Magical Machu Picchu
If 15th century Inca emperor Pachacuti and his wife Mama Anawarkhi were alive today I wonder what they would say to the forty busloads of visitors checking out their mountaintop retreat at Machu Picchu every morning. Perhaps “If you replaced the roofs on the buildings, the area would stay cooler and you wouldn’t need to carry all that water around in those colorful little bottles.” Or maybe “Whatever happened to the corn fields we planted here a few hundred years ago?”
Life hasn’t changed much in the past half millennium or so for some residents of Machu Picchu. Andean swallows still dart in and out of the ruins all day munching on the insects that follow hot blooded animals around. They like to build their nests in gaps between the stone walls outside the Temple of the Condor. Llamas still graze on vegetation along the rugged mountainside trails, just as they have for the past five centuries. And lizards still sneak around in the bushes.
The Andean mountains of Peru are perfect for travelers who prefer to spend extra time soaking up the ambiance of local communities. Cusco is surrounded by archaeological wonders. Traditional songs and dances highlight the town’s many festivals. Cusco also has a number of places to shop for scarves, sweaters and other wool clothes. The cuisine is varied, affordable and exquisite. I enjoyed the pisco sours, avocado salads, alpaca steaks and ceviche. Muy bien.
The quaint little town of Ollantaytambo is worth an extended visit, as are the hot springs at Aguas Calientes and the Baños del Inca at Cajamarca. Every day is a new adventure in Peru.
January 24th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
GR8 Info, what are other good sites to confirm this info?