Huayna Picchu

Our second day at Machu Picchu we hiked the great mountain of Huayna Picchu, climbing up to around 8000 feet above sea level to reach the summit that overlooks the lost city of the Incas. It was scary at times as I could have easily fallen off the edge to my death at any given moment-- so it took me longer than the estimated 1 hour to ascend. The views from the top and along the way, however, were breathtaking and I could understand how so many people (400 maximum allowed every day) venture up and down the mountain despite fear of bodily injury and death!

Machu Picchu

 So here's the main reason we all came to Peru. To see the beautiful and well-preserved remains of the Inca empire. They created an intricate civilization along the slope of a mountainside! Our guide tried to convey to us just how brilliant the Incas were-- use of natural, raw material, precisely constructed walls and buildings, and brilliant architecture (complete with water distribution systems and built to withstand earthquakes) which supported a highly cultivated urban population and agricultural system. At the end of our walking tour, we climbed up to the House of the Guardians  where we had a gorgeous view of a rainbow. 

Cusco

On the second day of our trip, we flew to Cusco, known to the Incas as the "naval of the world". Millions of tourists flock to this beautiful city, as it is also the gateway to the famous Machu Picchu. The above photo was taken near the Plaza de Armas of a church built after the Spanish conquest. Cusco is over 11,000 feet above sea level and I was definitely feeling the altitude. The walk to lunch was quite difficult for me, even though the restaurant was only a short distance away from where we were staying. Nevertheless, we still toured the Incan ruins of Písac in the afternoon, guided by the nicest person I think I have ever met. Nevermind that he only spoke to us in Spanish! Wilson, who also speaks Quechua,  drove us around the Sacred Valley and guided us through the remains. I can't believe that my sister and I got by on this entire trip on our high school Spanish! 

Above is an herb called muña, which Wilson said among other uses, could also help with altitude sickness. Looking it up afterwards, it is part of the mint family and is most often used for its carminative properties. 

We also stopped by an animal sanctuary on our way to the ruins where we saw llamas, alpacas, condors, pumas, and parrots (which were featherless-- so sad). Many of the animals had suffered a lot of trauma (used for entertainment or for material for jewelry/accessories). Part of how they are able to care for the animals is funded by the arts and crafts of the Andean people in the region, who use the wool of alpacas to make fibers and textiles. They showed us how they use natural material for their dyes.

Anyhow, I was a little worried about choosing Peru as our travel destination after being in Lima. But Cusco and Písac were so beautiful-- pictures can only convey so much-- and despite our fears of walking around wheeling oxygen tanks, it turned out to be a perfect day (how often can one say that??) Now I think I left my heart there and can only hope I will be able to walk through those paths sometime again in my life.

This will probably be my last post of 2012. Best wishes to you all for a very happy new year!

Lima

First day in Peru we toured around the Colonial City of Lima and walked along the coast of the Miraflores district. My first impression of the city is that it reminded me of Manila, Philippines, where I was born. Spanish- influenced, cloudy and gritty, and obvious distinctions between economic classes. We caught a brief glimpse of pre-Incan adobe pyramid Huaca Pucllana and moved on to colonial Lima Centro. We took a walking tour of the Iglesia de San Francisco monastery and catacombs, which hold the skulls and bones of some seventy thousand people. Talk about haunting.

As I was planning out the trip, I had read that if you only have a short time in Peru, one could skip Lima altogether. Although I'm glad I got to see the city, next time (hopefully there will be a next time) I will take that advice and opt to spend more time exploring other areas of the country. Next post will be on Cusco!