Machu Picchu
Self-explanatory….
Inca Citadel in the clouds
The fog shifted, and previously obscured areas became visible as others were once again covered. For the next hour, our guide escorted us through the various areas of the ruins, explaining the likely uses for the different structures within the ruins. I am no expert on Machu Picchu, and will not attempt to explain what the various purposes of the buildings were, instead I will direct you to the UNESCO page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274 and a National Geographic article http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/machu-picchu/
Life isn’t a ‘bucket list’ and Machu Picchu isn’t a destination to ‘scratch off’ a shopping list
Engineering feat
The site includes three primary structures, the Intihuatana (a ritual stone associated with the astronomic clock or calendar of the Incas), the Temple of the Sun, and The Room of the Three Windows. Nearly 200 buildings were constructed on the site, which overlooks traditional terraces constructed for agricultural purposes. We have all seen the pictures of this magnificent site, and here I was, finally, nearly 15 years after my first trip to Peru, and my missed opportunity to visit the site at that time. It is difficult to describe what I thought or felt. For some I suppose it is neigh on a religious experience (although I certainly can’t understand how ‘in touch with ones inner self’ you’d have to be to be violently moved by the experience a la Margery Kempe.) For others I suppose that it is just one more ‘thing’ to tick off their ‘bucket list’ to which I would say life isn’t a bucket list, you don’t check off things like a grocery list – been there done that – plus, adding things to a bucket list means you won’t get around to doing it because life is too short; just go! I guess in the final analysis, we all take something different away from the places we visit, the people we meet and the experiences we have. I was amazed by the beauty of the location and the site; impressed by the engineering skills of the builders of this citadel, and reminded that for all our much vaunted technological superiority in the 21st century, still can’t explain some things found at Machu Picchu.
The birds do it, the bees do it, even the fish in the sea do it, so why not the Llamas of MP doing it?
Taking the time to enjoy the moment
As the morning wore on, the sun finally burned away more of the fog, and more areas became visible. More buses arrived, and more tourists traipsed around the ruins. Our guide thanked us and left us to explore on our own. Selfie sticks waved around in abundance, and clamours for group photos and individual pictures echoed across the ruins. Every one was trying to get that one perfect picture that makes it seem as though the entire site is devoid of anyone else except themselves. I wandered around and noticed a stream of people heading toward a path that seemed to head off toward a separate view point, but as I approached a kiosk at a small gate, realized that this trek was only meant for people who had booked a ticket nearly three months in advance – a special path to Machu Picchu Mountain. I went down the way I had come up, and took stock of my position. I could see to my left the citadel, in front a grassy area with a few Llamas, and to my right, signs to another trail and the Sun Gate. Not knowing what I would encounter on this route, I set off for the Sun Gate. A small sign a few meters further on informed me that it would likely take nearly 2 hours to reach the gate and make my return, but since I was in no hurry to leave and the train to Ollantaytambo was not leaving for another 8 hours, I set out.
View of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
There were plenty of other people walking the trail, and although in some places it was quite narrow, the surface was not too bad. Every so often I would come across people who had managed to make it to some way point or another who were debating whether or not to continue – and I must admit, after 45 minutes, I had the odd thought of turning around as well, but then again, I had made it this far, and I wasn’t about to give up, particularly when I ran across a couple of ladies who were definitely a decade or two more advanced in years than I who were talking about how wonderful the view at the top was.
Sometimes small things, even if they are cliched, are priceless
What memories are made of
After another 20 minutes, I reached the end of the trail, and turning around, was greeted with a stunning view of the citadel below. The air was cool – a good thing as I was starting to sweat profusely – and the sun was now shining brightly, with the early morning fog now totally gone. I sat for a long time enjoying the view. This was, although not in terms of altitude, a major high point of my trip. More selfie sticks were visible, but by and large, those who reached this summit simply sat quietly and soaked up the sun, drinking in the view. The sight from here is one to be treasured, and even without a picture, I can still see the ruins of the citadel of the Incas down below. It is not a site to be simply ‘crossed off’ a bucket list. With a final look around me, I stood up, and started the descent, a much easier task than the climb up. I joined the melee of people trying to locate their bus at the large parking lot for the return journey into Aguas Calientes. I took a moment to do the touristy thing, getting a stamp of Machu Picchu put into my passport. Now, every time I present the booklet to an immigration authority, I see that stamp and am reminded of a journey that started off with a mad impulse to simply get up and go, to explore, and to do the unexpected, or even the irresponsible thing, and a smile appears on my face (which throws the immigration people off), but I have a treasure of memories that many will never gather or understand.
