grounds of Machu Picchu, that you cannot truly imagine such beauty,
such grandeur, or such a heavenly ambiance in one natural setting; an
ambiance that still ranks high on my list given the other sense-awing
vista areas to which have traveled in other parts of the Andes
Mountains.
In the case of this four-day and three -night venture (which forms the
typical Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu trip via the "Inca Trail"), few
of my previous trekking adventures would stand up to the magnificent
sights, heartfelt laughs and memorable experiences lived here on the
road to the "Old Mountain," the English translation of Machu Picchu.
At 5 a.m. sharp, each of the 15 groups rose like eager troops ready
for their mission impossible into unknown terrain. Like clockwork, our
group of 12 prepared, ate and promptly left the campsite at the
Trekker Lodge. The anticipation was palpable as we strode along the
jungle trail, moist in all directions from ground to the low-hanging
and all-encompassing foliage. Most everybody on the trail was chomping
at the bit to arrive first at the mountain pass, or "Sun Gate," at
which point the 15-minute coast down to the Machu Picchu ruin site
would be only a formality. Anxiety, stress and haste colored the mood
up to the mountain pass, while peace, serenity and stillness awaited
us at our arrival to the Sun Gate.
It's as if a collective exhale sounded off as the slow herds of hikers
trounced upon the nest-like entrance. From there, with the Sun Gate
arch anciently accenting the threshold between desolation and
civilization, between lost and found, and between uncertain and
certainty, this divine view inspired each soul to cede to its surreal
and inescapable grace.
Luckily for us, today was a perfect day to be here: a few passing
clouds, a slight breeze and unmatched company. In that instance, we
could see each aspect of the ruin site that lay below. The first
observation made: the inseparable union of Machu Picchu (the citadel)
and Huayna Picchu (the back-dropping mountain). After that, the rest
just happens: the various courtyards, temples and structures stretched
over and molded to the Old Mountain, the outlying and ubiquitous
verdant mountains that surrender to a fate unseen and abysmal in the
river basin far below, and the timeless and tranquil quality to all
the eye and heart sees.
When present here, one imagines the mighty toil expended in executing
such an architectural endeavor. Though, keeping in mind that Machu
Picchu was a later Incan construction, this project might not have
been considered large by the standards of the Incas who, especially
during the time of the Inca Pachacuti (14th century), were enormously
prolific and ambitious, architecturally speaking and otherwise.
Regardless of the mindset of the architects and workers of Machu
Picchu, any attempt to understate the site's divinity would be
atrociously futile.
When present here, one imagines the mighty toil expended in executing
such an architectural endeavor. Though, keeping in mind that Machu
Picchu was a later Incan construction, this project might not have
been considered large by the standards of the Incas who, especially
during the time of the Inca Pachacuti (14th Century), were enormously
prolific and ambitious, architecturally speaking and otherwise.
Regardless of the mindset of the architects and workers of Machu
Picchu, any attempt to understate the site's divinity would be
atrociously futile.
Patrick Roseblade is an author and freelance writer in South Lake
Tahoe. He has traveled extensively through Spain and the Andean
countries of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia. He holds a bachelors
degree in cultural anthropology from UC Davis. His collection of
travel essays is at perupat.blogspot.com.
Written by 2Machupicchu
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