Macchu Piccu and Incan buns

So it happened.

Macchu Piccu, one of the great wonders of the world, and I was there. I have the selfies to prove it.

Macchu Piccu comes from the Incan words meaning 'Old/ great mountain.'

It's the name of the mountain, the iconic structures on the mountain, and also the town at the bottom of the mountain. Welcome to Macchu Piccu, everybody.

Apparently, the correct pronunciation is 'Pick-chu.'

You're welcome.

We got the train from Ollantaytambo at a ridiculously early hour and travelled into Macchu Piccu town. It's a pretty adorable place, especially if you love people yelling, "Missy missy, you come here? You eat here lady!" even if they see you LITERALLY JUST WALKING OUT OF A RESTAURANT.

Macchu Piccu is incredible, though. The first day, we hiked up to the sun gate- andl seriously, the Incans must have had buns of steel. I've never climbed so many stairs in my life. I didn't even know that many stairs existed.

Up at the sun gate, we had a magnificent view of the structure. Apparently it's built shaped like a condor; I don't see it, but good for them.

Chilling at the Sun Gate, looking over Macchu Piccu from the mountain itself, I got chatting to some people who had hiked the Inca Trail all the way from the bottom of the mountain. ALL THE WAY.

Way to go, Scott from Denver Colorado. Way to make me feel lazy as all hell for getting the bus and only hiking a small section.

 

I did hike back down the mountain, though. It was tough. My calves were feeling it. Still are, actually.

You know those dreams you have where you walk but never get anywhere? That was the Inca Trail for me.

I thought about Sisyphus, endlessly climbing and pushing his boulder, and empathised a little bit. The was an air of the Jungian hero in every member of our group as they gritted their teeth and took on the stairway from hell with good grace. I like to think I had good grace. I kept the audible complaining to a minimum, at Least. For some reason I thought of Albert Camus a lot on that walk. I know, it's the Sisyphus thing. This is the kind of shit my dehydrated brain feeds me at the time, by the way. Always fun to be inside my head.

The next day, after a hectic night of parties and accidentally losing some drunken Canadians in the town (Don't worry; I found them again!) we headed back up to Macchu Piccu and explored the buildings with a local guide who gave us an insight into the history of Macchu Piccu.  Some of us were hung over. A lot of us were in post hike pain. All of us were tired. We weren't a very responsive crowd.

It was very interesting though! I wish I could remember some cool facts, but... You know what, I slept on a train. Y'all can google it.  

At present, we're heading back into Cusco. The next few days before we leave should be pretty fun, but it's breaking my heart that it's coming to an and.

I'll take on all the stairs, I'll hike the Inca Trail to the top of the mountain a thousand times. Just let me stay here.

Much love  

- G