My Meeting with One of the Seven Wonders

Have you ever seen something that took your breath away? I remember perfectly the day this happened. I am not a person who has a long history of travel, nor am I a travel expert. I am sure that if this place impressed me so much, this could also happen to someone else. The mysticism, culture and my roots combined with the anecdotes I was about to live, made this trip worthwhile regardless of the obstacles. It was my second time I visited Machu Picchu, the first was when I was just a child, so this time I consider as my first time. My grandparents are from the city where Machu Picchu is located, my mom and uncles grew up there as well, and every single time we get there is special for us because we meet with family that we don’t usually meet because we live in a different city. The most important thing for me is having a good time with family such as going out to eat, playing sports and visiting amazing places like Machu Picchu.

My family and I live in the city of Lima, which is 1 hour by plane to the city of Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located. Once we arrive in Cusco by plane, we have to board a train that leaves from a nearby and very beautiful station. There are three types of trains with three different fares, the most expensive of them offers a variety of food and views that are simply beautiful, while the cheapest one only includes transportation to the small town at the foot of the mountain. I remember that when we were traveling on the train, there was a show for all the passengers that represented the typical dances of Peru. That moment was very fun since we all participated in that dance where we took many photos to remember. Once you arrive at the town you can take a rest and leave the next day towards the top of the mountain where it will be necessary to take a bus which has an expensive fare and offers nothing to passengers except transportation to the mountain summit.

So far, we had thought that the most difficult part of the trip would be transportation, but we were not prepared for the big problem with the tickets. These tickets have 3 different fares, the first and most economical is for people who were born in the city of Cusco, the second fare is only for Peruvians and the third is for foreigners. We had not imagined that tickets must be booked through the website of the cultural complex. I remember that my uncle called a friend who worked in that place so he could help us, so this man gave us some special passes which were carefully checked by those in the main entrance. At the end of everything we could enter relieved not to have missed the beautiful views of Machu Picchu.
When you walk through the main entrance, you will be able to visualize the famous mountain, the one that appears in all the photos and videos. That view makes you feel that you have really arrived in Machu Picchu. That day there were many people taking pictures. My older brother wanted to take the typical photo but when he was close to doing it 3 people sneaked in before him. When he tried again someone else appeared to steal his place. When that picture was finally taken, he felt happy because it had been a perfect picture, it looked like those travel cards that you get at travel agencies.

The Machu Picchu cultural complex is more than beautiful views, it is also a set of constructions that was ordered to be built by the maximum authority of the empire called ‘’El Inca ‘’. The reason for the construction of this place is not clear. Some studies say it was built as a place of rest although others say that this place has a religious purpose. Many people have the habit of engraving their names in stones that are part of some constructions. A teenager about seventeen years old who was accompanied by two more friends tried to scratch the stones with their names, until they were discovered by a guard who said these words: ‘’Do you not love your culture? This is not a place to visit but it is an important legacy that we must take care of’’ Those words deepened a lot that day.

Many people who were there that day were foreigners. People from many countries around the world visit Machu Picchu. These foreigners were amazed by the incredible place, beautiful views and the enigmatic meaning of everything they see there. A couple of American husbands told my parents that this trip had been one of their dreams for a long time and that they decided to travel due to their wedding anniversary in order to visit Machu Picchu. It was very nice to see many local people from all over the country who came only to know their culture and why the history developed in this place.

This place is very important for me because it allows me to know about my roots, my culture and have a good time as a family. I clearly remember when how I got to this place, I felt amazed and moved. I am completely sure that my journey was worth it. Everything I saw there took my breath out and the most important thing that I learned there was if anything can surprise you. it will be special for you forever.