March 9, 2012
Machu Picchu reminded me of Peter Pan. As a child Peter Pan was all that I wanted: A fictional place called Never-Never Land, lost boys, sleeping in trees, food fights, flying, crowing, fairies and fighting pirates (I guess the whole orphan part of it never really hit me that hard). Machu Picchu hit me the same way, except it is real! At least I think it is. The clouds hung around all day, which gave the whole site the ¨"mystical experience" that Peru Rail was effectively selling. The jungle reminded me of the movie Jumanji, taking over everything at a farcical rate of speed. Unfortunately they do not hand out machetes at the gate.
The day began with a 5:00 AM wake up call with Catie and Andrea (shout out). A winding drive over the Urabamba River and up through the clouds brought us to my Never-Never Land. Huaynu Picchu was up first, this mountain is commonly recognized as the impossibly steep mountain in the background of all Machu Picchu pictures. The mountain was a holy mountain to the Inca, and had a ceremonial purpose. I found it holy in its own way- "holy shit, this is incredible." We hiked down to Temple of the Moon, and the Gran Caverna; the cloud forest was intriguing and teeming with life at every angle.
After a hardy lunch of avocado, rolls, tuna, bananas and peach juice; it was time to tackle Machu Picchu. Thanks to my dad, I was carrying the archaeological field guide to the entire site. We went ruin to ruin, all-the-while reading aloud and ever-constantly being amazed by the architects and stone masons of the Inca. I particularly found the fountains and the temple of the sun complex stunning. I constantly lost myself in one room or building, only then to look up over the valley and remember where I was. A rainbow appeared toward the end of the day. Andrea and I took the trail back down to Machu Picchu Pueblo, it was a great day. Over twelve hours in total, but not a hint of fatigue. I´ll throw up some of Andrea´s pictures when I get the chance.
