Machu Picchu

Peru - July 6:

Machu Picchu, 6:30 am

Today we awoke at the ungodly hour of 4:15 so we can get breakfast at our hostel at 4:30 and be in line at the bus station by 5am in hopes of getting a seat on one of the first buses headed for Machu Picchu.  We are trying to arrive at the top of the mountain so we can see the sunrise over the ruins.  Our plan works for the most part, but we are definitely not alone in the line.  The benefit to getting there this early is that most of the day-trippers from Cusco arrive around 9am, so the site is much less crowded at the early morning hours.  In addition, we have tickets to climb the Machu Picchu Mountain which offers the best views over the top of the ruins, but this view comes at a price…..we have to hike for two hours straight up!   

Llama Eye

View from the ruins

We arrive and get our food packed away in a locker and make our way to the entrance.   It is breaktaking, awe inspiring,  amazing (insert your own superlative here)…..but, we really have no idea what we are looking at or the meaning of the structures, etc.  We have had numerous offers to hire a guide, but since we plan to climb the mountain first, we postpone committing to one.  We walk around taking pictures for about 45 minutes when we decide it is time to tackle the climb upward.  Paulie has opted to forgo the climb as his knee is bothering him, so we make a plan to meet up in about 4 hours.  Annie, Sam, Hudson and I head off toward the mountain entrance.  I’m already winded which does not bode well for the rest of the trek.  We check in at the guard gate and have to list our names, ages and the time we check in so they can verify that everyone is off the mountain by 2pm.  Well, this may be my undoing…..The kids are terribly kind and patient as it takes me twice as long as them to get there.  This

View from the top - Elevation 9,000 ft

is a true test of endurance.  Given the altitude and the degree of difficulty, I’m not sure I will make it to the top, but they keep me motivated.  Two hours later we  ascend to the most awesome view…..it brings tears to my eyes. To look out over the beautiful mountains and to feel the sense of permanence and purpose here…..it is a beautiful reminder that we are but a speck of sand in the universe. Putting everything in perspective (so to speak). We linger long enough to catch our breath and take some photos as reminders of our amazing feat….unfortunately, we are only half way done as we still have to descend the mountain.  We make our way down which is not as easy as it might sound…..very difficult, but more mentally than physically.  The steps are very narrow and steep so you have to make sure of your footing before moving downward.  There are some spots where there is a sheer cliff 9,000 feet downward, but others where there is shade and jungle cover.  By the time we get to the bottom, I can barely walk.  We are tired and thirsty and completely depleted and I’m not sure that I can make it to the bathroom.  We meet up with Paulie and feeling like I have found an oasis in the desert, almost inhale a Gatorade.  Somewhat restored after replenishing our fluids,   Paulie has spent the last four hours checking them out and Hudson is just plain pooped so they opt to return to Aquas Caliente.  Annie, Sam and I decide to hire a guide to tour the Machu Picchu ruins.We hire a private guide named Alain and he speaks very good English.  After negotiating with him to take a group of three, he agrees and we are off.  He is so informative and we find a shady spot where he gives us a lot of the pre-history of the Incas and what this place meant to them.  We walk through the ruins as he points out some of the more spectacular buildings and the impressive stone masonry of the Incas.  We tour for about two hours and then we are all spent, so we conclude our tour and return to the hotel…..limping all the way.  I don’t think I have ever been so physically exhausted.  After showering, I try to nap, but am too wide awake.  We all regroup for dinner and find a restaurant right around the corner.  We call it an early evening and head to our rooms to rest our weary bones.