Day 22 - Puno

Much needed leisurely start this morning--didn't meet the group until 9:15! Unfortunately, Henry had a case of tourista so skipped the day's events.

First stop was to visit a man who weaves reeds in the traditional way. Originally it was too make mattresses and boats, but now he mostly makes umbrellas for restaurants, boats and tourist nicknacks.

Then to central Puno where we visited a guy who makes costumes for the Calendaria celebration. It seems to be kind of a mixture of Catholicism, traditional cultures and Carnival, with masks, lots of sequins and dancing. Apparently, it's more important here than Christmas. The photo is me trying on one of them--quite heavy, so would not be much fun to wear for hours.  Many costume/dress shops on this same street, and people come here to rent outfits for weddings and special events. 

The evening was a dance show of dances from all over Peru, but mostly the high plateau. Fortunately Henry was recovered enough to come.