Machupicchu

Machupicchu "old mountain" and Wynapicchu "new mountain" craddle the site of "The Lost City" of the Inkas.  Standing strong on a remote mountaintop, it is the most interesting and spectular thing I have ever seen.

The forest grows quickly here, even in these high elevations.  When the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham was guided to the site by a local boy in 1911, it was completely covered by dense foliage.

The Incan Enpire was strong from the 12th century to the early 15th.  They were a rich civilization, brilliantly connected to mother earth.  Their gods were the elements- the sun (fire), water, air, earth, etc.  They were forever grateful for their surroundings and were so in-tuned with nature that they healed ailments with local plants and oriented structures in regards to the rising sun and the stars.  Cusco was the center of the commerce and government aspects of the civilization, Machupicchu was their temple.

Incan history was never documented so it is deeply steeped in mystery and myth.  All we have to tell their story are their buildings which have seemed to hold the test of time.  Built on the slopes of the highlands, stone steps lead up to this stone fortress.  Terraced platforms ascend the entire mountain, which held various crops, depending on the elevation.  The Lost City has stone houses and temples.  The stone work is impeccable.  The rock quarry above the city was were they received the resource.  Using rock hammers, wood, and water they sliced giant rocks into a little less than giant bricks.  These bricks were rubbed perfectly smooth by smaller rocks by dedicated community members.  It is said their was no slavery, but a tax system which afforded all this labor.

It is easy to imagine them at work.  As I walk around the grounds I can almost see the Incans living life.  Shaman mixing their medicines in stone bowls, women rubbing small stones against the giant ones, men creating mortor and lining the stones as perfect puzzle pieces, scientists discussing constelations, etc.
The energetic vibration of this land is high, the connection to the earth can still be felt by its visitors!
"They built this place not for this life, but the next." Javiar explains to us.  I offer the idea that they are in and living again as the animals, the roaming lamas and condors.  He suggests that they are here, living again in each of us.

Javiar tells their story with the same passion the Inkas built their structures.  Dedicated strength (represented by the puma), universal wisdom (the snake), and a connection to the elevated divine (the condor).  Thankful to be reminded again, of the truths I desire to acknowledge in my daily life.

namaste!