Been schleping through rural Peru for a few days, but came across an Internet cafe on the plaza of Urubamba, population 2,000. Had to wrestle the use of a the computer from some eight-year old online video game addicts, but here I am...
Anyway, tiny towns are always nice. You really get a flavor for a country and you see less tourists. So after Machu Picchu, (stunning, and more on that in a minute) decided to stay in the countryside. I had to walk an hour to get to this computer...but it´s so worth it. After $5 a night hostels, with shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and cold showers, I´m putting down $20 for my own room (more like a cabin), a bath room and hot water. Yes!!!! It´s a little place in the middle of nowhere with a German and Chilean owners. Very sweet. A little sheep baaaed in my ear as I sat in a hammock this morning. Now that´s life.
The past few days have been hectic, but great. Getting to Machu Picchu before the sun comes up (best time to see it, of course) invovles a 4 am bus the day before, and a 4 am wake up the day of the trip. No complaining here, of course, because it was soooooo worth it. I´m dying to upload more photos, because you really have to see the place... Hiked straight up above the ruins for one of the hardest hikes I´ve done in years. But worth it. The view from above was stunning. Stunning. Met all kinds of Europeans and others. Good thing was, everyone but the Swiss were huffing and puffing, so didn´t feel so out of place. The wierd thing was the thousands of people everywhere, although I shouldn´t be suprised. And now that it´s one of the Seven World Wonders, I assume the crowds will get bigger.
Turns out the Peruvians sold the train that goes to the ruins to the Germans or English, depending on who you ask. So while I was thinking the now very expensive train ride (and the main way to get to the mountain) was helping the local economy, now I´m not sure. But was amazing to ride through the country and finally get to Machu Picchu. I´ve got to hand it to the Incas. They must have been among the smartest cultures, the way they harnessed water and knew the best places to store foodstuffs, etc. Really amazing and I´m still learning alot about them.
After that, stopped over in another 3,000 population town, Ollantaytambo. Turns out to be one of the only places the Spanish didn´t conquer, because the Incas built this town up high. When the Spanish came, the Incas turned out their water irrigation system above the city, flooding out the Spanish and their horses...Ha. I should say that although the ruins we´re totally destroyed, the sun temple and other religious places weren´t totally finished when the Spanish came, as the Incas were 40 years into an 80 construction plan...
Have met many new friends, tried many new things, including of course, Inca Kola. It´s like a sweet, carbonated lemonade with caffiene. Not horrible, but I won´t be bringing any home in my suitcase. Also swigged coca tea. Smells like pot and makes you feel good, but customs won´t be allowing that in my baggage, either...
Overall, I´m so glad I did this trip. This is an amazing part of the world with some fascinating history...
I´ll write more when I can, probably from Lima on my way back.
Ciao,
Kate
