Yep, that picture pretty much sums up the week long trip to Peru. Seeing Machu Picchu was always a life long dream of mine. My time for this trip was very short, but I am glad I did this. You only live once.
There were some unexpected troubles with the trip. A trainworkers’ strike and local protests forced me to forgo an extra day in the town of Machu Picchu. Long story short, I had to take a late night train to some remote mountain town/village and then quasi-hitchhike my way back to Cusco, the nearest town with an airport. After a full day at Machu Picchu, I reached Cusco in a rather chaotic manner at 2 in the morning. If I wouldn’t have done this, I could very well be stuck in Machu Picchu even today.
While I was in Cusco for the next day, I saw the protests and police brigades in their riot gear. It was pretty crazy but a bit fun to witness up close. I have pics, but I’m too lazy to sort through them and post them. Maybe later (probably not).
And if that wasn’t enough, the stupid TSA and customs control slowly searched randomly selected luggage when I arrived back in the U.S. My luggage was not selected but waiting in the long line forced me to miss a connecting flight, and I had to spend an extra seven hours in Newark. Past travel experiences allowed me to remain calm and diligent throughout this, but I do have to admit, I was pretty exhausted from an already rather hectic trip.
Nevertheless, I am so grateful that I was able to see Machu Picchu and get to know Peru and its people a little better. I definitely do want to come back and do the Inca Trail properly to reach Machu Picchu and explore Peru more.
However, it’s probably going to be a while before my next (hectic) trip to South America.