We wake up early in the morning and go to Machu Picchu with PeruRail. The weather is nice and sunny. We proceed through the canyon by train; A stream flows next to us. As the valley narrows, the stream accelerates.
When we get off the train, we travel uphill for about 20 minutes. The minibuses that skillfully go over the edge of the cliff are getting higher and higher. Frankly, it's a little creepy.
In the past, these lands were tropical forests before the ice age. Then comes the ice age. Then the glaciers melt and the dead plants become compost. As the glaciers on the mountain melt, minerals descend into the valley and the soil becomes very fertile. The color of the soil is black; Potatoes and corn also love this.
We descend approximately 100 meters every 2 kilometers. As you descend towards the riverside, the climate changes and the weather gets warmer.
Machu Picchu was used as a kind of customs, storage and government office between those coming from the Amazon and those living in the mountains. Food from Amazon was stored here. 300-500 people live here; the population, including employees, could reach up to 1000 people.
Hiram Bingham found this place in 1911. He is a professor at Yale and is said to have inspired the Indiana Jones character. While exploring Inca settlements, especially for gold, he discovers Machu Picchu. It's a bit disappointing for him because what he finds isn't gold; human bones, buildings and pottery.
There is an observatory for astrology and astronomy. They set up observation areas to study the summer and winter solstices. Just as the light coming from the windows of the temples shows the solstices, they keep track of the time and calendar with the stone indicators placed inside. This is where the Inca calendar comes from.
Inca architecture is very hierarchically distinct. Large stone structures belong to high-ranking people such as clergy and chiefs; the employees' buildings are made of smaller stones.
Water and drainage systems are very advanced. With terraces, the structure is strengthened and agriculture is carried out. They established water systems similar to the Roman period. The water coming from the mountain top or the spring first goes to the house of the noble, noble or ruling class; it is then transmitted to other regions through channels.
By the way, Machu Picchu is actually the name of the mountain, not the name of the settlement.
What surprised us:
The beauty of the mountains and the greenery is very impressive. They made a forested and mountainous area suitable for agriculture. The fact that it is closed and in touch with nature, that it follows the seasonal changes, and that its stone workmanship is truly impressive.
I congratulate the whole family for getting this far. Although there are people who follow the Inca Trail on foot for four days or one day, I think ours is also praiseworthy. We climbed so many places.
I admired the Inca people once again. They lived at that altitude and carried everything on their backs. When llamas carry more than 20 kilos, they sit on the ground.
I felt a little tired on the return journey. The high mountains began to cast shadows, which cooled the air slightly.
In the evening, we stay at the Monasterio Hotel in Cusco. A very impressive hotel with a large courtyard, formerly used as a monastery. With the photographs of cardinals and priests on the walls, it looks like it's back in the 16th century.
Even though we are very tired, we go out. Due to both the altitude and the season, the weather is very cold, we are literally freezing. Lack of oxygen also makes breathing difficult and makes people tired.
Cusco, an ancient Inca city, was plundered when the Spaniards came and turned it into a colonial city. These Spaniards have no place to sleep.
The old city is very beautiful. It is very impressive with its huge cathedral and square. But the surroundings of Cusco are like slums; it's like two cities in one. Inside is the old city protected by UNESCO, and on the periphery is the crooked urbanization and bad buildings resembling Gaziosmanpaşa, where today's people live.
We find a nice taco shop in Cusco square and finish the night. Thanks to Berfin, our food choices are very comfortable thanks to him.
I like corn beer Chicha the most. They make corn like our compote and drink it. It is a drink with approximately 4 percent alcohol that even children drink.
There is also coca tea; I loved it too. It is good for altitude and gives energy.