I have thought for a long time whether and what I should write about Machu Picchu. The reason for my doubts... There are already a million reports about it, and honestly, who wants to read the millionth report.
But somehow, the ancient Inca site and I still have unfinished business. It is some kind of satisfying reconciliation for me. Because as they say, the journey is the goal. And it definitely was. How I cursed it. That stupid pile of stones up there.
Yes, we booked a bargain. 120 dollars per person. Mind you, in the low season, you easily pay 200 dollars for a two-day tour.
The drive started out quite relaxed, through the valle sacrado, the Sacred Valley. Green spots, here and there, alternate with a drive along the river, until it finally goes into the mountains. Highest point 4700 meters, then downhill again....
The word Lama is pronounced in Spanish, which is unusual for Europeans. If you pronounce it as it is written, you say iama. like 'you, he, she, it is called'. For example: 'como te llamas?' (what is your name?) I could die laughing about the wordplay! ...
What one could have thought, but not expected or hoped for, is what comes next. After our race bus driver suddenly hits the brakes and we see two or three other cars in the fog, that can't mean anything good. Because when Peruvians stop in the middle of the road, they either ran someone over, or there is no road anymore.
Llamas hunt in packs. Or were those wolves?The huge part of the earth that lies like a blanket over the road, gives just a hint of how lucky we were. In the morning, the slope must have slipped and now it is no longer possible to pass. The choice is to go four hours back to Cusco, of course without reimbursement of costs, or wait until the stuff is cleared away. Well, the case was clear. We wait. But for what? Hidden in the fog.... According to our driver, the plan should look like this: In two hours the clearing troops will arrive, put a provisional bridge over the pile of rubble within another two hours, and we on our side will be allowed to drive first. Wow! Sounds good, but reality looked a little different... Clears up.... My suspicion that there would never be a bridge built over it, would be confirmed. And besides, where did he get the exact info from? No bridge, but more rain and fog, we endure in the car, walk up and down the road, hour after hour and our driver is missing. Six hours later the road is cleared, the oncoming traffic is allowed to go first, which is difficult because the drivers on our side have caused an orderly traffic chaos. Our guide returned to the car only after six hours, wisely in advance. Now we are supposed to change the car, to the other side of the earth heap that has now been removed. The logic behind this plan would not become apparent to me later either. Said and done. The journey continues with the other car, which is ready three hundred meters further down the road. what you would want to see... One of the greatest masterpieces of human architecture and hence covered by up to 2500 tourists per day: The Machu Picchu , approximately seven hours away from Cusco....Theoretically! ...Almost arrived at the destination, tired, almost eight hours later than planned. A train could run here that covers the distance from the hydroelectric power station to the village at the foot of Machu Picchu in 45 minutes. Well, unfortunately there is no more train now. What remains is a prompt onset of two and a half hours of rain, not just rain, but RAIN!!! and walking in pitch-dark night, past roaring waters and rotten railroad bridges. Impossible without light and good footwear. You can take the train to Machu Picchu or, like us, miss it and walk along the tracks for 2.5 hours in pouring rain at night. On the way back, we also took the slightly overpriced train. ...Wet and even more tired we arrive at the hostel, where we leave for Machu Picchu after four hours of sleep.... The place itself, surrounded by tall mountains covered in green vegetation, has something magical-mystical. Without a doubt, absolutely worth seeing. And here I stand. And I curse this place, our driver, nature, the Incas, this country. I could scream, cry, laugh. Totally exhausted and at the end of my nerves. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong, and yet the moment compensates for everything, when the fog moves over the mountains, like secret magic weaving through the ruins and finally makes room for the individual rays of the sun. I am still tired, my socks are still wet, but I am glad to be here, to have conquered the path and to be rewarded with my feet on the ground of one of the most impressive places on earth. And who knows, maybe that was my Inca exam, because they say that everyone has to earn Machu Picchu. What happened behind the walls. Up to four families lived together in the houses. The heart of the matter, or Mama Earth had a really bad day. <{i>
