Vale la Pena (worth the pain)

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Day 1 in Machu Picchu

So today began with my much anticipated trip to Machu Picchu, one of the most seculded Incan cities. I awoke at 430am to get ready, eat, pack up my bag and get to the train station for a 6am train. The train was way more confortable than i thought it would be. I actually met a pretty cool professor from Ft. Lauderdale. She and her hubbie run tours for pharamacology students living doing medicinal studies in the amazon. very interesting stuff.

I arrived at Machu Picchu at about 9am and was just struck dumb by the views. It is completely unreal that people built this place with their hands. The pictures speak for themselves.

I will be heading back tomorrow to tour the ruins some more and just relax and take in the sights, then Im off on a 2pm train back to ollantaytambo.

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Photos

Starting the trip
here is the train i took out to machu picchu. comfy actually. check out those mountains

View from Entrance
wow, breath taking...i really took this pic...i totally didnt poach it from a travel brochure. oh, and see that big mountain in the background. climbed it...pictures below

cant escape naked fat men
couldnt believe this fella was just chillin like this in the ruins...you seem him, right

Stairs?? yikes
climbed to the top of wayanpicchu on stairs like this...and

stairs like this
gruelling

View from the top
it was really unreal how high up this was. look how small machu picchu looks from up there.

proof
here is some proof that i actually climbed it for any doubters...i know you are out there.

a window with a view
view from one of the tres ventanas

sun setting on machu picchu
before leaving, the sun was beginning to set over the ruins.

Comments

[MOM]

so picturesque
Yes, sure was a gorgeous pic of sunset going down over the mountain, and the bird flying through was a nice touch. I told him not to tell you but I told him to keep out of sight while keeping an eye on you! The colors of the train look great with the lighting of the sunrise and the mountain in the back. Sure must look much, much better in person. So jealous! xoxo

[gramma]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are just amazing. Absolutely beautiful. The sunset is just gorgeous. Glad that you had such a marvelous day. I believed that you climbed up there. and whats wrong with little fat men naked with pants on. They all get that way eventually. Love ya. Gram

[Amanda]

stairs, schmairs
I am totally jealous. BTW, while you were climbing those wimpy handmade rock stairs on the mountain, I was conquering a much more difficult stair case at International Plaza. :) hee hee. The pics are AMAZING!!! Keep 'em coming.

[Beth]

Wow!
Absolutely amazing! Those pictures are so beautiful. The hike looked grueling but worth it! If you head up North this summer you have to bring all your pictures! I'm so jealous. You look great by the way!!!

[jiji]

absolutely breathtaking
you are so fortunate to have seen this awesome place for yourself. word.

[MsD]

Idiotas
We are both such dolts...we should have taken the escalators!! Duh!

[Koby]

I'm sOo behind....
My stupid email box was putting your blogs into my spam box! This is not spam! This is awesome stuff! Don't worry, I let my emailbox have it. :oP Playing catch up now on all the bloggie blogs.