Tag Archives: machu picchu

Another Night, Another City: Aguas Calientes

Dinner in Aguas Calientes, after exploring Machu Picchu

These stickers say "here, respect the woman" and "stop the violence against women"

We spent the night after exploring Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, the last town before taking the bus up to the mountains. As you stroll the cobblestoned streets where only pedestrians can pass at night, you see lots of restaurants, filled mostly with tourists, playing games of chess at their tables. Most of us had aji de gallina, Liz’s favorite Peruvian dish. Aguas Calientes also has a plaza and a church, but much more humble than Cuzco’s. We saw two schools around the plaza, though both were closed for the national holidays this past week in Peru. Next week schools open nationally and we will visit some in Lima — maybe even guest teach some English classes!

But what we really want to show you are these pro-women stickers spotted in Aguas Calientes. In Lima, we’ll be going into more depth of what it’s like being a typical girl and a woman in Peru, when we stay with Cynthia and Liz’s relatives.

Tell us what you know about Lima and if you have any recs for us! Remember, we are going to be shadowing three non-profits there and visiting schools — can’t wait!

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She's the First 360 at Machu Picchu!

Tammy and Cynthia atop the Inca's city of Machu Picchu

Tammy and Cynthia atop the Inca's city of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was discovered only 99 years ago by a 36-year-old adventurer from Yale, the inspiration behind the character of Indiana Jones — Hiriam Bingham. Today it’s considered a Wonder of the World and the reason why most people visit Peru. If you haven’t been, She’s the First will take you on the climb in our mini documentary to come — Manny recorded hours of footage!

Machu Picchu is one of the last cities the Incas built before the Spanish conquered their rich civilization. No one really knows why exactly it was built, but there is plenty of evidence of its religious significance — temples and alters made of rock are everywhere.

You already know from our earlier post that the Inca’s held wise beliefs — underscoring the importance of taking care of yourself and determination for reaching a goal…but they weren’t perfect. I was horrified to learn from our guide that the Incas sacrificed children to their gods on occasion, and I was disappointed that girls were separated from the boys, only to learn how to be good wives. But the Incas were advanced in other areas, like architecture (all those stones held together for hundreds of years without cement!) and astronomy (they understood the solstices and built structures to cast just the right shadows).

llamas llamas everywhere in Peru -- always grazing Machu Picchu!

llamas llamas everywhere in Peru -- always grazing Machu Picchu!

By the average Peruvian living standards, it costs a fortune to travel to and explore Machu Picchu. By NYC standards, it costs about as much as a pair of Broadway tickets. It would be brilliant if the Peruvian government or bureau of tourism invested a percentage of their profits into a fund to build schools in remote areas of Peru, so that not only tourists get educated, but local communities in need would too. A tourism model that supports Peru’s natural wonders AND nurtures their future leaders would be ideal. We’re going to research this more, but so far the only give-back option we know of is fundraising hikes, like this one that supports Peruvian Hearts and the very orphanage we visited two days ago in Anta, el Hogar.

Have any of you been to Machu Picchu? Tell us what you think!

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