Peru – Home is Here

I wonder if it was because the Pisac site was the first Incan archeological site that we visited, well ever, or if Pisac was and is that magical. I’m going to go with the latter, because I feel pretty confident that we all felt immense awe while walking through the rain slicked, cliff hugging, stone walkways, looking out onto the sweeping, agricultural terraces carved into the mountain and the valley down below.

Just as we arrived to the site, early in the am, Isabel decided it was a good time to refuse to be carried and to cry and wail as if she were being tortured. My fellow travelers shot me dirty looks and I could feel their judgement. I briefly doubted the intelligence of bringing a toddler on this type of trip. I got over that quickly and decided to let Isabel run around a bit before entering and so I missed some introductory information about the site. This area was used for religious, military and agricultural purposes. It’s location, high in the mountains, with clear sight lines of the valley down below, had obvious strategic benefits as you could see anyone coming to attack. Upon entering the site, you are faced with your first views of the curving terraces which were used for agriculture as well as to protect against erosion.

First views of the terraces

It started to rain and Isabel happily let me put her in the carrier, where she burrowed her head into my warm chest and sort of dozed. At this point, there were a few other tourists, not too many, but we certainly weren’t alone. The rain got stronger and we had a choice to either head back to the car or to continue walking to see the rest of the site – a good hour walk. Once we started, we would be unable to go back.

What to do? I wanted to continue, but I didn’t want Isabel to get soaked in the rain. We stood underneath an ancient stone doorway, while I debated. The rain had been much stronger, but seemed to be letting up, although there was no way to know for certain. I took a chance and decided to continue on.

I’m so glad that I did.

First of all, I doubt that my limited writing ability can describe just how beautiful and amazing the site was. Secondly, the rain scared everyone else away and aside from a guard, 2 young Peruvian girls selling bracelets and a Peruvian man selling flutes, we were the only other people there. It was silent, calm, peaceful, mystical, stunning.

As we walked up a stone staircase, the unmistakeable sound of the traditional Andean flute floated down. At the top of the staircase an old Peruvian man, wearing a chullo (I mean, it was just so so perfect really) was sitting and playing the flute. He had a backpack of them and was selling them, of course. They were pretty nice and so we bought one for my father. He claimed that he made them himself. I’d like to believe him.

Man with flute

The site winds around and up to the top of the mountain, each turn revealing more stunning views of the terraces. I was pretty enamored of the terraces. They just were so impressive and some are still being used to this day! There are also ceremonial houses, houses where people lived, impressive stone walls and stone waterways throughout the site.

As I mentioned earlier, my writing ability is not sufficient, so I will let the photos speak for themselves.