While traveling through Peru, we spent some time at Lake Titicaca. We took a boat out into the lake to visit the floating islands of Uros, which are created by Aymara tribes. The Aymara people are an indigenous nation in the Andes regions of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Two thousand years ago, their ancestors ran to the lake to escape attacks by other groups. They created floating islands that they and their families have continued ever since. The islands only last about 30 years, so they have to continuous rebuild and maintain their islands, which are made from reeds that grow in the lake.

Anyway, while we were there, I took this photo of one of the elders. She was one of 25 family members living on one island (there are 89 total islands). Something about how sad she looks make this picture interesting to me. While I interacted with her, she didn’t appear sad to me. But after returning home, I looked at the picture more closely. All I see is a sad woman, but that isn’t her.

By the way, that’s her hut behind her. They are simple one room (5 x 8 feet) huts made out of the same reeds they use for their floating islands, boats, etc….

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Before Kristine, mentions it.....I will. Yes I photographed an actual person. I know it goes against my routine, but it happened.