When we returned from Machu Picchu, Cuzco was in the middle of celebrations of Corpus Christy. Thirteen saints were represented in a large procession that filled the Plaza de las Armas with both participants and onlookers. A big market was held close by and there was lots of food and drinks in the streets. It was May 30, the day of Jitka's birthday and the last day for Marguerite. We made our own small celebration. The next day, on Friday, we parted. Marguerite left by a plane for Lima and we headed up to the altiplano, to Puno, a city on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Puno is inhabited mostly by highland Indians. It is surrounded by hills on all sides, except the bay side of the lake. From the city we visited Sillustani, a burial side for one of the pre-Inca nations. They used to bury their royalty in so called Chulpas (about 10m high stone structures) which were supposed to be a take-off place for a journey to the next world. Yearly ceremonies including the buried bodies were held at the side. Apart of the cultural heritage, the side offers yet again beautiful views of the Andean altiplano.