Sunday, August 06, 2006
Lost Worlds
Machu Picchu & The Sacred Valley
Walking into Machu Picchu was, for me, one of those unrepeatable "first" expericences that will live with me forever. Having wandered around many ruins over the previous week or so, I had developed an expectation that I would see some fairly impressive stuff, but the vastness and preservation of the site is utterly amazing. It was made all the better by being virtually the first onto the site that morning - I have to report that I was sad enough to insist that Norwegian Chris rehearse the route to the bus stop from our hotel with me the night before...I was, obviously, annoyingly excited!! And here's a picture of me looking vaguely stunned by the whole experience.
Other unforgettable "firsts" in my life include:
First artistic performance (smell of the greasepaint): As a shepperd in St Michaels Nativity Play, aged 6, led on stage by sweaty palmed angel played by Victoria Chomerton.
First time in the stands (roar of the crowd): Boxing Day 1984 Fulham at home to Sheffield United (2:0) - bit of a late starter with footy and never much of a fan, because:
First concert (smell of the crowd): The Clash, Thursday 22/10/1981, at the Lyceum, and the start of my relationship with tinnitus.
...and lots more "firsts" in later life, but my mum reads this blog so this'll do for now...
If you're going to visit Machu Picchu, (especially in high season) allow at least half a day to wander around Cusco getting your train tickets, bus tickets, and entry tickets from three different locations in town. Get your train tickets first, then ask where to go to get the bus and entry tickets. If you decide to get bus and entry tickets down the track NOTE you can't get entry tickets at the site, you have to buy them in Aguas Calientes.
After returning to Cusco we wandered around the Sacred Valley to some more Inca sites, which I likened to having a Mr Whippy after having feasted on Ben & Jerry's, so we left for Lima, which is not in "darkest Peru", although very foggy at this time of year. The 9 million inhabitants of the city, a third of the country's poulation, crowd the town, and everyone seems to drive a cab for extra cash.
Overheard on the street, (OK, it was Norwegian Chris in response to my suggestion we visit one of the many casinos in Lima) : "Why would I spend money on that when I could use it to buy cake!?!?"
Walking into Machu Picchu was, for me, one of those unrepeatable "first" expericences that will live with me forever. Having wandered around many ruins over the previous week or so, I had developed an expectation that I would see some fairly impressive stuff, but the vastness and preservation of the site is utterly amazing. It was made all the better by being virtually the first onto the site that morning - I have to report that I was sad enough to insist that Norwegian Chris rehearse the route to the bus stop from our hotel with me the night before...I was, obviously, annoyingly excited!! And here's a picture of me looking vaguely stunned by the whole experience.Other unforgettable "firsts" in my life include:
First artistic performance (smell of the greasepaint): As a shepperd in St Michaels Nativity Play, aged 6, led on stage by sweaty palmed angel played by Victoria Chomerton.
First time in the stands (roar of the crowd): Boxing Day 1984 Fulham at home to Sheffield United (2:0) - bit of a late starter with footy and never much of a fan, because:
First concert (smell of the crowd): The Clash, Thursday 22/10/1981, at the Lyceum, and the start of my relationship with tinnitus.
...and lots more "firsts" in later life, but my mum reads this blog so this'll do for now...
If you're going to visit Machu Picchu, (especially in high season) allow at least half a day to wander around Cusco getting your train tickets, bus tickets, and entry tickets from three different locations in town. Get your train tickets first, then ask where to go to get the bus and entry tickets. If you decide to get bus and entry tickets down the track NOTE you can't get entry tickets at the site, you have to buy them in Aguas Calientes.
After returning to Cusco we wandered around the Sacred Valley to some more Inca sites, which I likened to having a Mr Whippy after having feasted on Ben & Jerry's, so we left for Lima, which is not in "darkest Peru", although very foggy at this time of year. The 9 million inhabitants of the city, a third of the country's poulation, crowd the town, and everyone seems to drive a cab for extra cash.Overheard on the street, (OK, it was Norwegian Chris in response to my suggestion we visit one of the many casinos in Lima) : "Why would I spend money on that when I could use it to buy cake!?!?"
# posted by Barney @ 5:52 pm 
