Machupicchu. That is all I need to say about today. It was the reason we all woke up at 4 in the morning and it was the reason that we all were awake enough to stumble onto a bus at 5:30 in the morning. The bus ride up the mountain was very nice. It only took about 25 or 30 minutes, but it was enough time to gather myself together and try to prepare myself for what were to experience. As we exited the bus, we all ran into the massive line that was collecting at the entrance gate, and some of us pushed our way to the counter where we got our stamp to climb Waynapicchu.
When we made our way through the entrance gate, and up some of the terraces, all of Machupicchu came into sight. It was such a beautiful thing that I have trouble finding words to describe it. I have seen so many pictures of it, being in Peru, but nothing can compare to the real thing. Whenever I saw it with Waynupicchu behind it along with the valleys surrounding it, I could understand why the Inca believed there were gods in the mountains and basically everywhere. It took my breath away seeing parts of the landscape covered with the clouds of the morning, causing it to take on some type of mysterious aura. It felt so mystifying and strange, almost as if there really were the ancient Incan gods there.
After touring Machupicchu and listening to some of the interesting facts about it from our tour guide, Evelyn, we made our way to the entrance to Waynupicchu. Upon arriving and passing through the gate, we were forced to sign out name, age, gender, etc. in a book they had. So, in case we did not come back, they knew who to look for. After seeing this and realizing how dangerous this climb would be, I made each of the 5 people with me on the trip put up their right hand, and swear to me to be safe and responsible and to come down alive. I did not want to have anyone take this lightly because I understand how strong nature can be, and if you do not respect it or if you take it lightly, you might not come out on top.
The climb, as I had imagined, was difficult. The steps to reach the top were not only very steep, basically straight up, but also carved out of the mountain and stone. At times, they were very small and others large as well as very crooked at some points along the way. Luckily, there were ropes to hold onto at certain points to help you climb, or else it would have been much, much more difficult. To oppose that point, though, was the lack of rope for a good portion of the climb. This meant that if you were not careful, you could potentially fall off the side of the trail and to your death. It was all too real of a possibility. I knew that if I was not taking this climb seriously, I might not make it back down. After about an hour and a half, we reached the ruins at the top of the mountain, but now came the challenge of VERY small steps going to the top. Literally, these stairs were no more than 6 to 8 inches long and very steep. Having someone with vertigo in our group, Kacie, made the situation a little more complex, but we assured her that we would help her up, and more importantly, back down. The view from the top was marvelous. Standing on top of the rocks there was such a liberating experience. Knowing I had made it to the top and being able to see the view and take in as much as I did was something that I will not forget easily. However, the euphoria did not last too long as we now had to make our way back down the very small steps and later, the rest of the mountain. The way down did not really take too much time after we made our way out of the ruins, and after helping Kacie calm down a little on the way back to the larger steps and ropes.
After returning to Machupicchu, I wanted to continue my adventures by finding and walking to the Sun Gate that was, supposedly, another hour walk from where we were standing. I could see the location of the Sun Gate as well as the trail that led to it, but the only problem was that I couldn't find the source of the trail. I looked along with Sarah to find it, but all we could find was the trail to the Inca Bridge. Thinking that it might lead us the trail of the Sun Gate, we followed it only to be led to a gate that did not allow us to pass any further. It was a little bit of a downer, but we were able to see more beautiful scenery as well as walk on another trail just as, or even more, dangerous as the one up Waynupicchu.
Upon arriving back to Machupicchu and, more specifically, the urban area there, we saw Cecilia and Monica literally running. We flagged them down to ask them what they were doing, but they gave us no response which led me to tail them to figure out what had happened. Apparently Kacie was coming down some stairs and began to feel lightheaded and dizzy. When she finally, and barely, reached the base of the stairs, she sat on the ground to recollect herself. Being diabetic, she took her blood sugar levels and they were dangerously low. The unfortunate fact of it all is that she did not pack well enough for the trip, and only had a couple of chocolate bars to help raise her blood sugar. She knew this would not be enough and asked if Cecilia and Monica would go get her a soda. The only problem was they had to run back down the the entrance gate to Machupicchu, out to a restaurant nearby, buy the expensive soda, and then convince two guards at the gate to allow them to enter with the soda (they only really allow water inside). After doing all of these things, they ran back to Kacie (that is when we saw them), and she quickly gulped it down. When all of that had calmed down, we all returned to the entrance to meet up with our tour guide, but we noticed that Angie was not with us. She was off drawing sketches of the landscape and the beauty that is Machupicchu, and so we all figured she was doing that and lost track of time. Both our professor and guide went in to look for her. Finally, our professor found her sitting at where we had started our tour instead of being at the entrance gate. Oh well, that is Angie for you :)
The rest of the day seemed like a blur, which was surprising because at this point in the day it was only abut 12:30 in the afternoon. We all boarded a bus back to Aguas Calientes, ate lunch at a very tasty buffet with live music from a band that just came in off of the street (I love that about Peru), and then went to the market. I didn't buy anything because I am trying to hold onto the 50 soles I have left until I can get a PIN for my credit card. Sadly, my debit card is lost and has been for about a week or so now. Sad day.
The train ride back to Ollantaytambo was actually quite fantastic. For most of the ride, I talked to Evelyn about Peru and being a tour guide and how she is learning English and French, and how she learns so much from the groups she gives tours too. I could relate to her being a tour guide because that is what I am at the University of Missouri. The things she told me made sense. Suddenly, in the middle of the train ride, music started playing and a man, dressed up in some colorful attire and a funny mask, started dancing throughout the train and puling up passengers to dance with him. After that craziness was over, the train workers then began a fashion show for us and modeled some of the traditional clothing of Peru. The male model might not have scored beauty points, but he certainly tried to work what he had...very entertaining.
When we arrived in Ollantaytambo, we boarded our van and began the drive back to Cusco. After only going for about 3 minutes or so, we were stopped by a large parade of people in the street singing and dancing and playing music for one of their many festivals. It seems like they are always celebrating or partying for something. It really was amazing to see all of their traditional dresses and their spirit through the whole thing. It was almost contagious. I wanted to exit the van and go out and party with them. Sadly, they passed by and we went on our way. Being out in the country gave me the opportunity to stare out the window and look at the stars for once in a very long time. It almost brought me to tears seeing them all, and thinking back to my boyish wonder about stars and space. Sometimes I wish I could go back to those days of innocence where the stars and space seemed like such an abstract idea that would never be understood. However, after going through Earth Science and many other science classes, I know about stars. I know how they begin, form, and die. I know about the concept of a universe and a galaxy. It seems that now, I am able to put everything into context and understand it all, but I still yearn to return back to those days when I couldn't. Those days when space seemed so untouchable and distant. I still remember looking through my little telescope I got for Christmas when I was younger at Mars and the moon wondering if there was life out there, and if we would ever find them. I took comfort in knowing that Amy was looking at the same sky and the same stars as I was. In this way, I felt connected to her. I felt almost as if we were together again, and again, I was almost brought to tears.
Peru is an amazing place, but at times, I feel so distant and removed from my family and friends. I feel almost as if I were lost and all I need is for Amy to find me and tell me everything will be okay. I know I do not have much time left here and that I will wish it wouldn't have to end, but it is just hard being away from someone you love so much and share everything with. I feel almost like I am cheating by doing all of these things and seeing everything here without her. I hope that one day, we can return here together and do all of these things over again so that I can see her eyes and face light up as it does when she is so incredibly happy. I think that is what I miss most about home.
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