Machu Picchu – Day #2

I woke up at 4am, like a kid on Christmas. I decided to wear my new special necklace today in order to channel even more positive energy. Shannon decided after much research to not attend the hike, as it required both hands and included rope ladders and portions of rock climbing. We had coordinated with Joe & Libby the day before to meet at 420am but I was nervous they would do their own thing and I would be alone (slightly scary at 430am in pitch black). Not only did they meet me, we shared a breakfast served by the lovely hostel and got to know each other a bit. We discussed how critical it was to arrive early enough on the Mountain Top in order to get 7am tickets to Huayna Picchu as the later entrance would not allow us enough time to get back and catch the noon train (only 400 people can climb the moutain per day and only 200 can go at 7, while 200 more can go at 10).

We caught the bus at 530 and were very nervous as we arrived up top as hundreds of people were already in line. We soon realized people had hiked up the switchbacks versus taking the bus. By now the sun was rising and we were petrified we missed our only chance!

We got in line anyway, praying the entire time that we would at least get good sunrise shots. Upon arrival to the front gate we were shocked to find out most of the people in line were not there to hike AND we were numbers 192, 193 and 194!!!! We just made it for the 7am hike

We basically ran around the mountain curve to get some more sunrise shots and to gain some much needed energy before our 1.5 hour hike straight up. After taking a few pictures Joe recognized someone from his bus to Aguas Calientes who was by himself and we quickly made friends and invited Mark to hike with us.

The hike was not easy by any means but was intensified by the fact that we were so happy to be sharing the experience with new people who were as excited as we were. We talked a lot on the hike up about our lives, our travels and about our interpretations of Machu and the ruins. We had to crawl at times, using both hands and knees to pull ourselves up and had to use rope ladders going up in a few places to ensure we didn’t fall backwards. We kept taking pictures and mas pictures (probably annoying Joe more than he was willing to admit) and our spirits were so high we probably could have flown off the mountain. One of the guides told us to be careful in one spot where we were taking shots because a person fell off that same spot last year. Libby asked him if he died and the guide said, but of course….uh…we backed off the pictures at that point until we came to a clearing above. A few people were very close to the edge and were making all of us, even Joe, very nervous and sick to our stomachs. We didn’t want to see someone die right in front of us. Then these young boys jumped off and we freaked out but then realized there was a terrace right below….after laughing hysterically for a few moments we of course had top take some silly pictures too.

After about an hour or so, we made it to the top for more spectacular views and spent time taking each others pictures to send home as proof we really made it. We met a few more Americans up top and had a lovely chat before the guide told us we needed to hike back down to allow space for the 10am group. The hike down was a bit more scarey for me….I have big feet for such little stairs and looking straight down was quite intimidating (this time seeing how far you can fall down vs how far you need to hike up) but we made it down and, of course, took more pictures to freeze the moment in time.

It was actually almost emotional to say good bye to my new friends once we completed the hike but after sharing emails and promising to add each other on facebook, we were comfortable with one final hug and we each went our separate ways.

I then said my goodbyes to Machu Picchu and felt as if my journey was truly complete. I was totally filled with adrenaline but was ready to go find Shannon and go back to Cusco for one final day of traveling before visiting Buenos Aires (I also realized I hadn’t even eaten since my breakfast at 430 and my legs were very shaky).

The train ride was perfect….there were literally like 5 people on the train and we had a cerveza to cheers in our victory! Then the workers did a fashion show to techno (I swear they played Tiesto just for me). It felt surreal, listening to techo…drinking a beer…looking out of the windows and having lush green mountains surrounding me on all sides…after a morning with the Incas…perfection! I couldn’t be happier.

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