Gill from Peru #3

Mike and I are now in Aguas Calientes, a small town at the base of Machu Pichu mountain. We´ve spent today at Machu Pichu taking in the beautiful site. It´s absolutely jaw dropping. Amazing to think that they built such a huge city with only manpower. Only pictures will do it justice.
Some of the highlights from the trail-
-our amazing porters...this men ranging in age from 21 to 50 were astonishingly strong. they RAN the trail with packs of 25kg...at altitude.
crazy.
-the terrain and flora along the trail was remarkable. the area started off in a very arid dry river valley and climbed up and up and up....with the climatic region seeming to change with every kilometer (44k in total) -three mountain passes including dead woman´s pass...mostly a seriese of stairs going up up up...to 4520m. It´s crazy how short of breath you feel at altitude...it´s a whole other world!
-our wicked guide Pepe...he was awesome and very knowledgable.
-the food all carried by porters an cooked by our amazing cook. Three course meals for lunch and dinner...in a dining tent at tables and chairs carried by the porters. I felt like a pampered princess.
-mike´s birthday day three of the trail...and a surprise birthday cake and song by the whole gang...wicked!
-walking down 2000 stairs in succession...it seemed like way more.
-waking up to the peruvian andes
-more stars than I´ve ever seen.
-the sideways moon....southern hemesphere.
-realizing that the fastest time someone has ever RUN this trail was in 3hr 20min. CRAZY...
Norm...there is a marathon here every year...you´re the only person I know crazy enough to take it on...what do you think!!!
Gotta catch a train....thinking of you all!
Gill in Aguas Caliantes, Peru.