PERU...
 Amazing!
Spectacular! Awesome! Incredible! These are some of the words
that best describe my trip to Peru. Others are 'too short,
to be repeated and unforgettable.'
Lima is a fascinating city. It is startling in its poverty and yet outstanding
in its architectural beauty. Gothic churches and European-style facades
border the many squares and plazas. This is a principally Catholic country
where religion plays a central role in the lives of even the poorest people.
Step in from the streets and you will find wall to ceiling gold statues
and ornamentation. Beggars bring in their daily takings and give them to
the Church in the hopes of a better future.
A short flight takes you to Cuzco, an ancient Inca city set at 3248 meters
above sea level. From here, you can visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas
and some of the most famous ruins and sights of their time, including Sacsayhuaman
and Ollantaytambo. All the guides that you encounter are enthusiastic and
proud to tell you their history, which is incredibly well preserved. Locals
approach you with their wares, including tiny children in national dress
asking for 1 soles for a photo (approx 40 cents.)
An early morning start and a bumpy 3-hour train ride through some amazing
scenery take you to Machu Picchu. It is a long walk up from the rail station
to the site and buses are provided. Take them " save your energy for the
walk around the huge site.
Follow the path through the gates, turn the corner, and suddenly... there
it is! And it so much more amazing than you can imagine. No matter how
many times you have seen it in books, on films or in other peoples' photos,
it is still breath taking. The sheer size of it all is beyond belief and
explanation. Its purpose and origins are still unknown although many theories
exist. .
However, the most overwhelming sense is one of religious observance. There
are temples to the sun gods and to the three principal symbols of Inca
culture " the eagle, the puma and the serpent. Within one of the temples
there is a rock formation, which is an identical, miniature replica of
the Machu Picchu site. Coincidence? Archeologists and historians think
notŠ
You will have your own thoughts on Machu Picchu, but you will never forget
that first moment.
As a complete contrast, no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to
the jungle. Trek through the rainforest and feed piranhas, and swim with
the caiman. If you're lucky you might even see a capybara. Sleep in a bamboo
hut and travel by motorized canoe. These are experiences you will never
have again so grab them by the horns and enjoy!
Peru is a fascinating country, built by incredible people and with a history
and culture that is quite unique. It is a land of stark contrast and great
poverty, and yet rich in so many ways.
Give yourself a treat - experience Peru! |
