Guaqui, a little town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, is the terminus of the railway. A regiment of cavalry is stationed at this port, as it in reality forms the boundary line of the country. In this little place, one obtains his final glimpse of the picturesquely attired Cholo women, as they are rarely seen outside of Bolivia. In their native country, their appearance excites no unusual interest; but even in Peru they are subjected to a certain amount of ridicule, which is displeasing to these haughty belles. Because of the intense cold, school children are often seen seated in the open air, where they may enjoy the benefit of the warm sun. This applies largely to the smaller towns and villages, as in the larger cities the school houses are now quite comfortable. [Illustration: STREET ALTAR, CORPUS CHRISTI DAY, LA PAZ] Lake Titicaca is a great inland sea, lying between the two ranges of the Cordillera, and is very high above the ocean. Its area is about one-third that of Lake Erie, and its present length is about 120 miles, while its greatest width is about 41 miles. It is, without doubt, one of the highest navigable bodies of water in the world. Among the water plants that one sees growing in the lake is a sort of rush, which abounds in shallow water from two to six feet in depth, and rises several feet above the surface. It is this material which the Indians, having no wood, use to construct their boats. In these apparently frail craft, propelled by sails of the same material, they traverse the lake, carrying with them two or three men, and in addition, a heavy load of merchandise. _Balsa Boats_ There is considerable skill exercised in the making of the balsa, as these reed-boats are called. Centuries of experience have taught the Indians the process, which has been developed to a remarkable stage of perfection, enabling them to defy the storms which are so frequent. The short, heavy waves make navigation dangerous even for much larger boats than the native balsa. [Illustration: CAPITOL BUILDING IN SUCRE] Like the waters of Lake Superior, these are too cold for the swimmer; but the lack of bathing facilities gives the Indian but little concern. The greatest depth of the lake is said to be about 600 feet. Fish are plentiful, and the few Indians who live around the shores of the lake devote themselves principally to fishing. As far as habitation is concerned, other than Puno on the Peruvian side and Guaqui on the Bolivian, there are but a few scattered villages. [Illustration: OPEN-AIR SCHOOL--GUAQUI, BOLIVIA] Four steamers ply to and fro between these ports, connecting with the train service. These boats were brought from England, taken in sections by railway and put together on the shores of the lake. They are today used to transfer freight, which arrives by sea at a Peruvian or Chilean port, and is carried by rail to Puno, then across the lake to Bolivia. [Illustration: ON THE STATE ROAD FROM POTOSÍ TO SUCRE]