Copa, Copacabana
Trip Start
Jun 12, 2008
1
18
34
Trip End
Nov 19, 2008
Copacabana,
Bolivia
Monday, August 11, 2008
Headed down the considerably steep hill to get some lunch. We walked up and down looking for a bargain almuerzo but everything seemed surprisingly expensive. This was until we realised (stupidly) that all the prices wee in Bolivianos! We settled on a three course soup, trout, creme caramel-thing meal with juice which cost 15Bs or a quid 20! O yes I was going to like Bolivia! In the afternoon we ambled around which seemed to be what you do in Copacabana.
Day 2 started with huge breakfast at the hotel (I know I talk about food lots, I canīt help it!)
doorway2
. We had heard about the blessing of the cars outside the Cathedral that happened in Copacabana and the fact that it was their party week meant that it was likely to be an interesting affair. We had also read that that there was a canle chapple at the Cathedral that sounded interesting so we headed up there to check it all out. The Cathedral itself is quite impessive on the outside, almost like how I imagine an Andalucian Cathedral to be almost Moorish. It was white with domes and greensish blue tiling. The size of it for such a tiny village was amazing. The candle chapel was dark. Litterally and metaphoically. I felt a little uncomfortable in there for some reason, hard to explain. The locals go there and light candles to pray for things. Kinda nomal. But they also make pictures of the things they are praying for with candles. These are not such complex things like world peace etc but things like their car, house, children etc. It was a spook place I felt.
Back out into the square mayhem was ensuing! Every car, taxi, lorry, minibus, ambulance and truck owner had come to have their vehicle decorated and blessed. This was being overseen by one red faced and increasingly frustrated policeman who was doing his best to keep a system in place. George and I placed ourselves at the bottleneck and watched! He did a fine job, the policeman, that was until his attention was needed somewhere else. Then all his work descended into lots of horn beeping, intricate reversing manouveres, and gesticulation from the locals. It seemed to work just not the Bristish way, haha! It was fun to just watch what was going on though and not have to be involved. Then off for a great lunch (I know more food) of more fresh trout!
decorating the taxi
After lunch we decided to hit the lake it what can only be described as a giant, red, swan. A pedalo that is. We had fun pedalling around the harbour, the sun sparkling on the lake and the little fishing boats bobbing away. For the cheesiest photo of this then see Georgeīs blog! It was a nice relaxing afternoon in the sun. That evening we had decided to climb the steep path up to a viewpoint to watch the sunset. After the Inca trail the walk didnīt prove too much off a problem and the view of the sunset was certainly worth it. Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the Inca relgion and when you see the sun rise or fall over this vast lake you can see why. It was a niee moment. Shame about the fact that the rest of Copacabana had also decided to make the effort! It was still beautiful though!
Day 3 saw us take a trip to the Isla del Sol the true birthplace of the Incas. We hopped on the slowest boat in the world and started our 2 hour trip accross the water to the Island. Having caught the trekking bug we ha opted for the 5 hour 9km trek along the length of the Island. This was a really nice trek which took in the sun temple and various other sites. I bought a frog amulet from a local guy at the sacrafice table and we also bought a nice table cloth. The view along the walk was spectacular. The dry, redish island gave way to the bright blue water of Titicaca and in the distance were the snow capped peaks of some high Andes mountains and the blue sky above. It was one of the best views so far in South America. Really stunniing! The walk was a stroll for us although it was a little hot and dusty. We were beggining to enjoy walking! Back down to the boat and to the mainland. We would head off to La Paz the next morning!
