Estoy en Puno!

I am spending the week in the Puno area to scout out a place to live for the month of March. I set out from  Arequipa on Monday, February 10 and had a front row seat on a Cruz del Sur bus. These buses are double deckers, so if you ride on top and are lucky enough to get the first seat, you have a panoramic view of the countryside.

 

Image of Traveling Socks in the bus window
My friend Emily made these socks especially for trekking in Peru. Today, they have a front-row seat!
The south of Peru reminds me of some of the landscapes you see in the Southwest. Miles and miles of open desert country, with an occasional river running through.
Altiplano of Southern Peru 1
Highway to Puno

We arrived late in Puno and ran smack dab in the middle of the region’s biggest party of the year! The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria was in full swing (on a Monday!) with thousands and thousands of dancers and musicians making their way down the street we needed to go down to get to the bus terminal. After about an hour of waiting, it became apparent, that the bus would not be moving for many hours so all the passengers debarked and began walking to our destinations. Luckily, I was travelling light and had not checked any baggage AND I had gotten a map of Puno while in Arequipa. I still got really turned around because most people could not tell me where I was on the map and most streets do not have street signs.

Slowly, after walking through many back streets,  I oriented myself and realized that I had to CROSS the main parade route to get to my hostel and there seemed to be no way through the blocks and blocks of bleachers that had been erected for the parade (Vashonites: think Strawberry Festival on triple steroids!).

Journal Entry from Puno Peru about being proud for not panicking while pushing through crowds of people.

Finally I came upon a little gate to go through and I had the chance to test my ability to be “pushy.” I had to go through a tiny gate with a hundred other people, cross the street, and through another gate before another procession came by and I became a part of the festival! Once through, it was not far to my destination and I stepped through the gate of the El Manzano(apple tree) hotel to find an oasis of trees, birds singing, and a smiling host to welcome me—he even reduced the cost of my room—I’m not sure why! It was soon to be dark, so it was so nice to be in my cozy room before the real partying started in the streets.

El Manzano Hotel in Puno, Peru
Courtyard of the El Manzano Hotel

I was so tired, and a little worried that I had over-done it a bit and not respected the 12,500 foot altitude or  my age. So I decided to rest for the evening, even though I could hear the bands playing a half a block away and it was very tempting to go back down to watch the festivities.

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Picture of Cathy Fulton

Cathy Fulton

I am Cathy Fulton and I became a world nomad in 2014. Traveling has become a way of life for me. Except for the fact that I am a citizen of the United States, I don’t have a residence. I am retired and I like to travel solo and independently. I don’t know how many times I have heard, “You are living my dream.” My reply is, “It doesn’t have to be a dream. It can be a reality!"

2 thoughts on “Estoy en Puno!”

  1. I've written in my book to go back and read what ever I've missed and not read from your last several blogs! I so enjoy your days there!
    And, I think you took terrific, dramatic, beautiful photos from the bus.

    Wish I were there!

    Love on Valentines Day from Devon Atkins

  2. Hydration and rest to acclimate to the altitude! Take it easy for a few days and you will be fine.
    Happy Valentines day Cousin! Hugs, Billy

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