Machu Picchu

I attempted multiple times to write this post and fully be able to express the magic of Cuzco that can be felt, especially from within Machu Picchu. However, I am beginning to think that one cannot even begin to comprehend the wonders of this earth, especially Machu Picchu, with mere words; although, I will do my best to convey what I saw and what I felt.


Tuesday
I had told Gisell earlier in the week that we should secure tickets for Machu Picchu. It is peek travel time in Peru as most Peruvians are on winter vacations. However, she insisted that going the day before would be sufficient. Around noon on Tuesday we left to seek tickets to Machu Picchu; our first stop was the train station. Here we found tickets for Thursday, but nothing was available for Wednesday. Knowing we were leaving for Lima on Thursday, we left, unsure where to go next. We went to a few travel agencies, but left each one feeling a little bit worse than the prior. Prices were high, and space was limited.
After about an hour of searching, we decided to stop at a market and look at the artisan items available. As we walked through the market, Gisell came across some earrings that she really liked. She was talking with the lady about the earrings, when we heard Jesus Adrian Romero (Spanish, Christian singer) playing on her radio. We asked if she was a Christian, and we began talking about our churches. Soon she asked me if I'd been to Machu Picchu, and she insisted that we had to go. We explained to her that we had been trying to find tickets, but that we couldn't find any cheap enough or with 2 available for the time we needed to go. She quick closed up her shop, and went with us to her friend who is a travel agent. We worked with her for about 2 hours and finally we had tickets to Machu Picchu in hand. We were so excited!! Thanks to a common bond of Christianity, we were able to secure tickets.


Wednesday
We awoke at 1:55 a.m. because the taxi was coming to pick us up at 2:15 a.m. We quickly readied ourselves for the day, and began to pace in front of the window waiting for the taxi to arrive. At about 2:30 we received a call that the taxi had been waiting for us but left because we were not there. After much discussion the lady asked for our address, and told us that the taxi should be coming back. We ventured outside, to find the taxi a block away waiting.

We arrived just in time to catch the bus which would take us to meet the train. After a 2 hour, bumpy, bus ride up, down, and around mountains, we finally arrived at the train station. Gisell had to take a different train that me because they don't allow Peruvians and travelers to ride together. Her train left at 5:40, and mine didn't leave until 6:40, so I sat and waited. After a 90 minute train ride, I finally arrived in Aguas Calientes at 8:15...the last stop before Machu Picchu.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, I was directed into a group with a guide to lead us through Machu Picchu. From here, I would be rejoined with Gisell for the rest of the day. In my group I met a man from Brasilia, Brazil who was also traveling alone. Between his Portuguese and my English we were able to find common ground speaking half English/half Spanish. (I know no Portuguese, and he knows bits and pieces of Spanish and English.) We became friends immediately...they say Machu Picchu unites people.

We took a 30 minute bus ride winding up the mountain to Machu Picchu. We finally arrived at 9 a.m. and I quickly found Gisell and the rest of our tour group. Our guide, Nataly, was very informative and kind throughout our 4 hour tour. We enjoyed the time, made new friends, and marveled over God's creation and the intelligence of the Incas.

After our tour of the Inca ruins, we decided to go with some others from our group to climb the mountain of Machu Picchu and walk the path that the Incas used to enter their great city. We spent about an hour and a half climbing and only made it about halfway. It was a marvelous view that took my breath away. I wanted to sit on top of that mountain all day and worship the Lord of all Creation. Words cannot even begin to describe the feeling I had being high above all surrounding mountains. All that I felt, all that I saw brought tears to my eyes. It was like God spoke directly to me and said, "You see all of this, but I am bigger. I can do the impossible if you trust me." I was overcome by emotions; I was breathless and lacking words. I felt God's embrace as the wind swept past me, and He whispered into my ear. It was an incredible moment that I didn't want to let go of; yet eventually we did have to leave.

Together Gisell and I found a place to sit among the ruins of Machu Picchu and rest, breathe, and admire all that was around us. Here we sat for about 30 minutes in silence and awe. Around 4 p.m. we took the bus back down the mountain. We met up with others from our tour group and had dinner before leaving on the train at 7 p.m. I arrived back at the train station at 8:40 and waited for Gisell's train to arrive at 11:30 p.m. I was very nervous sitting in the station alone at night, but with much prayer and thanksgiving, God did protect me. (You would think that even if Peruvians and travelers couldn't use the same train, they'd at least have similar schedules...only in Peru.)

We finally arrived back in Cuzco at 2 a.m. Thursday morning, and both of us dashed to bed without even considering brushing our teeth or washing our faces. It was an incredible day that I will not soon forget. It is only by the grace of God that we were able to find tickets, safely arrive, spend a fantastic day, and return from Machu Picchu.

Here's a few pictures from the day!

Aguas Calientes...the train station :)

Views from above Machu Picchu!
It took my breath away!! 

A little watch tower that sits above the Inca City. 

The only original opening (door) into the Inca City.

The Temple of the Sun.

Such gorgeous scenery!

Evidence that the Incas weren't done constructing 

their city when forced out by Spainards nearly 500 years ago.

Yup, we went mountain hiking.

A view from the top of the mountain.

Our God is so big, so great and so mighty!
There is nothing that He cannot do!

You can't really see it, but this is a picture of the path we followed.

We arrived at the break in the mountains.

(Left side, V shape)

Gisell and I at the top! 

A view from above of the road that leads from

Aguas Calientes to the mountain of Machu Picchu.

Ahhh, no words can describe how

humbled I felt standing here admiring

this great city.

Cuzco Reflections

I've mentioned before that this trip is all about stepping out of my comfort zone, and this week was a big stretch in that area. Living with a Peruvian family, on Peruvian time, speaking only Spanish, and learning the love language of self-pride and belittlement were a few of the challenges I faced...not to mention the lack of internet access to connect myself with things/people "familiar" to me. I think we spent about 75% of the week waiting for someone who wasn't ready to leave and about 25% of the week exploring and touring the sites. Gisell is one of few people who can't seem to understand me when I speak, although I think 90% of the time she just didn't listen because everyone seemed to understand just fine. I shed quite a few silent tears throughout the week, and spent lots of time praying for patience, understanding, and a better attitude. Don't get me wrong, though; overall, I did have a great week aside from the frustrations and challenges.

I danced to traditional live Peruvian music in the Cuzco Plaza de Armas (city center).

I ate potatoes literally baked in the ground, next to a gorgeous lake in Chincheros.

We toured the ruins at Chincheros in the evening.

We walked around the Cuzco Plaza de Armas during the day, taking in all the sites.
I got to hold a baby goat, and then was asked to pay because I wanted a picture.

We found a stone with 12 angles (which apparently is a big deal).

We toured the Cathedral, but we were only permitted to take pictures outside.

We drove up to Sacsayhuaman to see the ruins from above (for free).

From this point, you could also see the entire city of Cuzco on the other side.

We enjoyed snapping a few photos of the Cristo Blanco.

He stands watch high over the city of Cuzco and illuminates the night sky.

Last, but certainly not least, we spent a full day (2 a.m.Wednesday - 2 a.m. Thursday)
on an adventure to tour the most famous Inca Ruins at Machu Picchu.

(More about this attraction coming in a later post.)

I learned lots of new Spanish words; many of which I don't remember.

I tried new Peruvian cuisines, most of which contained bread or potatoes.

I'm craving white rice; apparently that isn't a main dish in Cuzco.

Lastly, I met some pretty amazing people throughout the week.

Gisell's family was very generous and kind, 

and I met some new friends during our day at Machu Picchu.

Cuzco is a beautiful city, much different from Lima. It's still very Peruvian in it's look, but it is also very much a tourist city and has been well kept to ensure comfort to its visitors. Cuzco is rich in history with many amazing things to see. I would love to go back again and see all of the things we missed. However, if I did it again, I'd fly. Literally 12+ hours of none stop winding and zig-zagging around mountains is a bit too much for my stomach. Even if you have no desire to ever visit Peru, I would highly recommend considering Machu Picchu for a vacation at some point. I fell in love with the place, and I'm sure you would, too :D

Llegamos!!

After an 18 hour bus ride (in seats much more comfortable than an airplane), I have arrived in Cuzco. Gisell and I boarded the bus and left Lima at approximately 6:20 last evening. After a very long trek up and down the mountains and many times around and around and around, we were finally welcomed to Cuzco with a bright shining, golden sun. It was a nice change from the cloudy, misty weather in Lima. Today is the first sun I´ve seen since I left Indiana.

We´re both exhausted, so we opted today to go out for lunch with her family, and we´ve decided to relax while watching the Peru vs Mexico soccer game this evening. Tomorrow we will begin our tourist adventures. I´m excited to see parts of this gorgeous territory and learn more about the history of Peru. Let´s hope the weather cooperates for a nice week in Cuzco!!

Adjustments

By now I've learned how to quickly adjust to the culture of Peru; yet there are always those things that throw me for a loop. This year, it's the fact that I'm staying in a very different location than normal, and I'm having to learn new bus routes. My last four times in Peru I've stayed at or very close to the same location. However, this year, I'm living in a completely new district of Lima. It's closer to my friends, church, and most other things (except the kids), but figuring out which buses to take where has been a challenge. Thankfully most of my friends live near enough that they stop and pick me up to go places, and they drop me off afterwards. Only once did I get off at the wrong stop. I knew immediately I wasn't in the right location, so I called a friend to redirect me. She wasn't sure where I was either, so rather than walking to figure it out, I paid a taxi to bring me the rest of the way home.

Because I'm so close to most things, I have spent much time walking and walking and walking. I'm enjoying the savings on transportation, but Lima (especially at night) is wet this time of year, so I often feel damp and cold. As we walk down the street, my friends and I often walk shoulder to shoulder hoping to keep one another warm. All in all, I wouldn't trade these walks for a bus ride any day. Often during these walks fun and intimate conversations are had. I've learned more about some of my friends walking down the street with them then I would have learned riding in a crowded bus.

I've adjusted to staying out late and sleeping in quite well. The bus horns, car/house alarms, and pounding often wake me up each morning, but each day I'm able to sleep through them a little longer. I've adjusted to eating lunch around 1 p.m. and dinner at 10 p.m. or later. I've adjusted to slow internet, quick to the point phone calls (don't want to waste any prepaid money), and television in Spanish. I've learned to ignore the whistles and stares I get as I walk down the street, and I've learned to carry my belongings hidden and close to me. I've learned to be flexible and not to try to schedule things in advance...there's always something going on, I just might not know until the day of. I've forced myself to speak Spanish even when the person I'm talking with has studied English; it's the best way to improve my language skills. I've remembered why I love this place so much, and I'm thankful that God has provided me this month to to spend with friends dear to my heart.

In a few hours I will be leaving for Cuzco. I'm super excited to see this part of Peru's history, but I'm full of nervous energy. I will be spending the next 8 days with a friend who only speaks Spanish, and we will be staying at her aunt's house who also only speaks Spanish. I'm sure I'll get along just fine, but I always worry that I won't understand or that I'll say something wrong. I may not have internet access while I'm away, so I will update this when I return, if I can't do it while I'm away. Prayers for my health (so far so good) and safety (also not an issue thus far) would be appreciated.

Comfort Zone??

I've decided this trip is all about stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Although, I've probably thought that very same thing the last four trips I've made to this wonderful country. People and life here is so unique; maybe that's why I like it so much. Rather than sitting around, watching a movie or playing a game of cards, people here go out and share real life together. They talk, they laugh, they cry, they imagine, they create, and they do. They get outside of their daily routines, and they live life to the fullest.

Last night as I laid my head to rest, I was glad to have the entire day today to rest and relax. I took full advantage of that opportunity today, as I have been bouncing from one thing to the next since I arrived. Tonight, I am very thankful I rested today. My friend, Nilton, invited me to go with him to a Creativity Workshop. I wasn't sure what to expect as he described the event as improv; I figured, why not go and have some fun. It couldn't possibly much worse than karaoke was. Haha! Little did I know, during karaoke last evening, I was still able to sit behind the scenes to an extent and watch the activity around me. Tonight, I had no choice but to participate.

 Impromptu pose.

 Improv skits...he told me he didn't love me because I was tall :(

Team building excercise.

Thankfully it was a small group of people, and I did know a few of them. We did everything from team building activities, to impromptu skits, dances, poses, and more (as pictured above). I was definitely out of my comfort zone on most levels, but at the end of the night, I am able to look back and recall how much fun I had.

 My friend, Gisell, after the workshop.

Nilton and me.