Amantaní party night

The people of Amantaní really are a great bunch. Each night, they throw a party for their gringo guests, complete with live music, traditional folk dancing, and family-size beverages. After dinner with our island family tonight, we were taken across the island (in the pitch dark) to the local hall, and partook in one of these nightly celebrations. If they really do this every night, then I have no idea how they keep it up: 'cause they sure do put on a good show.

The Amantaní crew: they will rock you.

Before we left for the party, our host families got us all dressed up in "traditional island garb". For the boys, we had to each don a big, baggy woollen poncho, as well as an over-the-ears Inca-style beanie.

Not that it looks silly or anything.

For the ladies, it was a bit more elaborate. Also a big 'ol over-the-ears beanie; but on top of that, a colourful blouse, and a really big, puffed-up skirt. For all of us, it got real hot real quick on the dance floor.

Sophs and friend, absolutely ecstatic to be in their traditional island garb.

The party was pretty lively. Once the music got started, the local women started dancing in a big circle, and they (literally) dragged all of us gringos out of our seats, and invited us to join in with them. The circle dancing was pretty easy for me, because apart from the titanic arm-swinging that was involved, it was pretty much the same as the Jewish folk dancing that I've been doing at weddings and barmitzvahs (and Simchat Torahs!) for my whole life.

After the circle dancing, we got into some partner dancing with the local ladies. Some of the local girls were a bit lacking in energy and enthusiasm; but others were prancing us around the room, rapidly making us tired and sweaty beneath our elephantine woollen garb. Personally, I didn't mind: it was the best fun I've had in yonks; and once I got into it, I couldn't stop!

Getting into the dance scene on Amantaní.