My Experience at Machu Picchu_The Lost City of the Incas

Dear Steemians, Let me show you the Machu Picchu in my eyes.

Visiting Machu Picchu "The Lost City of the Incas" has been on my bucket list for years and that day felt like a dream. I wasn´t dissappointed. And what is often said I have to repeat again: ,,Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times". There is so much beauty here and still it hasn´t all been uncovered. So the history of Machu Picchu is still a big mystery and I totally understand why UNESCO described Machu Picchu in 1983 as "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and an unique testitomy to the Inca civilization". Let me be your guide to this ancient beauty.

I´ve met many people who seriously believed that Machu Picchu was built by aliens because there are so many questions: HOW? There is little information about how or who built Machu Picchu. World has hypotheses but these hypotheses do not explain how the stones were brought to the mountains or if they were brought from the Sacred Valley. In addition, it is known that the Inca Empire did not know the wheel, which makes us wonder how they did it to move tons of rocks. Also look at the pictures and the stone work, how tight the stones are and they are still together without use of mortar. Incredible.

Let me be your guide

I am glad that I was able to cross this World Wonder off of my bucket lists. Time in South America was often market with long bus rides, altitude sickness, lack of sleep and scary plane rides - but moments like this one, seeing Machu Picchu for the first time made it all worth it.

A Little Bit of History

Machu Picchu is considered one of the 7 Wondres of Modern World. It was built during the period of the two Inca rulers Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui and Túpac Inca Yupanqui around 1450 - 1460 and was only used for approximately 80 years before destruction of the Spanish Conquests.

“In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no other place in the world which can compare with it.”
-Hiram Bingham, ‘discoverer’ of Machu Picchu-

Machu Picchu was discovered by an American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Bingham was also a lecturer at Yale University and organized the Yale Peruvian Expedition because he was looking for a different lost city known as Vilcabamba. Hiram Bingham spent most of his life arguing that Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba were one and the same but it was a wrong theory. He returned to Machu Picchu several times under the sponsorship of Yale University and National Geographic. During his studies he had several hypotheses about Inca stonework and other artefacts.

Temple of the Three Windows

Also known as a Windows of the Universe is another remarkable structure showcasing the extensive astronomical knowledge and genius of the Inca. Windows are perfectly aligned to the sun. Three is a special number in the Incas culture and the windows represents the 3 levels of the Inca Andean world: The Inner life (Subsoil) = Uku - Pacha, The Sky (Heaven) = Hannah - Pacha, The Present (Earth´s Surface) = Kay- Pacha. It can aso be described as windows to the past, present and future.

Intihuatana Ritual Stone

It is example of Incas genius. We can translate it to "Hitching Post of the Sun". This famous Intihuatana Stone is an archaeological treasure because it is the last such one intact. The others were destroyed by the Spanish in all the cities they conquered. The stone is located above a pyramid constructed in the highest part of the urban sector. The construction of the stone indicates it was delibarately designed to be used to predict important astronomical events (astronomical observation) and most likely used for ritual ceremonies.

Agricultural Terraces of the Incas

These visually fascinating terraces are found near Machu Picchu. The most perplexing feature of these structures is the fact that the bottom of the terraces never floods, no matter how much rain it receives. Inca people didn’t know how to write but I think their architectonical skills were fabulous.

Guardians of Machu Picchu - Llamas

These guys stole the show. I didn’t care about Machu Picchu, I didn’t care about history of Incas and I didn’t care about the weather. I just wanted to cuddle up with them! The loveable llamas at Machu Picchu still roam freely around the ground of Machu Picchu.

They are so photogenic and show us they are guardians of this place.

Impressive Stone Work

I can't imagine work like this being done today, let alone back in Incan times with the tools they had. Stop and carefully look at the stone work, how tight the stones are, simply amazing. The stones are also fit together top to bottom like todays tongue and groove, just incredible.

Check out the size of these rocks, it is a wonder how they may have constructed this place.

This is one of the great examples of the detailed stone craftsmanship of the Inca. The construction is amazing and beautiful. It's interesting to imagine how life must have been during the time they were here.

Like everything in Machu Picchu this is also an example of perfect architecture where bricks are nearly stacked without the use of mortar.

You left me speechless

I chose this photo because witnessing Machu Picchu for the first time was one of the most magical experiences of my life. But it wasn´t just that. Everything it took to get to that moment, all we put in and all the risks we took, made it that much more incredible. It was the bumpiest ride of my life and there were so many moments of wanting to give up. And this is what I´m reminded of when I look at his photo.

If I can give you only one advice about Machu Pichu - Hurry! Go as soon as you can before even more rules are imposed on tourists. Dear Steemians, I hope you enjoyed this amazing journey with me!

Nikollette Sunday

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