La Vida En Santiago: Machu Picchu

From Cuzco, we took a taxi-van to a town called Ollantaytambo with an INSANE driver who saw no need to slow down on winding roads (with a cliff on one side) or for speed bumps. Sitting in the back seat for over an hour wasn't very fun, but at least the scenery was nice. From Ollantaytambo, we took a train to Aguas Calientes, the last town before Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes was a tiny little town surrounded by mountains, but super touristy since it only exists for travelers to have somewhere to stay before and after going up the mountain. As soon as we got off the train, we were swarmed by people offering hostel deals and tours. We followed one woman to her hostel ($10/night!!!) and she helped us get everything sorted out for Machu Picchu. That night, finding a place to eat was just as overwhelming as finding a hostel. You walk through any square or down any street and have about 6 menus shoved in your face at a time, with each host/hostess trying to bribe you with deals. Everyone had SOMETHING that was "free, just for you." We finally found a place that served Mexican food - such a letdown, NOT the same at all - and got to bed early.

View from our hostel in Aguas Calientes.

We got up before 4 A.M. the next morning, put on our ponchos and rushed to the bus area to try to catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, but the line was already suuuper long when we got there. The bus took us through the jungle up to the entrance of the park, and we were lucky enough to be 4 of the first 400 people, which meant we got tickets to climb Huayna Picchu, a really tall mountain next to Machu Picchu that looks down on all the ruins. The climb up Huayna Picchu was brutal...basically a straight hour of climbing up steep stone stairs, but so worth it. The view from the top was incredible. When we first got up there, it was really misty and we couldn't even see Machu Picchu through the fog, but it was so crazy being up there and looking down on all the clouds. After about half an hour, the fog started to lift and we could see all the ruins below us, and it was completely breathtaking. Definitely one of the greatest places I've ever seen!!! Maybe the greatest...

From the entrance...first view of Machu Picchu.

FIRST ALPACA SIGHTING!!!

On the way up.

Look what I found! Giant...rabbit/gopher?

Just some of the steps up Huayna Picchu.

In the clouds :)

Our view when we first got to the top.

And when the clouds parted!

On the way back down...tired and sweaty :/ But who's jealous of my fanny pack?!

And then back down to Machu Picchu! We spent the rest of the day exploring the ruins and still didn't have enough time to see all of it. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that we took a nap up there...oh well, that means I gotta go back! The only thing I regret is not bringing bug spray. Our ankles got completely swollen with bites from these tiny mosquito/fly things, who I still haven't forgiven.

I'm gonna let my pictures say the rest, but here are some facts about Machu Picchu before the picture overload:

It's known as the Lost City of the Incas and is located in the Andes.
No one knows the true purpose of Machu Picchu...it could've been a spiritual or defensive retreat, an royal court, or all of the above.
All of the structures are made out of separate stone blocks with no mortar in between. The rocks obviously don't look like they did back then, but they were cut so perfectly that nothing was needed to keep them together, and the buildings and walls are all earthquake-resistant.
It's one of the New 7 Wonders of the World!!!