Good morning!  At Tiwanaku, we need to wake up very early, usually before the sun rises.  Up on the altiplano, the altitude is very high, so it can get very cold at night even in the summer.  Our small houses are kept at a comfortable temperature by indoor hearths at night.  We use alpaca or llama dung as fuel. Do not fear: there is actually very little odor from their dung. Next to the hearths are pots and cups for water in case we get thirsty during the night.  We also keep chamber pots either inside or right outside the entrance so we do not need to walk far in the pitch dark cold.  Sometimes, when it is not too cold outside during the night in the summer, we can go outside to relieve ourselves on moonlit nights.
For information about how our houses are built, click here.

            I enjoy moonless nights more because then I can see the celestial river (known as the Milky Way in your language) blaze across the sky.  Unlike the constellations in your culture, our culture's constellations are the dark spots in the Milky Way.  We see animals and hunters in the dark shapes.There are many stories behind the constellations, and I love hearing them all!
      
Our beds are made from totora reeds, which are quite comfortable and warm when piled up.  Our blankets are made from alpaca or llama wool. 
           
Waking up can sometimes be the most difficult part of the day, but if work is not done, our household cannot function. 
           
When we open the door, we can see the beautiful sunrise and the distant mountains.  It's a beautiful start of the day!  Let us show you around our home

For more information on houses, click here.

Text by Di