Taquile Island

Trip Start Oct 01, 2004

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of Peru Taquile, Peru
Saturday, October 3, 2009

Taquile Island is located on the Peru side of Lake titicaca and sits at approx 13,300 ft above sea level. Taquile was one of the last islands to fall into Spanish hands during the conquest and still holds many Spanish traditions. The Spanish forbid traditional dress, and therefore the inhabitants adopted traditional Spanish peasant clothing that they still wear to this day.

Besides being a beautiful remote island in Lake Titicaca, Taquile Island is also a perfect peaceful society. I know, I did not believe it either. Taquile has no jail, criminals or any need to policing. Every Sunday the locals meet in the main square to discuss their problems. If someone has broken the island rules (stealing, llying or being lazy) he/she is just booted off the Island. The best part is.......its been working for hundreds of years.

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The locals base their society on Inca moral code and collectivism. The Island is split into six sectors (for farming) and each family plays a separate roll. After a few years they rotate. For ex, you might work farming potato's for six years and then rotate into running a local restaurant.

The island is also know for producing some of Peru's finest handwoven textiles and clothing. All men,women and children each play their separate roll in producing the textiles that are worn locally and sold to tourists. You will not find a single clothing store on the Island because everything is hand woven from sheep's wool.