Isla del Sol and more of Copacabana, Bolivia

This is really the most ridiculous religious process I've ever seen... I try to be open minded about these things, but this is really stupid. They are blessing their cars. Really. They cover the cars with crap, set off fireworks UNDERNEATH THE CAR, and then pour champagne all over it. It's the most bizarre thing, I had to sit and watch for a while, but from a safe distance in case there was a leak under the car while the fireworks were going off. Madness! We've only seen this in Copacabana, I don't know whether or not it's common in Bolivia.
The beach of Copacabana on the weekend! Note the llama for kids rides. Copacabana is the only land-locked nation with a naval fleet but you can understand why when you look out at lake titicaca... it's like looking at the great lakes, you can't see the other side.
This is our first camping site on Isla del Sol. This island is supposed to be about the ruins and Incan history but we really used it to do some hiking. The ruins were neat but the views were better. This particular camp site is on the edge of a bunch of farm plots manned by perhaps 5 families on the other side of this bay.
This is a glimpse of the labrynth (also called Temple of the Sun) which was built by the Incas. This is supposedly where their first leader was birthed by the sun and mother earth. Sort of a Jesus concept. The labrynth was impossible to take good pictures of but it was very twisty and confusing. This spot has been occupied for a really long time, long before the Incas.
This is me at a sacrificial table (mainly for animals, I think). As always, the smoothness of Incan stones is very impressive. Behind me is the Puma Rock (jaguar shaped). This is right next to the labrynth. The mouth is the inward section slightly to the right of centre. Pumas are incredibly important in the religion of all peoples that come from the areas we've seen in South America. They represent power and divinity... when shaamen took hallucinogens they said that they were being possesed by the puma (divinity) and even are represented as turning into them.
This is near our second campsite on Isla del Sol, on the beach next to the northern village (easier for meals). This was a nice site as well but a bit noisier, especially when the local children want to play. These kids learn their manners from their parents who bully tourists into giving them money... the kids did a damn good job of bullying us into spinning them around, but the concept of taking turns was totally lost of them! They really didn't understand what was good behavior and what wasn't, though that's my northern interpretation of good behavior. Rules are very different for children down here.


So now we're headed back to Peru for the last 10 days of our trip (yikes!). It goes so quick and though we don't want to leave the excitement and the learning experience, we're very happy to be going home for christmas. Can't wait to see everyone!