Goodbye Costa Rica! Hello Peru!
Hey everyone, I leave tomorrow for Cusco, Peru! I´ve gotta start taking my altitude sickness medicine now because it is one of the highest cities in the world at an altitude of 10,800 feet, double that of Denver, Colorado. I´m also trying to psyche myself up for the five day hike we are doing to Machu Picchu. It will be the most physically rigorous part of my three month trip, leading to what I expect will be the the most beautiful place I visit!
I´m getting excited about the ruins after reading a book by Hiram Bingham, the first American explorer to discover the ruins of Machu Picchu. He quotes a nature buff named Frank Chapman who said ¨in the sublimity of its surroundings, the marvel of its site, the character and mystery of construction, the Western Hemisphere holds nothing comparable.¨ When Bingham was led to the ruins by local indigenous people in 1911, he said, ¨Dimly, I began to realize that this wall and its adjoining temple over the cave were as fine as the finest stonework in the world. It fairly took my breath away. What could this place be?… Perhaps after all this was an isolated place which had escaped notice because it was inaccessible… Suddenly we found ourselves standing in front of the ruins of two of the finest and most interesting structures in ancient America. Made of beautiful white granite, the walls contained blocks of Cyclopean size, higher than a man. The sight held me spellbound.¨ He continues later, ¨The tropical forest had held undisputed sway for a very long time. During the course of our clearing, we found massive trees, two feet thick, perched on the gable ends of small, beautifully constructed houses.¨
After the trek, we will visit Lake Titicaca and then cross over into Bolivia, ending our trip in La Paz, the highest capital city in the world at 12,000 feet. This final portion of my trip will vary in many ways from my time in Central America. For one, it is going to be very cold in the mountains, especially at night. I will also be traveling with my little brother for the first time in Latin America, a region we are both passionate about. Our good family friend Jeff rounds out the trio; he visited me in Argentina four years ago! I will be out of touch on the road for the next few weeks. xoxo, emma
