as at two hours long its almost like a mini tour if the Lake. Challapampa andYumani, the Islas biggest villages, are home to the majority of the 800 families who call the islandhome. If time is pinching, a short trip to one of these villages will whet your appetite for anotheradventurebut if you have several days its much more recommended to visit both, using them asthe bookends of a days island walk.In the off season, the Isla is quiet. Short wanders lead you to archeological sites and heart-stopping views of this blue-yellow water worldWhere donkeys and pigs might cross your pathAnd flowers cut the blue waters, and snow-capped peaks peek out from the horizon While the air is clean and your surrounds do not appear dirty, travelers must be conscious of theirimpact here. There are no recycling facilities, meaning plastics are periodically burned and thegrowth of tourism can all too easily put the balance out of kilter. Be conscious of your footprint andcome prepared to take out any plastics you purchase, or rubbish you bring in.Other, smaller villages lie along the way where youll catch a glimpse of island life as it bobs along.

Not far from the paths, countless windswept outcrops provide peaceful surroundings for amoments thoughtIf you are not made uneasy by extended peace and are willing to let your busy Bolivian experiencein La Paz or Santa Cruz momentarily go, let a few days pass by on the island to allow your islandtime to sink in. Stay one or two nights in Challapampa the north village visiting ruins, thinking,walking and experiencing the odd almost sea-like sensation this enormous lake gives to itsoceanless land. Later, as you walk to Yumani, take your time between two hours and a daydepending on your pace and drink in the jagged islands many inlets as you go. Stay thereanother night if your cup has not run dry, or catch an afternoon ferry back to Copacabana.For a new, slower, more ambling pace in contrast to the busy colour of many of Bolivias cities, thetones and form of La Isla del Sol delight.

Published by BucketListPublications.comErin Walton