machu picchu, peru

Macchu Pichu really is an amazing sight. We didn't do a tour as we have been to a few Incan and Mayan ruins now. We were just satisfied with imagining how these people's belief in the gods led them to build this incredible structure on the tallest mountain they could find.


The nearby town Aguas Caliente, however wasn't enjoyable. In a nutshell, it's insanely overpriced, has terrible food and tacky touristy markets. The town has plastered photos and the name of Macchu Pichu over everything. In some respects you think, "Can you blame them? The town is right next to one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world." And then in other respects you think, "Get me out of here."

We were forced to pay $83 (American!) just to leave because there is no other option except their overpriced train. They tell you that there is a traditional dance and fashion show on the train, and that the train is a "vista dome". By traditional dance they mean a dude wearing a mask and by fashion show they mean that the staff will walk up and down the aisle selling jumpers....



... and by "vista dome" they mean that there is a small window on the roof to enhance your view from the train, Kassandra's seat had a huge window pillar right in the middle of her view, it was pretty average.