Week 7: Fútbol y Machu Picchu

Week 6 was a hard act to follow, so forgive me if this one isn't quite as engaging.

Monday

My only class was cancelled, so I did not even leave the house. Just worked away on the blog.

Tuesday

I went out with a few ISA students that night to watch the USA v. Perú game. The US was the first on the board, but the game ended as a tie (1-1).

Wednesday

My week of soccer continued. Papa Jesús, some Cusqueños, the ISA dudes, and I played a little 3 v. 3. It was intense and really fun. Some locals made a Maudric comment, and that boosted my confidence and led to some goal scoring. For the next few days, my body reminded me how little intense exertion I have done up here.

A Bundle of Joy

Thursday

It's the little things that remind me that I'm in a developing country. Like seeing two people on a motorcycle with a tv sandwiched between them. 

Thursday night I joined my Anthropology class buddies for a conquest: the Terminator pizza. Papa Jesús advised me that it was a pizza for 8; we're 4 strong. After 45 grueling minutes of sheer gluttony, the deed was done. It may remain one of the greatest accomplishments of our study abroad life thus far.

Friday

Chilled, took it easy in observance of the upcoming trip to Machu Picchu.

Saturday

We arrived early at ISA for our multi-part trip to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. I mostly slept on the bus ride to Ollantaytambo. We'd been here before during our Sacred Valley trip, but we took a much different route this time to get to the train station.

Awaking in Ollantaytambo, almost nothing looked familiar. The mist shrouded mountains, verdant slopes, and tropical feel contrasted heavily with my recollection of a mostly dry Andean village. The rains have initiated their transformation. 

We arrived early, so we all piddled around for a bit. I looked for birds to pass the time.

Our Ride

Finally we all boarded the train. It was pretty exciting, and the similarity to the Polar Express was not lost on us.

From the Inside

I can't say that I really enjoyed the train ride. I was in a rear-facing aisle seat. The train also stopped a bunch. Eventually I just dozed off.

When I awoke, we were in Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu is always revered for its unusual geographical placement. Aguas Calientes is also curiously fixated in the valley by the roaring Urubamaba River. Huge granite escarpments plastered with epiphytes tower over the small cluster of civilization.

Passing by storefronts and restaurants on the way to our nice hotel, we begin to realize that A.C. is a Jenga town. Every street side table is complete with this nail-biter of a game.

Before long we're making our way to a nature park on foot. Paralleling the River, my buddies point out some intriguing birds. Just like that, I pick up three of my major Peruvian targets!

Male Torrent Duck!

White-capped Dipper

Distant female Andean Cock-of-the Rock on the nest: The National Bird!

The contrast between the wildness of the avifauna and the condition of the River is stark. Seeing jewels of the humid Andes alongside the heavy machinery that is literally positioned on the riverbanks is difficult to reckon.

Onwards towards the park. We hug the rail line as the intimidating machines blaze past. Every now and then we drop a coin on the rail for a DIY souvenir. 

The park is a neat little spot with a fast-flowing stream and lots of vegetation. I pick up a few more interesting birds before we reach the waterfall, the main draw.

Cataratas

With my buddy Eli

It was a cold dip, and the rains kicked in just as we made our exit. Needless to say, it was a long, cold, and wet walk back to the hotel. I think I caught something on the way back.

10 Lifers on the day.

Sunday

Maybe my head just wasn't in it, but I didn't love Machu Picchu. Frankly, I don't really want to write about the day. 

It's like the Grand Canyon: something so incredible with such an incomprehensible history should not be experienced with such efficiency. Work needs to be done; there needs to be a journey. The journey is a huge part of the experience. I mean, how much work did the Incas have to do to produce this priceless piece of human heritage? They built the city in an inaccessible place, but it didn't feel inaccessible. 

A Social Flycatcher bids me farewell

A week of 11 lifers.