Day 16 Machu Picchu, Peru

Early this morning I got a ride to the bus station where I boarded my bus for a two hour trip to Ollantaytambo where I would catch the train to take me on another two hour ride to the base of the mountain on top of which rests the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu.  Off the train and on to another bus for a half hour ride up the mountain.  I was finally there!  Machu Picchu.

The ruins are a constructed at the top of the mountain.  There are other mountains that rise sharply around it and provide something of a crown that rings the site.  The area of the ruins is large and  steep encompassing the angled hillsides.  It is impossible to view the entire site at one time due to the topography.  Scholars estimate that about 500 people lived here.  The society must have been very well developed to allow such effort to be expended in building the walls, terraces and buildings.  Someone had to provide the food and other necessities while the builders plied their craft. 

The builders used rock from the mountain to build the improvements so they did not have to transport the materials over long distances as was the case in Cusco.  Many of the existing stones that make up the mountain were used where they stood, incorporating them directly into the improvements.  Two things came to mind as I walked among the ruins.  First the scope of the project is hard to comprehend.  The vast quantities of time, effort, materials and planning that had to be invested to make a project of this size a reality is overwhelming, especially when adjusted for the time period and technology of the builders.  Secondly, the craftsmanship of the builders is astounding.  The fit of the rocks and the artistry of the builders is evident even to the least sophisticated eye.  Clearly, only construction of the highest quality would stand the test of time in this highly active geological area of the world.  

All of the amazement over the construction aside, they also incorporated astrological features that can be seen on the change of seasons.  The sun  shines through various apertures on the equinox signifying the arrival of a new season.  

I had to chuckle when I learned that the “discoverer”, Hiram Bingham, was looking for another ancient city when a local farmer took him to these ruins.  Naturally, he took credit for the discovery.  

One of the nice things about coming to Machu Picchu is that it is about 3,000 feet below Cusco so the air is a bit richer in oxygen.   This certainly helped when hiking up through the ruins.  I was there in the rainy season and true to form it rained about half of the time I was there.  Fog from the river and mountains continually swirls in the valleys and hillsides which sometimes completely obscured the surrounding mountains that are only hundred yards away. 

In summary, it was a great experience to be able to visit this very special place.  It is truly one of the wonders of the world.  I can’t help but think of all the people who spent their lives in the construction and how privileged I am to be able to visit it and return to the comforts of our cruise ship.