Machu Picchu
Train ride to Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
I left the hostel at 4am and set out for my connection to Aguas Calientes. Still early, I could see the gangs of Peruvian dogs making their way to hill to gather at the garbage spot. Most of Cusco appears very clean but that seem to have been undone once the dogs found the trash bags.
I fell asleep a few times for a few minutes, each time, the sun brightened the view. My head dipped with the potholes and when I opened my eyes, I was at the base, at the middle of a mountainous bowl. I could not sleep again. Faces carved into the mountains were looking at me, some smiling, some serious. I later learned that it is an Incan belief that there are the faces of tribal people nested into the nature of the mountains.
Upon my arrival to the Ollantaytambo train station, I stood in amazement. Like a tiny, tropical spec, I stood at the base of fog covered mountains. To my right, I could spot buildings that looked like temples etched into the mountains - no glass windows or fancy doors, just temple or home. To my left, the bustling tourists.
My day had just began.
*Train photos were taken while the train was moving.
Machu Picchu
As a child, I grew up knowing about the book, "The Celestine Prophecy," a controversial book about Peru being a place of great energies. From this exposure, I did my own readings and learned that it is in fact, an energy centre of the planet. Some may say Machu Picchu is the main centre, due to the sun clock, while others may say it is located at Lake Titicaca. Since my visit, I can say the energies of Peru is special and apparent in the people and the nature.
The Incan people performed their rituals - like any other ancient people did. It is fascinating to see how civilisations from different parts of the world all knew or practised similar rituals.
*
The walk up hill.
I am an avid hiker in Trinidad. I decided I would walk up to Machu Picchu. I meshed with two men the morning of my visit. At first, I lost them, I was ahead.
Then, the altitude got me GOOD!
I could not breathe.
My heart felt as if it were touching my skin.
My fitness level did not matter.
My new friends were ahead of me, as they had been in Peru longer than I. Yet, travelling shows the kindness in people. The pair waited on me, one of them even helped me by carrying my jackets - which I most definitely needed during the tour!
When I got to the top, where the busses arrived, my hair was wet. I did not realize that I had climbed through a few clouds to get to where I was standing. This made almost collapsing worth it!
Thus is life.
As a child, I grew up knowing about the book, "The Celestine Prophecy," a controversial book about Peru being a place of great energies. From this exposure, I did my own readings and learned that it is in fact, an energy centre of the planet. Some may say Machu Picchu is the main centre, due to the sun clock, while others may say it is located at Lake Titicaca. Since my visit, I can say the energies of Peru is special and apparent in the people and the nature.
The Incan people performed their rituals - like any other ancient people did. It is fascinating to see how civilisations from different parts of the world all knew or practised similar rituals.
*
The walk up hill.
I am an avid hiker in Trinidad. I decided I would walk up to Machu Picchu. I meshed with two men the morning of my visit. At first, I lost them, I was ahead.
Then, the altitude got me GOOD!
I could not breathe.
My heart felt as if it were touching my skin.
My fitness level did not matter.
My new friends were ahead of me, as they had been in Peru longer than I. Yet, travelling shows the kindness in people. The pair waited on me, one of them even helped me by carrying my jackets - which I most definitely needed during the tour!
When I got to the top, where the busses arrived, my hair was wet. I did not realize that I had climbed through a few clouds to get to where I was standing. This made almost collapsing worth it!
Thus is life.
Sun clock
*
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