Thoughts on Floating Islands

So, as I mentioned earlier, Oscar got me to think a lot about the roles that children play in the places I have visited--and the long-term effects on their families culture--particularly with regards to making money (in some cases work). I think that I've started to develop some opinions on the subject, but really just wanted to sit down, type things out, and throw out some questions in hopes that anybody who reads this will either come back with some questions or thoughts of their own...

Before you go on, I warn you that none of this may make sense. It is really just for my own sake that I type this out.

Oscar wasn't the only thing that made me think about this topic... It actually all started a while ago when I read about the floating reed islands of the Uro people located on Lake Titicaca and accessible from Puno. I probably should have gone to see it for myself before I really start to formulate any thoughts on the matter, but after hearing things from a lot of travellers, guide books, etc. I couldn't have helped but develop some opinions... Most of the travellers that I have spoken with, and the differing guide books have suggested that thte islands have become overwhelmingly commercialized. One person told me it was, "a fully overblown tourist attraction with a taste of culture--however compromised." I know, what in the hell does this have to do with kids and making money? Well, its really about what the kids or families do in order to earn the money, and what kind of affect it has on not only the kids future, but also the future of the entire culture (Culture is also a common theme amongst all of the places that I have visited thus far, and since the education--of all sorts--of children affects the future of the culture, I thought it all to be relevant).

As I have traveled through Guanajuato, Mexico City, Quito, Otavalo, Guayaquil, Cusco, Huayllacocha, Puno, Copacabana, and now La Paz, I have seen a common thing with regards to the culture--an obvious one at that--kids working in some way, shape, or form. The how and why differ greatly amongst all of the places, and none of them--to my knowledge--are forcing the kids to do overly demanding labor... In Mexico, not a whole lot of kids seemed to work, unless it was in their family shops or bakeries. The same was the case for Otavalo and Quito. In Copacabana, Cusco, and La Paz, kids work--though the degree and method seems to vary greatly. In Cusco, and as I have heard with regard to the floating islands, kids are put on show in order to get photos taken for money, i.e. dressing in traditional garb and posing with Llamas. Here in La Paz, mothers are telling their children to walk up to white people, put on a cute face, and beg for change (I don't find anything wrong with asking for money, but having your kids ask for money--in my opinion--is teaching them something far less important than most other things that kids need to be taught... And I am aware that in a country such as Bolivia, where the economy isn't doing so great, people are going to be down, especially without a primary education in many instances) ... Conversely, in Copacabana kids are working in restaurants during break in order to help out the fam. Or, in Oscar's case, they are trying to guide around obviously confused tourists in order to make a dime. In all cases--I hope--kids are learning things and they are using information that they have either learned from their parents or school.


And here come the questions...

So which kids are going to have a more prosperous future? Which kids are also most likely to maintain cultural traditions and cultural integrity--whatever that may be? In Oscar's case, I wouldn't be surprised if he learns English, moves away from the island and still maintains traditions held on Isla del Sol--though with adjustments, or compromises. In converse, what will happen to the kid on the floating reed island whose culture may--or may not--be compromised by the thousands of white tourists that pay big bucks to come watch the same routine? The kid is learning that you can make a living by sharing your culture with people, right? Is that a bad thing? What will happen with that kid if Lake Titicaca ever dries up? Will he have the skills necessary to make a living then? What about his kids? How about Oscar's? If, in each scenario, the culture adjusts to accomodate survival, what is the big long-term difference? It is entirely possible that the mother on the streets of La Paz will use the money she gets to ensure that her kids get an education and never have to panhandle again...

And some bigger questions...

Will the respective cultures fade away regardless of what happens in the 'opposing' situations? Does the long-term adjustment of culture, via a blend with commercialization, mean that its not the same? Is culture ever the same from generation to generation? Can you ever deem which parts of a culture are the most important?

Kind of a long rambling post, but these are the things that I think about as I move from place to place. In many cases, they're also the things that we aren't always faced with in the states... I don't know. What do you think?

Sir, There is Something Wrong with Your Language

Looking back on the last few days, I can honestly say that if you ever have a chance, you have to go to the Galpagos Islands. The place is incredible. Puerto Ayora, the main city in Santa Cruz, itself is an incredibly charming, laid-back town, with some pretty patient people. The southern islands, as I can no say from experience, are beautiful. Each island seems to have its own distinct personality. Blue Footed Boobies, however, are still creepy and will forever haunt my dreams. I found out, by the way, that they get their name from diving into the water with their beaks open.

Being able to be in a place where animals take precidence is an experience in and of itself. It was refereshing, especially because they seemed to know it. Even crabs, as tasty as they can be, roam untouched in overwhelming abundance, despite colorfully patterned shells that seem to scream, "EAT ME!" Maybe though, I have just worked in a crabhouse for too many summers...

I honestly don't know if I would hav had as much fun if it weren't for the pople that I took my tour with. Serg was about three weeks deep into work with no holiday, but still seemed to have a passion for what he was doing. At the least, he did everything he could--within respectful limitation--to ensure that we were well informed and entertained. Neil, Coralie, Rob and Bev were great--I don't know what I would have done without people to make smartass remarks with. Its the one thing (smartass jokes) that you can't really understand, or get, when you are beginning to learn another language (at least when somebody else is telling a joke). They lose their charm when you have to break them down word for word, or they can go unnoticed altogether--at leat the little ones.

Language is, however, the gap that divides us from the rest of humanity. As my brother, and now also my ultrawise tour guide Sergio, say, we are part of a family and learning a language allows our family to grow. As I've already found, there are thousands of wonderful, amazing people out there just waiting to make our lives. We just have to learn their language. Although only speaking Spanish makes me as homesick as all hell sometimes (it limits what I think can be the greater parts of my personality... haha), learning the language is the only way that I know I can go somewhere in the future and not get homesick--its the one way I can crack a smartass joke anywhere in the world, and maybe, just maybe, get a rise out of somebody.

In some ways, it wasn't the cultural experience that I could have gotten (but it WAS amazing). It did, however, show me the importance of learning a language. Of course, it isn't only about cracking jokes... Though, that is a part of maintaining my sanity.

Anyway, after four delays of two hours a piece, a computer malfunction and subsequent delay, I made the two and a half journey through the air from Guayaquil to Cusco. My initial impressions are positive... though I could do without the thousands of offers for a massage. I'll explain more later though... I have to get ready for my trek.