CHAPTER 4

The other hikers we met on the trek were so fun, and there was a general feeling of comeraderie as we all hiked along.
Passing on the trail, one would commonly hear "hey canada!", followed by "hey denmark!", greetings between newfound friends.
The porters were the real heroes of the trek, as we'd watch men who looked old enough to be my grandfather run by with full tanks of propane on their backs. One set of stairs that, to me, looked more like a waterslide, took about 10 minutes to get down as we tried to find decent footholds and not slip. Shortly after I reached the bottom, two porters came with packs three times the size of mine and literally ran straight down the steps. oh, shame.
After everything we accomplished on the hike: the heights, lengths, and sheer physical work it took to complete, Machu Picchu was almost anticlimactic. So many goals had been accomplished just getting there.
The city, however, is still remarkable. THe Incas' knowledge of engineering was incredible and is displayed in their seismic-minded buildings, perfectly formed, each stone fitting perfectly and smoothly together without mortar. Their knowledge of agriculture was also unmatched as they made terraces to grow crops where there should only be rocky landslides.
The sheer labour and also the artistry of the city, complete withe water systems and botanical gradens, was amazing.
After Machu Picchu, we made out way back to Aguas Calientes and proceeded to sit onthe sidewalk, eat snacks, and play cards ("like hippies!", ricardo exclaimed happily, except his spanish accent made it sound lik "heeepies").