I will add more later…
Lisa, Jo and I caught the local bus from Cusco to Urubamba Friday morning. We then took a collectivo to Ollantaytambo which arrived there mid morning. Jo and I went immediately to the Hearts cafe to order large mugs of good coffee and a big breakfast. Lisa chose to go to her favorite local restaurant where she could get a typical Peruvian meal. After a relaxing breakfast we walked to the train station and took the train to Pueblo Machu Picchu which is also known as Aquas Caliente because it has thermal baths located next to a small river running next to town.
Taking the train to Pueblo Machu Picchu
The train at Aquas Calientes also known as Pueblo Machu Picchu
The hostal where we had our reservations turned out to be a dismal affair. So Jo and I set off to look for another hostal while Lisa watched our bags at a cafe overlooking the small plaza. After looking at four places we decided to take a room in a hostal that had four beds and a clean bathroom with a shower with hot water (we ran the water to make sure). All for $5 per night per person. We were staying two nights so it was a good price for us.
The trip to Machu Picchu was an expensive one for all of us. It cost $70 for the roundtrip train ride, $? for the entrance ticket into Machu Picchu, $? for the bus to the entrance and we also had our food and lodging expenses.
In the late afternoon Lisa wanted to take a soak in the local hot water tubs which were located next to a small river running next to it. So the three of us hiked to the springs which were located just outside of town. Lisa and Jo changed and went into the tubs. I decided to wait in the adjacent bar and watch our things. The tubs were filled with locals and they didn’t look clean to me. Lisa and Jo stayed in them for only a short while. Then we walked back to our room.
The tubs at Aquas Calientas
On the way we looked for a restaurant where we could have dinner. Each restaurant had someone ourside talking about the food and the price. Both nights we were disappointed. We fell into bait and switch tactics which were being used all over town. We caught on and demanded to get what was promised but it left an unpleasant taste in our mouths.
After dinner we went to a very nice restaurant, ordered drinks and played Hearts for a couple of hours.
The next morning we lined up on the street next to the river at 5.30 am to catch a bus to Machu Picchu. Some people walk from A.C. up Inca steps to the site which takes from 1 to 2 hours. We decided to take the bus. We arrived at the site and entered it by walking along a narrow path until the site suddenly opened up in front of us. I saw green, many ruins, high peaks, and felt a profound energy.
My first sight of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was an incredible experience. We arrived before 6 am and hiked in the forest on Huayna Picchu in the morning up and down Inca steps with great views stopping at small ruins to rest, have a snack and even to meditate…we ended up at the Temple of the Moon then retraced our steps back to Machu Picchu.
Jo walking down Inca steps on Huayna Picchu
Close up of Inca steps on the way to the Temple of the Moon
By that time there were many tourists but not so many as I thought…but we definitely didn´t have the place to ourselves. I did get some time to connect to the site and its sacred geometry and the stones that have been resting there for so long. It is a profound and magical place and I feel that I am still reaping the rewards of my visit. It is still with me in my body, spirit and mind.
The classic view of Machu Picchu
Peru itself was a profound experience. I am still having difficulties finding the words to describe my experience…hopefully I will discover them.
For me it was astounding that there existed a society that built a place like Machu Picchu…that held in high importance the land, nature, sacred cities and buildings and all else. To know that people actually were able to do that for awhile gives me hope that it may exist again in a new way…that we can build societies that hold sacredness dear in their hearts and literally to build their lives around those principles.
