Page IV- Saborear La Vida-Machu Picchu

August 6, 2013- Day 4


If there was one thing I never expected on this trip, it is to become speechless.

Words have become a part of me since we immigrated to the US and I decided to use writing as my coping mechanism.

However, writing about Machu Picchu is an absolute struggle for me. To cope with not being there, it's depressing. Writing just makes it more obvious.

Nonetheless, here is an attempt to describe this day that was nothing but glorious.

It was an early morning. And for being that early, I was extremely hyper. I normally wake up at 5:30 on a workday. This day, however, I woke up at 3am so I can take a shower since I cannot function without it. I remember having breakfast and even singing "good morning " in the bus. The rest of my tourmates are very understanding, lightly reprimanding me, saying "not yet, a little bit later".

We got on the train and that in of itself was an adventure. I thought was going to sleep and nap in it but looking out of the window was a much better use of my time. I think 100 of my photos that day had come from just being in the train.

When we arrived in Machu Picchu town, the beginnings of a beautiful day, weather wise, was apparent. We hung around for a while before getting on the bus that will take us to the entrance to Machu Picchu. After all the essential bits and the expected lag, we finally got in.

The beauty of entering Machu Picchu is that you don't see its glory just yet. You get bits and pieces, a peek here and a peek there which gives you the energy to hike up the uneven and slippery steps. I remember, once I got on that final step that will give me the first view of Machu Picchu, I gasped. Not in horror but in awe.

Perhaps, it's a combination of the hike, the anticipation, the beautiful weather but Machu Picchu was extremely gorgeous. In spite of there being tons of people exploring, it did not take away from the beauty of this wonder. I cannot believe that I stood there, in that place, at that time. I feel like I've been invited to a sacred temple, discovered an ill-kept secret.

As the day went on and we continued our walk, Elvis gave us the story of Machu Picchu. In all honesty, I was too distracted by the gorgeous view that I was barely listening. However, I do remember the part when he said that Henry Bingham found Machu Picchu with a child as a guide. They hiked for a while and Bingham was convinced that the child was merely dreaming about this place. Nonetheless, the child kept on going until he brought them here. It was the child's persistence that led Bingham to Machu Picchu.

The reason this part of the story stood out is because I remember thinking that this was what made Machu Picchu more beautiful and magical. It was the persistence, the push that a person gives to see this place. The elevation, the steps, the hike, the travel, the multitude of visitors---all this are enough to deter someone from even attempting to visit this place. My advise though, is be like the little child. All the other worries are unnecessary. Machu Picchu is one of the places that one deserves to see before they die.

The day we were there, there was a rainbow in the sky. It was such a clear day and we were told that the norm is for it to be rainy. We continued walking and when it got to the part that we can explore by ourselves, Angele and I decided to hike up to the Sun Gate. We let go of the chance to have a proper lunch, use the restroom or even get more water. We were there and we should just push forward.

The hike up to the Sun Gate was tedious. I'm not going to lie that I didn't think of giving up. Angele and I hung on to the fact that since we already started, we must go on. We were walking at the side of a mountain, with steps that are more uneven. Tourists rarely come up here since this is about 1 hour away from the main site.

 

When we got to the Sun Gate though, the view was amazing. you can see the ruins in Machu Picchu and Huayana Picchu. People might think that it is just a view but there's something about seeing it from this perspective that makes it more beautiful. A part of me wished that it was at sun rise of June 21 so I can see the sun go through the gate and hit the sun temple area in the ruins below. Imagining how the Incas figured out to construct this gate at this place for that hour was an amazing thought.

The hike down was much faster. When we got to the bottom, we got a better view of Machu Picchu since there were less people. We only took quick photos though since it's already getting close to the time we meet everyone else in Machu Picchu town.

The line to the bus was atrocious. It took 3 buses to come and go before we can finally get in one. However, we made it to the train just in time.

Funny enough, Angele and I did not sleep on the train. We only napped when we got to the bus which took us to Cusco. I had dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Mora that night. They found me as I ventured for food . (It was pretty funny when they found me walking the street by myself. The surprise on their faces.). It was a nice cap to my day.

But when I got back to my room, I checked my email that night and found an email that I was anticipating since August 5. Elvis mentioned that the rainbow meant to deliver good news. And that's what I definitely got.

I promised myself that next time, I'm hiking up to Machu Picchu and I'm seeing the sunrise and the sunset for myself. 

Take me back now?

For more photos go to my flickr