The Road to Machupicchu

Machupicchu

Our travel to Machupicchu began with...

• a one hour flight from Lima to Cusco (Cuzco)
• overnight stay in Cusco
• 20 min drive to Poroy station
• early morning train trip from Poroy to Aguas Calientes
• overnight stay in Aguas Calientes
• early morning bus to Machupicchu

Needless to say, I really wanted to go. 

A little background... Back in the 90's my dear friend, Rob and I visited Sedona, Arizona. While there, we learned that some people believe there are places in the world that are known as high energy hot spots or 'energy vortices'. Sedona, Arizona - Calgary, Alberta Canada - Machupicchu and Stonehenge were right up there on our list of places to 'get energized' at. Sadly, Sedona was the last trip Rob & I took together. He died 8 weeks later. My trip to Machupicchu was - in part - a tribute to him.

Cusco

Being warned that Cusco was at 11,000 feet above sea level, we were advised to walk slowly and (in order to prevent altitude sickness) start on Diamox. Good advice. After a short walk in town, climbing a hill or two and up a flight of stairs, my blue finger-tips and shortness of breath indicated I was mildly symptomatic - some people require hospitalization and supplemental oxygen -my personal remedy was to continue on Diamox, drink a lot of water and rest. It worked.

A natural preventative to altitude sickness: Coca Tea

And by-the-way... Peruvian pharmacies are great. I was like a nurse in a candy-store. You can get your choice of antibiotics, diuretics, salves and ointments...all without a prescription. The Pharmacist is the official drug gatekeeper - he and I became instant friends - and I stocked up. Diamox? Yes, please. Bactrim? Sure! Anything else?...let me look around... most medicines are easy to I.D. if you are familiar with their generic names.

Our accommodations in Cusco were perfect. A rustic room with private bath close to the city center, in a section known as San Blas.WiFi was included and Coca tea served on arrival. Who could ask for more? It was comfortable and quiet. Perfect.

Having to be up and ready to go by 5 am in order to catch a train to Aguas Calientes, we were all snug and asleep when the music started in our room from the bar, across the street. Normally, the option would have been to just suck it up or join them but we had a long day ahead. Earplugs didn't cut it. So, in the best Spanish that I could conjure up, I asked our elderly landlady if she knew what time the bar closed and tried to explain that we had to get up early. She apologized and then as if by magic...the music was taken down several notches. I'm thinking she marched herself over there ...

The following morning, we were picked up at our door by South Adventure Peru Tours and recommend them highly. We were driven to Poroy, where we caught our train to Aguas Calientes. The city itself has no need for cars as it is entirely walk-able. I had read somewhere that 'AC' was an armpit. True enough, but it is safe and there are a few quaint streets - that's about it. Our wake-up call in AC was needless as the dogs howling, cats wailing  and roosters crowing did the trick.

Visiting Machupicchu would be a dream come true 

... and Rob would have loved it.

Next - Machu Picchu