When I was a young girl, eager to learn about "The world" and foreign cultures, I was captivated by a documentary on TV about the Incas in Peru.
Before they were so brutally exterminated and slaughtered by the spanish, these people had one of the highest cultures ever known.
One of their achievements are their now world famous "Inca Walls".
These are stone walls put together without mortar. They have multiple corners and they fit together so perfectly that not a pin would and could fit in between. Still today it is not known how the Incas did that as they had no tools to cut the stones.
The narrator told of the sites in and near Cuzco, especially Sacsahuaman, with it's huge stone walls. Some of these stones weigh over 300 tons and all of them fit together perfectly. In Cuzco itself there is one stone in particular that took my fancy. This stone is about 1 metre square and has 12 corners. On TV, the person explaining the site, tried to put a pin in between the stones - but try as he might - it would not go in. This fascinated me. There and then I promised myself, one day - one day, I am going to see that. (That's when the travel bug bit!)
It took a long, long time, but on my 60th birthday I had my picture taken in front of that stone in Cuzco, Peru.
But this was just the beginning of my fantastic journey. I boarded the train for Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas as it is called, and that is an adventure in itself. The train works its way into the Andes via a zig zag railway and the view of Cuzco at my feet was quite something.
When I arrived in Aguas Calientes, my case was taken to the Hotel and I boarded the Bus for Machu Picchu. It was a hair raising journey up a steep mountain with no railings or walls for safety. Going through the entry gates, turning the corner and seeing Machu Picchu before me in all its glory - I couldn't help myself - I cried.
A guide was waiting for me to explain all about the site and then I set off by myself, really exploring the ruins. Much later I found my way back to the Hotel and had a peaceful night.
I woke up at 4, eager to go up the mountain for the sunrise and when I looked out, it was raining.
Blast!
I made it back up the mountain at about 7am and how blessed can one be? The rain had stopped and the fog was slowly lifting from the site - it was utter magic.
But the best thing was yet to come, I was going to climb Huayna Picchu, which is the sugar loaf mountain seen at the back of the ruins and captured in every photograph.
The climb is not easy, but I made it. When I had nearly reached the summit, a lady coming down told me: "Not far to go now - don't be scared of the rope." A rope, what rope?
The rope you have to hang on to to climb the last 10 metres to the summit of cause!
I did make it and what a view. There were the tears again!
Coming down was not as easy as I thought, but I arrived at base camp safe and sound. Had I finished for the day? No - there was the Sungate, at the other end of the site. This is where the people arrive who hike the Inca Trek. It is about a 3 km walk from the ruins, and even though it looks very easy, it is treacherous. I did it without mishap and by about 5pm I have had enough. The reason being - I was hardly able to walk. You have to remember. I am 60 years old. Climbed the mountain - very steep - then a 6km walk and then all the other walking around I had been doing. I was bushed. On top of that, I had to walk back to my hotel - another km or so. How I did it, I do not remember. I do remember however, having a large beer on my way to the Hotel, which I enjoyed tremendously.
The next day I left Aguas Calientes. The train arrives in Cuzco about 8pm and the last hour, the zig zag down the mountain is something I will never forget. The light was turned off in the train and to the haunting tune of El Condor Pasa, played on the Pan flute, the train slowly made it's way into Cuzco. The view of the well lit town square beneath me was something to behold. What a treat!
Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Inca Walls in Sacsahuaman and my very 'special' 12 cornered stone where everything I dreamed of and expected.
Dreams do come true.
Before they were so brutally exterminated and slaughtered by the spanish, these people had one of the highest cultures ever known.
One of their achievements are their now world famous "Inca Walls".
These are stone walls put together without mortar. They have multiple corners and they fit together so perfectly that not a pin would and could fit in between. Still today it is not known how the Incas did that as they had no tools to cut the stones.
The narrator told of the sites in and near Cuzco, especially Sacsahuaman, with it's huge stone walls. Some of these stones weigh over 300 tons and all of them fit together perfectly. In Cuzco itself there is one stone in particular that took my fancy. This stone is about 1 metre square and has 12 corners. On TV, the person explaining the site, tried to put a pin in between the stones - but try as he might - it would not go in. This fascinated me. There and then I promised myself, one day - one day, I am going to see that. (That's when the travel bug bit!)
It took a long, long time, but on my 60th birthday I had my picture taken in front of that stone in Cuzco, Peru.
But this was just the beginning of my fantastic journey. I boarded the train for Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas as it is called, and that is an adventure in itself. The train works its way into the Andes via a zig zag railway and the view of Cuzco at my feet was quite something.
When I arrived in Aguas Calientes, my case was taken to the Hotel and I boarded the Bus for Machu Picchu. It was a hair raising journey up a steep mountain with no railings or walls for safety. Going through the entry gates, turning the corner and seeing Machu Picchu before me in all its glory - I couldn't help myself - I cried.
A guide was waiting for me to explain all about the site and then I set off by myself, really exploring the ruins. Much later I found my way back to the Hotel and had a peaceful night.
I woke up at 4, eager to go up the mountain for the sunrise and when I looked out, it was raining.
Blast!
I made it back up the mountain at about 7am and how blessed can one be? The rain had stopped and the fog was slowly lifting from the site - it was utter magic.
But the best thing was yet to come, I was going to climb Huayna Picchu, which is the sugar loaf mountain seen at the back of the ruins and captured in every photograph.
The climb is not easy, but I made it. When I had nearly reached the summit, a lady coming down told me: "Not far to go now - don't be scared of the rope." A rope, what rope?
The rope you have to hang on to to climb the last 10 metres to the summit of cause!
I did make it and what a view. There were the tears again!
Coming down was not as easy as I thought, but I arrived at base camp safe and sound. Had I finished for the day? No - there was the Sungate, at the other end of the site. This is where the people arrive who hike the Inca Trek. It is about a 3 km walk from the ruins, and even though it looks very easy, it is treacherous. I did it without mishap and by about 5pm I have had enough. The reason being - I was hardly able to walk. You have to remember. I am 60 years old. Climbed the mountain - very steep - then a 6km walk and then all the other walking around I had been doing. I was bushed. On top of that, I had to walk back to my hotel - another km or so. How I did it, I do not remember. I do remember however, having a large beer on my way to the Hotel, which I enjoyed tremendously.
The next day I left Aguas Calientes. The train arrives in Cuzco about 8pm and the last hour, the zig zag down the mountain is something I will never forget. The light was turned off in the train and to the haunting tune of El Condor Pasa, played on the Pan flute, the train slowly made it's way into Cuzco. The view of the well lit town square beneath me was something to behold. What a treat!
Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Inca Walls in Sacsahuaman and my very 'special' 12 cornered stone where everything I dreamed of and expected.
Dreams do come true.
No comments:
Post a Comment