Machu Picchu

I woke up yesterday morning with the same feeling I still get every Christmas. I was going to Machu Picchu. The entire trip has sort of built up to this day, and it did not disappoint. After a 4am alarm, I was heading to the site on its’ most important day of the year. Michael needed me to take pictures at the Temple of the Three Windows so I scrambled that way before daybreak. 

Upon arriving at the Sacred Plaza I knew immediately I was at an important place. As with all Incan architecture everything was masterfully made, but the detailed carving and the size of the stones set this area apart. As I was waiting for the sun to rise over the mountains, I scanned Machu Picchu: Exploring an Ancient Sacred Center by Johan Reinhard for information concerning the Sacred Plaza. While not much was included about the Temple of Three Windows I did notice a picture that displayed the site from a westwardly looking viewpoint. In this picture an arrow points to Mount Pumosillo.  I immediately found the mountain and noticed that it was one of, if not the highest mountains in the western sky. While verifying via internet has not been successful, I do have a theory to the importance of Mount Pumosillo. During this time of year, sunlight illuminates this peak before any other. And as a heliocentric society the first sign of sun would have been significant. I am going to continue to research Mount Pumosillo and I would not be surprised if one or more ruins have direct alignments with this mountain. 

I was the first to arrive at the Temple of the Three Windows, but that solitude did not last long. Soon I was surrounded by many people there for observing, photographing, and even for spiritual reasons. I was reminded again of the significance of where I was, and overwhelmed by the fact that I got to be there on such a special day. Sitting on the Sacred Plaza, the Temple of The Three Windows forms a shadow that points towards the solstice sunset. It is believed that ceremonial events took place here and as Dr. Brown pointed out, the large stone of granite that looks like an altar was not just left there because it was too heavy. 

There is also another theory concerning the temple of the three windows that states the three windows provide three lines of sight to the sunrise on midsummer day, equinox day, and midwinter day (http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sitchin/sitchinbooks05_05.htm). If this theory holds true, I am further amazed that at one site the Incas were able to make multiple solar alignments without obstructing one with the other. 

I am continually amazed by the amount of work that must have been done in order to create such a site, and my jaw dropped a little more upon reaching the summit of Machu Picchu. Being at the site was incredibly, but having the opportunity to look down at the site and notice its perfectly manicured details nestled in such a perfect place. While hiking up the mountain I thought again of the impenetrable aspect of the Machu Picchu. Mountains and Cliffs surround on all sides, and if the “staircase” I climbed gave me that much trouble, I can’t imagine many Incan enemies could bush whack there way to the site. 

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Machu Picchu was the amount of discovery that is left to be done. I think it has been said on this trip that it kind of sucks because most the world has been explored, but yesterday was a reminder that while no land masses are still left to find, there is still plenty of exploration to be done on this planet. I can scratch Machu Picchu off my bucket list, but I will be adding revisiting Machu Picchu to the top.