It promised to be a long day, but honestly, much of it was riding around - not using any of my own brain space.
By 6 am, I was really awake. Excited to be headed to Machu Picchu today and to be ticking off a "bucket list" item of almost 10 years.
Machu Picchu: I never took for granted I would actually get here, given my challenges with altitude sickness. I was wrong (as is often the case) mainly because I was ignorant. Even without the drugs for AMS, it's possible to fly to Cusco and make tracks for the Sacred Valley pretty quickly, thereby avoiding even 11,000 foot elevation. From Ollantaytamba you can take a train to Aguas Caliente and then a shuttle bus to Machu Picchu at less than 9,000'.
Of course, the route we took was the greatest adventure, the slowest route, the highest altitude and in my humble opinion, the most rewarding. MY journey is the best simply because it's my journey!
As we walked through the entrance before 8 am, I felt psyched and so fortunate and happy beyond words. The sun was shining, Like, really shining! Barely a cloud in the sky, warm with a wee breeze. Quite the opposite of camping life on the Salkantay Trail a few days earlier, when dampness, mud and cold were ever present.
Machu Picchu was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham, a 34 year old American, in 1911 after hundreds of years of abandonment and overgrowth. Like many such discoveries, he thought he had found something else... another ruins that had evaded explorers for years. Even the Spanish had not found Machu Picchu when they were on their conquering spree. That made it all the more special, as the pagan temples and artifacts were un-pilaged or destroyed.
It's breathtaking. But I had heard it would be. The trouble with descriptions is they don't prepare you for what you feel, only what you see. Machu Picchu is perched upon a steep mountain. Terraces and architecture/engineering that defies explanation (unless you subscribe to the alien theory) have helped preserve it from earthquake, landslide and erosion damage. It has an energy to it that is hard to describe. Peaceful... strong and confident, organized and artistic, majestic... exclusive... timeless.
This site was most likely a summer residence for the Royals/ruling family and they probably only spent weeks or a few months a year, here. But without written language and a recorded history, we just don't know much for sure.
The complex is divided into sectors - temple, royal living, commoner or worker living area, industrial, educational, agricultural and a type of "main square" or plaza for viewing parades and ceremonies etc.
<200 skeletons were found here, but it had to have taken 50,000-60,000 workers about 100 years o construct this place by quarrying, chiseling, moving giant stones into place. They literally went home to their villages, to die.
Alex lead us on a tour of Machu Picchu and the Inca Bridge. He is an encyclopedia. His 20+ years of experience and learning about this stuff is immense and what he "downloads" to us, includes what is known and what is currently speculated to be true. There was purpose and planning to his tour. We often had quieter spots and took advantage of them for stories, jokes and photos. Llamas and chinchilas popped up with perfect timing too!
I couldn't have been happier with my time at Machu Picchu! The day was only made more complete by a spicy trout ceviche lunch overlooking the river and a train ride - which is one of my favorite things.
Peru Rail to Ollantaytamba was a chance to put our feet up and enjoy on-board coffee and snacks. The bonus was a fashion show by the crew and some crazy costume and dancing that only a video does justice to.
90 minutes later we disembarked and our driver, Carlos, was waiting to whisk us back to Cusco. Normally I'd be feeling like I want a shorter car ride, but that would signify the end of my blissful day and the departure of Kelli.
"That's what friends are for" song is playing on the radio as we arrive back into Cusco city.
"...Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That's what friends are for... "
Safe travels, my friend. See you back in Boulder next week. :-(
We'll eat the Rainbow Cake and think of you!
By 6 am, I was really awake. Excited to be headed to Machu Picchu today and to be ticking off a "bucket list" item of almost 10 years.
Machu Picchu: I never took for granted I would actually get here, given my challenges with altitude sickness. I was wrong (as is often the case) mainly because I was ignorant. Even without the drugs for AMS, it's possible to fly to Cusco and make tracks for the Sacred Valley pretty quickly, thereby avoiding even 11,000 foot elevation. From Ollantaytamba you can take a train to Aguas Caliente and then a shuttle bus to Machu Picchu at less than 9,000'.
Of course, the route we took was the greatest adventure, the slowest route, the highest altitude and in my humble opinion, the most rewarding. MY journey is the best simply because it's my journey!
As we walked through the entrance before 8 am, I felt psyched and so fortunate and happy beyond words. The sun was shining, Like, really shining! Barely a cloud in the sky, warm with a wee breeze. Quite the opposite of camping life on the Salkantay Trail a few days earlier, when dampness, mud and cold were ever present.
Machu Picchu was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham, a 34 year old American, in 1911 after hundreds of years of abandonment and overgrowth. Like many such discoveries, he thought he had found something else... another ruins that had evaded explorers for years. Even the Spanish had not found Machu Picchu when they were on their conquering spree. That made it all the more special, as the pagan temples and artifacts were un-pilaged or destroyed.
 |
| Next terrace down; tourist with a picnic! This llama was making plans... |
This site was most likely a summer residence for the Royals/ruling family and they probably only spent weeks or a few months a year, here. But without written language and a recorded history, we just don't know much for sure.
The complex is divided into sectors - temple, royal living, commoner or worker living area, industrial, educational, agricultural and a type of "main square" or plaza for viewing parades and ceremonies etc.
<200 skeletons were found here, but it had to have taken 50,000-60,000 workers about 100 years o construct this place by quarrying, chiseling, moving giant stones into place. They literally went home to their villages, to die.
Alex lead us on a tour of Machu Picchu and the Inca Bridge. He is an encyclopedia. His 20+ years of experience and learning about this stuff is immense and what he "downloads" to us, includes what is known and what is currently speculated to be true. There was purpose and planning to his tour. We often had quieter spots and took advantage of them for stories, jokes and photos. Llamas and chinchilas popped up with perfect timing too!
 |
| The Inca Bridge. How Machu Picchu could have been infiltrated, if removing the wooden bridge planks was not possible. |
Peru Rail to Ollantaytamba was a chance to put our feet up and enjoy on-board coffee and snacks. The bonus was a fashion show by the crew and some crazy costume and dancing that only a video does justice to.
90 minutes later we disembarked and our driver, Carlos, was waiting to whisk us back to Cusco. Normally I'd be feeling like I want a shorter car ride, but that would signify the end of my blissful day and the departure of Kelli.
"That's what friends are for" song is playing on the radio as we arrive back into Cusco city.
"...Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That's what friends are for... "
Safe travels, my friend. See you back in Boulder next week. :-(
We'll eat the Rainbow Cake and think of you!
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