UNO Peru Study Abroad 2014: June 12th

Today was an absolutely mind blowing experience. We went on our visit to the the Inka's City Machu Picchu. It is located in the highland jungle which is also called the cloud forest. Because we were visiting in the dry season especially, it was foggy and humid. The name itself means all mountain but the famous professor that rediscovered this site referred to it as the lost city of the inkas.
The pictures help to show that they believe no more than 500 people lived there and the main owners were an aristocrat royal family. The land used to be full of vegetation and everything was based around farming and agriculture. One significant site that we were unable to take part in was the magnificant trail. This trail was discocered as being the best example of an Incan trail. They also present the ceremonial rock in the exhibit which archeaologists found different types of rock within it in which the Incans believed it gave off a sacred energy.
The first step of the Incas to build this was leveling. They were masters of artchitecture and would fit there types of sculpting to the sides of the mountain. They would only carve three sides of the rock when building in order to leave the top of the rock to fit the shape of the next one placed. They worshiped the nature and thought of the eartth as their mother. To worship afterlife, caves were known as the uterus of the mother and tombs were built inside those caves. The person was embalmed and it was important to keep them after they passed away.
The pictures or videos that one may look at online of Machu Picchu will never do it justice. Its not only what you see but what you experience and stepping foot on this site was a magnificant experience. The vibe and the feeling that one can gain just from being in that place leaves you breathless. I would recommend everyone and anyone to take the chance to experience such an overwhelming place and see what once was.