hasta la vista Puno and Lake Titicaca!

We finally said goodbye to Lake Titicaca and the city of Puno. I was frankly glad to get out of there as my memories were tainted by sleepless nights, and the town of Puno is really a dump. The only reason to go there is to go see the islands. Puno is about as unnattractive a city that I've ever seen on any travels. The noise level was always high, because the cars, mototaxis and tricycle taxis (didn't have the pleasure of riding one of those) were always competing for space. The Peruvian rules of the road seem to be based on the practice of honking first, then looking to see if there is traffic later. There are very few stop signs and almost no stop lights either. They somehow just trust the other car will stop...its quite terrifying to be a passenger or a pedestrian. To cross a street you must wait and wait ...and then run for your life!

I though the Lake Titicaca islands were overrated. For all the inconvenience it takes to get there...endless bus and boat rides. The islanders way of living and customs are interesting, but the commercialism of the whole thing puts a bad taste in my mouth. (Or is that perhaps my parasite medication?)

With all the millions of dollars tourists are pouring into that area every year I felt it to be a tragedy that the regular folks of the town of Puno have such very low living standards. Except for the main streets, most streets were not paved. The port, where hundreds of tourists board boats to the islands daily, resembled a floating garbage dump. The stink of urine filled the streets and bus stations was nauseating. (Sidenote: I have noticed that here it is quite acceptable to pee where you are... it is common to see men, women and children urinating on the street in plain view. ) Elderly beggars were a common sight. Poverty smacked you in the face no matter where you went.