Huayna Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu was a dream come true, but being able to go back allowed me to truly soak in what I was looking at. I looked around and saw people who were there for their first day, and was entertained seeing their experience like mine just 24 hours before. There is something indescribably special about Machu Picchu. Even without the ruins, the natural beauty is unmatched, but combined with the exactness of the building and planning by the Incas make it an overwhelming experience. 

We set out on day two eager to climb Huayna Picchu. Step after step we climbed knowing that the summit would be worth it. Along the way we stopped to admire the amount of work that had to be exerted to build such a stairway. Stones carried, cut, and placed on a shear cliff where one false move sends you falling to your death. I wondered why the Incas felt the need to build such a complicated pathway to the summit of the smaller of the two most immediate mountains at the site. Later, A little research made me realize that a high priest actually lived at the top of Huayna Picchu. Squeezing through caves, Brushing off the sweat, and panting every step of the way we finally summited and the view was better than expected. Machu Picchu was a cool summit, but this one was better knowing that most pictures of the Machu Picchu site have Huayna Picchu in the background. 

Michael, Joey, and I left the summit in search for the Great Cave. After a long descent fearing we would have to return the same way, we finally saw some ruins adjacent to the great cave. I now know that we stumbled upon the Temple of the Moon. Caves were thought to be entrances for the gods, so of course the Incas regarded this place as a special site. It is thought that this was used as a place of worship, while others believe the structure was a place for ceremonial bathing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Moon_(Peru)).  I am glad we did the hike down to the cave. At first I didn’t think it was worth the walk, but the true rainforest feel and the solitude away from the crowds made the hike worth it. 

Leaving Machu Picchu again wasn’t easy, but riding on a train made it a little easier. My first train ride proved to be much better than riding the bus. I thought the train staff was entertaining and would recommend riding the train to anyone going to Machu Picchu. I feel so lucky to have been to Machu Picchu and have already told my family that they have to go someday.