Machu Picchu

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Sometimes the one thing you think will be the best is actually the worst. I had high hopes for Machu Picchu – no pun intended.

I was hoping to have a peak spiritual or energetic connection to…well, to whatever is there. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is built between two mountain peaks and was home to the Incan empire.

And there’s not much official talk about the spiritual side of the site, other than the fact that the sun touches the Inti Watana stone at key times through the year.

Energetically Disappointing

Energetically speaking, Machu Picchu let me down. The sacred site was covered with bucket-listers, tour groups, teenagers, and frankly, the soul of place was hiding. After two or three hours I was ready to leave.

Yes, the views were spectacular. Machu Picchu is everything you’ve heard about and more, and it is well managed and maintained.

But if you’re hoping to find a connection to the ancient power lines, there are other, less visited archaeological sites where you can feel the call of the Inca, and of the ancients who lived in Peru in the before time. For example, we visited Tipon and Pumamarca and both and beautiful energy.

By all means, don’t take Machu Picchu off of your bucket list. I’ve heard stories of times when it’s not as crowded and you can feel the energy.

I mostly walked around and admired the views.

Stairs at Machu Picchu are steep and uneven.

The weather was stunning: clear blue skies and in the 70s.

Steep terraces. The orange areas are being restored or repaired.

You’re not allowed to go past roped off areas.

Machu Picchu was also swarming with tourists.

And yet, I managed to find a few quiet moments.

Llamas and alpacas graze freely. Tourists are not allowed to feed or touch them.

Agua Calientes

Although the energy at Machu Picchu was disappointing, I enjoyed the tiny tourist town of Agua Calientes (also known as MachuPicchu.) People heading to Machu Picchu blow into town on the train, sleep in a hotel, do Machu Picchu the next day, and leave.

A traveling companion and I had a blast walking around, admiring the scenery, and buying almost everything at the market near the train station. This was definitely the best and largest market for buying tourist apparel I visited; a close second is the market in Pisac. Look for the local food market or take a dip in the hot springs that give the town its name.

A local train goes right down the main street of Agua Calientes.

A chicken admires the roaring river in Agua Calientes.

Rupa Wasi Eco Lodge

I can’t say enough about the hospitality of the Rupa Wasi Eco Lodge and The Tree House Restaurant. Definitely worth walking and down 60 steps!

My trip to Machu Picchu was an add-on to the Women’s Retreat organized by Ashera Sefarty at Luminosity Healing Arts. I’m sure it took a great deal of effort to get set up: two hotels, two trains, entrance to Machu Picchu, and bus ride to Machu Picchu. The retreat was co-organized by Daina Puodziunas Awakened Potentials for Woman.

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