My seventh grade Spanish text book contained pictures of Machu Picchu that captured my attention. Pictures of a city of ruins built into jungle mountains jutting up into the sky created a desire in me to see the site in person. I have wanted to visit Machu Picchu ever since. As part of our debrief for Peru we were promised a visit to Machu Picchu. For the past couple of days I have been trying to talk myself down about the trip. I was concerned that Machu Picchu would not be what I hoped and waited for, so I told myself the pictures probably looked better than the site. I also prepared myself for rain or fog, which is a common problem impairing the view from the top.
Yesterday afternoon I started coming down with a fever and sore throat. I was up with a fever all through the night which seemed short anyway due to our early 6:00 am departure. So I prayed that God would heal me and allow me to enjoy the day, without being hindered by illness. We started out with an hour and a half bus ride through the mountains to a train station. Then we waded through vendors trying to sell us water and hats, “It’s very hot at Machu Picchu and the prices are very expensive, you should buy here.” All the World Racers were assigned to car B on the big blue passenger train.
I was plastered to the window as we passed snow capped mountains, fields of corn and small huts constructed from mud and straw.
The tracks paralleled a river rushing with water creating rapids on the upper side of Class 5. The town of Machu Picchu was our final stop on the train where we met even more vendors trying to sell us water and hats, “I only charge 2 soles at the top they charge 10 soles.” Our final leg of the trip involved taking a bus straight up the mountain of switchbacks.
The view from the top was amazing. Layers and layers of the Andes mountains surrounded me.
A guide offered a tour, but a group of us had a goal in mind, climb to the top of Waynapicchu (the mountain that serves as the background for almost all of the Machu Picchu pictures).
It took a good 10 minutes of walking just to reach the entrance of Waynapicchu. Machu Picchu is bigger than it looks and a maze too. The ruins were discovered by an American in 1911. It is believed to have been a retreat and learning center for priests and priestesses in the 15th century. They used the site for studying the stars, training, education, and sacrifices. It is not known why the city was deserted. The intricacy of the rocks fitted together was incredible. Some of the rocks were the size of an elephant. Some of the underground water system fed by mountain streams is still intact.
At the entrance of Waynapicchu we learned that they only allow 400 visitors per day and the hike would take an hour. The hike curved up the mountain with stone steps as a path. Within ten minutes of walking I was completely out of breath due to the altitude. But, God seemed to answer my prayer, because I did not feel sick other than a scratchy throat. Thirty minutes later, after much sweat and hard breathing we reached the top to see yet another amazing view.
It’s hard to understand why anyone would build on top of a mountain like Waynapicchu until I looked out at the amazing view.
Machu Picchu was everything and more than what I expected it to be. I felt so blessed to be able to look out over the mountains at the amazing archeological find.
The hike back down was a little easier physically, but I started to notice how long the fall would be if I took a wrong step.
I returned to the main city of the ruins to take pictures and explore, but the pictures do not do justice to seeing it in person.
Three hours after arriving it was time for us to leave. The time had gone quickly, but I felt like I had seen Machu Picchu. Once again the Lord provided for me. He gave me the chance to see Machu Picchu, kept me healthy for the trek, and kept the skies clear blue. He even provided a rainbow.
