Machu Picchu

If you are not framiliar with my sarcastic side... welcome.

I was very tempted to skip the most famous attraction of all of South America, Machu Picchu, even before I left for my trip because of my serious distaste for touristy places. Despite my sceptism, everyone said I HAD to go. So even though it is the end of my trip, I am tired of tourism, tired of running here, running there, and tired of ignoring the inner need for peace and quite, I buy a ticket. I can’t miss an old pile of stones swarming with tourists. That would be a tragedy. (oh the shock!)

I walk into the train station and practically start laughing out loud. Disneyland here I come!! It is chilly out and I find a bit of sunlight to sit in away from the crowds. I am also happy to get away from the pestering sales people. I bought enough brightly colored blankets and hats a couple years ago in Ecuador. After only 2 minutes of peace, a huge group of French tourists come swarming over to my peaceful little spot in the sun. In no time there are cameras smacking me in the face and people are standing directly in front of where I am sitting. I love 60 year old French behind in my face!! Along with the tourists come the sales people. Comprame, amiga! Comprame! (Buy from me, friend, buy from me!) I am too stubborn to move (I was here first damnit!) and just wait until they move onto their train.

Toot Toot! All aboard! Welcome to the wildest, craziest ride in the west! As I climb onto the train I am having flashbacks of Thunder Mountain, a roller coaster train ride at Disneyland. Something about mobs of tourists surrounded by souvenirs and boarding a train reminds me of my childhood. I am usually disturbed when real life reminds me of Disneyland, seems like Disneyland should remind me of the real thing. Ahhh, the beauty of growing up in Orange County and having an annual pass to the happiest place on earth.

Toot toot! We were off. Look ma, no hands! Weeee! The donkeys moved so realistically on the side of the ride, plugged into a fence by a rope tied around the neck. OOOOO look- Peruvians… flash flash. Their costumes are soooo realistic! Just like the pirates from the Pirates of the Caribbean! And a tunnel!! A moment of darkness, I feel like I am on the submarine ride submerging into the depths, just no bubbles. Great Scott! What’s that? Could it be? Could there really be mermaids in Machu Picchu? They were so careful with the vegetation on this ride, they even corresponded it with the elevation- drier plants in the higher altitudes and more tropical in the lower altitudes! They could work on the weeds, though.

We arrived to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu and exited the train like a herd of cattle. As soon as I stepped onto solid ground, mobs of sales people came over to sell, sell, sell- water, hats, blankets, stupid little dolls, and of course hostel rooms. Luckily I had already booked a room and I was guided to my hostel, through a round about way through the middle of a market.

That afternoon I went to some hot springs from which the town of Aguas Calientes gets its name and met two awesome chicas (girls) that completely made my day. We went out for vegetarian curry that night and had a blast. I wish I could gather up all the cool people from this trip and take them home with me. :)

The next morning I boarded the bus at 6 am and headed up the windy road with hundreds of other people to see the infamous Machu Picchu. I sat next to Diana, an over zealous woman from Holand who had been to 91 countries (does Machu Picchu really count for visiting Peru?). I couldnt believe how much a person could talk at 6 in the morning! Ahhhh! We finally got to the top of the hill and started accending the stairs to the site. Wow. It really is breath taking to see the sun rise over the tall, green peaks to kiss the ancient walls of the Incas. After waiting for the little old lady to catch up, our bilangual guide told us about the history of this sacred site. Despite the masses of people it remained earily quiet and admitadly peaceful. The site itself is kept up very well by the hundreds of workers who clean and restore the walls. At the end of tour we were released. I wanted to climb the mountain adjacent to Machu Picchu to get a better view of the place. After a steep and grewling 30 min. up hundreds of stone steps, I reached the top of Waina Picchu. Ah, what a view. I found a rock to sit on and contemplate the world of the Incas. 15 min. later, Diana popped up to my peaceful little rock and blab blab blab!! She was sweet and meant well, but I still wanted to throw her off the cliff! I know, evil.

I sat there and tried to take in the experience. Was it worth it? Was it worth the $150 I paid for my all trip? No way. Am I glad I did it?

yeah, I admit it, it was pretty cool.

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