Comments on: Living on Floating Islands http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/ The Neat Side of the Web Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Byrd Brain http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415828 Byrd Brain Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:13:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415828 I have it on good authority that McDonalds will be putting in a store on the island by the end of 2011. I have it on good authority that McDonalds will be putting in a store on the island by the end of 2011.

]]> By: Lore http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415806 Lore Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:42:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415806 Guess the prevention of unwanted contact didn't really work out... Guess the prevention of unwanted contact didn’t really work out…

]]> By: sw http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415752 sw Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:55:33 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415752 that's so sad that the islands have devolved into a tourist trap, seems incredibly neat that’s so sad that the islands have devolved into a tourist trap, seems incredibly neat

]]> By: Chuck B http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415716 Chuck B Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:04:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415716 I have to agree with trvllr. I was there two years ago, and the entire operation is a tourist trap designed to separate you from your money. Yes, it's very cool to see the physics of the floating island, and to imagine the history. But today, the guides pressure you to buy trinkets, the inhabitants thrust their kids in your faces to sing for you, then get angry if you don't give them money. It's very depressing. I have to agree with trvllr. I was there two years ago, and the entire operation is a tourist trap designed to separate you from your money. Yes, it’s very cool to see the physics of the floating island, and to imagine the history. But today, the guides pressure you to buy trinkets, the inhabitants thrust their kids in your faces to sing for you, then get angry if you don’t give them money. It’s very depressing.

]]> By: trvllr http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415679 trvllr Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:17:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415679 I was in the area for a few weeks last october, and I have to say, not everything in the article is strictly true. The Uro culture is not in danger of being absorbed, it is actually dead. The last woman who was pure-blood Uro died in the 1950s (if I remember correctly). Everyone there tends to agree (if you ask them off the record): The islands are run now strictly for the touristic value, and are mostly just a spot to put the souvenir stands on. You also won't find many old people there. Those are enjoying the dryness and the comfort of the main land too much. The island are a wonderful sight, nonetheless. Interesting is also that the new "Uros" have a valuable environmental function: They keep the Titicaca lake clean of plastic bottles, as they discovered they can be used as effective floating bodies hidden inside their reed-boats. :-) That is a relatively new technology, as you might guess. I was in the area for a few weeks last october, and I have to say, not everything in the article is strictly true. The Uro culture is not in danger of being absorbed, it is actually dead. The last woman who was pure-blood Uro died in the 1950s (if I remember correctly).

Everyone there tends to agree (if you ask them off the record): The islands are run now strictly for the touristic value, and are mostly just a spot to put the souvenir stands on. You also won’t find many old people there. Those are enjoying the dryness and the comfort of the main land too much.

The island are a wonderful sight, nonetheless. Interesting is also that the new “Uros” have a valuable environmental function: They keep the Titicaca lake clean of plastic bottles, as they discovered they can be used as effective floating bodies hidden inside their reed-boats. :-) That is a relatively new technology, as you might guess.

]]> By: Johnny Cat http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/25/living-on-floating-islands/comment-page-1/#comment-1415508 Johnny Cat Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:47:58 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=22288#comment-1415508 Excellent and fun, thanks! Excellent and fun, thanks!

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