We are now at our first of two homestays in a small village called Sibayo, still in the Colca Valley, 3,810m above sea level. I booked my tour pretty much last minute, looked at the places where we would go in the three weeks and the dates available and all looked good. What I had overlooked were the details about the homestays. What homestays? Not a nice hotel?
Our host family are lovely and are Quechuan. Benita and Ceasar have two children, a girl Paty (10 years old) and Ivan (11 years old). Their home is very basic and me and Cecilia stayed with them overnight. Our room was a very basic freezing cold room that they had build specially for homestays. Intrepid like to include homestays to get to know the local people and traditions which is good. No heating, but we had a bed full of thick blankets and a hot water bottle made from a Pepsi bottle wrapped in cotton cloth. There was also an outside bathroom, but I did not take a shower as would have probably caught frostbite.
Don´t laugh but that is me on the left
It was freezing and as a welcoming gesture we were all clothed in traditional Sibayo clothes. Hoping that the others in our group would also be wearing a costume we all meet down by the river to go fishing. We are suppose to see what the family typically do and help with their chores.
Golden River
The river was beautifull. In the sunshine the river looked like it was made from gold.
Alpacas stuck in the river
We looked across the river and the family that owned the Alpacas were trying to get them out of the water. So we crossed over the bridge to see them.
Paty and I crossing the bridge
So I was dressed in unusual (always the diplomat) clothes (but luckily very warm) and I thourght 'you want me to cross that bridge?' It was pretty high above the cold river below. I saw Kirsty and Sophie coming towards me from the other side so it must be okay to cross. Was a bit scary as it swayed and there were some slats missing. But managed to cross and come safely back. We did not go fishing so went for a walk and then headed back to our homestays for dinner. There religion is a combination of Mayan 'Mother Earth' and 'Spanish Catholic'.
It was basic soup for tea. (I don´t really care for soup, but ate it) The family make and sell through an organised co-operative organisation selling traditional hats, gloves, bags and souvenirs. So with my very basic Spanish I bought a hat, gloves, socks and a small bag from the daughter. The socks I wore in bed. Other villagers fish and farm potatoes and carrots. Others will work in local towns in construction. It is a tough climate to live in and would be too cold for me to live there. The children´s face have a permanent red cheeked glow. There is a small school and college and a main square.
MONDAY MORNING
We were awoken at 6.15am by a government run radio station (only one channel), announcing what the various families are to do that day, i.e cleaning the square, chores within the community. I did not really want to get out of bed as it was very cold, dark and early. They have big breakfasts and small evening meals. We had fresh fish (caught this moring by Ceasar), rice and vegetables, which was nice. Their stove is powered by dung, and the kitchen is also the dinning room.
Another mummy
After breakfast we all meet up again and went on a morning walk around the village, This time in our own clothes. In the hills we saw a Pre-Incan mummy that was on the side of a hill. I had seen enough mummies in Nazca so had a quick look. Was very well perserved.
Inca walls
The walk was good and on the way we saw farm houses made from Inca walls. Being cold we were all happy to head to a lower altitude.
Benita selling her souvenirs
MONDAY AFTERNOON
We then headed to Puno across the Andes on a 9 hour bus trip! We could see again El Misti Volcano in the distance. It was a long journey.
El Misti Volcano
On the way we stopped at a lake to stretch our legs. This was Lake Lagunillas and 4,400m above sea level. So pretty high! I managed to sleep a bit on the bus but not much.
Lake Lagunillas
Flamingos
I like signs
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