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7th July 2013 - up early as we are heading to Machu Picchu ! Dressed in our matching Alpaca Jumpers and walked to the train station. Train left at 7:45am. It has big window even in the roof so you can enjoy the view. They served us a snack of banana chips and tea as we went along. Went arrived at the town in the valley below machu Picchu around 10am and then walked over to catch the smaller tourists buses up the hill to Machu Picchu. It was a 30 min hair raising ride up winding a narrow dirt track. Once at the top we put our overnight bag into storage and then got our passports stamped before entering the site. It is a busy day, on Sunday peru people can come for free and the government also brings groups of village woman and children to the site so they can learn about the history of there country. We saw a group of maybe 20 women dressed in the traditional clothing with a few small babies on there backs walking around on one of these local tours.
We spent time in the upper section first that they believe was used a bariel area and also had many large terraces for farming. There was a small house on top of this area that would have been a care takers residence. This area also provided the fantastic view over the whole area. It is believed that the town was built in the late 13th century but wasn't finished when it was abandoned in the 15th century. Due to the lack of personal artifacts and utilities it suggest that the place was abandoned and the people packed up and left rather than fleeing during a battle. We then walked through the main entry gate, which was constructed in perfectly cut and polished stone and also had inlets and hocks where a wooden door could have been used. Then made our way through an area of smaller and poorer constructed building suggesting they were homes of workers and storage areas. As you walk a little further into the town there is the sun temple with a semi circle wall and the building in this area are of a fine and detailed construction, probably homes of priest and noble family. Made our way along to the area of other temples and then up to the sun dial. The number 3 was important to the inca people and they lived by the 3 rules of don't be lazy, don't steal and don't lie. They also had 3 animals of importance the snake (wisdom), the puma (strength/courage) and the condor ( spirituality ). Walked along to a more open area that would have been the town centre square for markets, festivals and meetings. As you reach the far edge of the township there are some more open style building that could have been used for shelter for either travelers, workers or animals. We then walked back some larger more open building's which may have schools as the inca had an eduction system for children and especially the children of noble family were highly educated. The larger building's may have also housed workshops for metal smiths and craftman. Towards the lower area there is the temple with a large condor bird carved into the rock on the ground. Near this is the water temple in which two carved small circularrock pools are been layed in the ground and when filled with water you can see the reflection of the sun in them. This building never had a roof on it.
Then started making our way up taking in the remains of the irrigation system and just taking some time to sit and take it all in looking over the entire site. The site also had 13 fountains/wells . Again the third well was used by the priestess. We then walked back to the entry via one of the terraces. Collected luggage from the storage and then caught the bus back down to the town. Enjoyed lunch a smaller local cafe of avocado salad and then beef with rice. Had to eat really quickly as needed to meet at the train station by 230pm to collect your tickets and meet with the group to travel back to Ollantaytambo. The Train was again really nice and modern with a snack and drink served. Arrived around 5pm and transferred onto the bus back to cusco. It was a 2 hour trip on the bus. The road was busy but the driver took it a little slower and kore steady so was a fairly pleasant journey. Looking out the window at the countryside. Arrived back in cusco and checked into our hotel and just relaxed.
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