An Incan legend has it that after creating the universe, Viracocha emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca. The bearded god was so moved by the beauty of the island on which he had come to rest that he created the sun at this place. Henceforth the island that inspired him to set the skies alight was to be known as Isla del Sol – The Island of the Sun.
We walked for hours on the crest of the island, stopping every now and then to rest on stones that nature had improvised into crooked armchairs. In the afternoon, our toes found respite from the trek in a clump of clouds spied frolicking in the lake. When we finally reached Yumani, the fishermen were returning with their daily catch and my companions were quick to offer a helping hand in dragging the boats ashore.
Warmed by the welcome of a people as tranquil and unassuming as the island itself, we built a campfire on the lakeshore. Villagers were quick in coming to our aid and this beautiful youth sacrificed a handmade hairbrush so that we may have sufficient kindling.
With a delicious offering of fish safely tucked away in our bellies and stories of adventures past tailing off into the night, we watched galaxies unfold above: reminders that we are but fleeting moments in their onward journey.
vic briggs 