Part Two MachuPicchu

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It is days later, and whenever I meet travelers we continue to share stories of our impressions of Machu Picchu. A lady from Argentina sat at my breakfast table and with her few words of English and my fewer words of Spanish we managed to commune about visiting this world wonder. She had read about it and been there when she was a child, but this time, she was moved to tears when she got up there. I met some people from Austria and they were going tomorrow. Everyone admits that you haven´t visited Peru unless you make that pilgrimage up to MachuPicchu.
This series of photos are of the settlement. The rain that came near the end of my tour sent most of us under thatched rooves. When it eased I worked my way back to the bus area. There was a lot of interesting spots, with stones that seemed to have special meaning. Unfortunately there were no English-speaking tour guides giving their lectures nearby. Oh, well, I guess I should do some research. It did not take anything away standing there in ignorance.
When I got back to the bus area I had pizza and quiche in an outdoor cafe and shared it with a stray dog.
If I was to give any advice about visiting MachuPicchu, I would suggest trekking up that hill alone, or in a small group and then take time to wander off alone. If you book a tour guide or go up in a large tour group, I think you miss the spirit of the place. If you are curious about anything, it is very easy to cosy up to a tour group in English and listen to the lecture. Many of the tour guides are good entertainers. One of the best lines I heard when near the guardhouse was: ´welcome to my office´ Once you hear the info about that particular spot, you are free to wander off. Otherwise you are urged to keep up and stay with the group. I guess the perk about group tours is that you can gasp and talk about your awe and share phototaking. I prefer to be free to take in what I want. Often you can chat with English speakers as you pass by. A few minutes to share geography and thoughts about the site, and you are off to the next great spot.

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Photos

Sit and Feel
Take the time to muse about the wonder of it all. Also, catch gasping breathe from walking uphill

Meditation
Many people were soaking in the vibes.

Whistle
The park guides blow whistles when tourists climb on things they are not suppose to. I jumped over to this ledge, and I think I wasn´t spotted.

Downwards
o.k., o.k. I finally walked down to settlement

Door
I had to wait over five minutes for the moment when there were no tourists taking thier photos here.

Clouds
Rain clouds were crawling up close. Soon there was rain.

Houses
Imagine thatched rooves, animals and ancient Incas here.

Building
I will read a book about the layout soon.

Map
You get a map with suggested routes when you enter the park.

Walkway
Streets between buildings.

Mountains
It must have been wonderful living here, with the mountains as your neighbours.

Short doors
I had to duck a bit to enter some doorways

Flowers
Trying for that artsy shot

Rain
Heavy rains sent us inside thatched buildings.

Wet
It was tricky walking along wet stones

Mood
Clouds and rain added to the mood of the place

Stone
Some buildings were build around bedrock.

View
Every few steps and turns took me to another view I wanted to photograph

Tourists
I think this was the group from Japan. When the rains came, tourguides talked faster.

Steps
These must have been cut from the bedrock

Roof Needed
I wonder if the park authorities will add more thatched rooves?

Comments

[Matt Corkum]

Jealous!
Teresa, I'm very envious of your trip, but especially this one to MachuPicchu. It's a place that's on the top of my list for places to visit. :)