Collana Corazón is a tiny, manmade island on Lake Titicaca, made out of the very reeds that grow in the lake. The reeds, called totora, serve as land, shelter, and even a source of nutrition for the families that have made their lives on these islands for generations. When our boat arrived, we were greeted by families eager to share their way of life with us—the children especially! They toured us around the island, shared handicrafts with us, and taught us one more secret of totora—that it makes a great landing pad during one of their favorite games, jumping off the reed roof of a structure onto the floating totora below! 

Teresa DelfÍn
Whittier College

Peru | Natural History, Cultural Studies, and Adventure Learning