Neal Bierling, Archaeological Adventures: Getting High in Peru, now at Lake (Lago) Titicaca, 12,500 feet and up

Getting High in Peru, Lago (Lake) Titicaca, 12,500 feet and higher
September 20, 21, and 22.
This post covers Sunday, September 22. Soon I plan to post the events on September 21, which happened to be my birthday. The students surprised me and I have not yet sorted the pictures.

Our hotel for the 2-night stay was in the village of Chucuito. Only some trees interrupted our view of Lago Titicaca with its birds and what looks like fish pens. Sunday morning we gathered outside the hotel in view of the Lago for devotions led again by the students. Scripture was read and personalized and we sang songs. Alas, no condors flew overhead as at Canon del Colca.

We had at least 2 ½ hours of free time, but Profe Bierling encouraged us to explore the village of Chucuito—just up the dirt track. Katia, our travel advisor had provided us with a map of the village—what to look for and how to get there. Our first stopping point was the Incan Temple, and the picture shows it next to one of the old Catholic churches rather than being under it as is quite often the case. Then we headed for the Plaza de Armas, which was a pretty plaza with fancy-cut bushes, a quartz sundial, and a good number of locals communing together. Profe Bierling wanted to come here because as the stones laid out on the hillside state, “Cajas Reales” or Royal boxes. During the Spanish Conquest times of the Inca King Atahualpa, the Spanish placed boxes here before a cross (also shown in a picture), and the local Incas had to fill them with gold and silver to save the life of their king, but he was killed in spite of all the gathered gold/silver.

The Cathedral Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion is missing its original roof now replaced with tin, and the church shows its wear. No services are held here due to no priest for this village of 1100 inhabitants. Near the front and off to one side was a painting of a bridge linking this village and church with Rome. In the back was a well-worn painting showing the Circumcision of Jesus with the rabbi in the foreground, Baby Jesus held by Mary and Joseph on the left in back. We were the only visitors, and the boy holding the keys was patiently waiting for us to leave so he could shut the church. Both of us were happy to be able to spend some time inside the church filled with so many ghosts of the past who were unable to tell us their history.

Then we went to find the Mirador, which when we located it provided us with a grand view of the Lago, uninterrupted with buildings, just farms and fields down to the waterside. Since we were running out of time, I went ahead to the “Pisicultura,” a fish farm up slope with natural spring waters flowing down to the ponds containing different size fish.

Time was up so we returned to the hotel as did the students, many of whom also visited the village. Wise location and hotel choice.