Like a carnival procession ... Only without carnival and with better music ... That's the 16th of July here in the area ... He is consecrated to Our Lady "Our Lady on Mount Carmel" (everybody knows that ?!).
And in a country where Catholicism (which mixes with the traditional belief in nature) is also called a party, people in the most colorful costumes roam the streets, accompanied by the great pressure music of Peruvian brass bands.
Of course, we did not know all this when we arrived at Aguas Calientes (the village on foot of Machu Picchu). But no matter, there is something to look at.
Each disguise plays a role and the beautiful: even after the procession, the brass bands continue to move through the village and there is always opportunity to dance. Well, to watch it in my case.
The next day: humid-drizzle-cloudy. So the necessary mystical atmosphere to walk to the most famous Inca citadel, Machu Picchu. So we miss the tourist crowds in the shuttle buses and make the visit a full day of hiking.
The citadel was built by the Incas about 600 years ago and was "rediscovered" just over 100 years ago (at that time two families lived there and other locals knew about it, but apart from that no one was interested in it).
The complex is, despite the tourist rush, incredibly impressive! I'll leave it at the amateurish remark, that alone the idea, there, between these slopes and gorges, in the middle of the slope, to put down this one city, quite ingenious and insane at the same time. For more serious and detailed information on Machu Picchu you can ask this Internet, which everyone is talking about.
We had timely tickets for the ascent of the Waynapicchu secured, this is the smaller mountain directly to the citadel. The hike is definitely an experience not only because of the view of Machu Picchu (mountain and citadel), but also because of the views of the Urubamba Valley, absolutely fantastic!
Bonus photo today: Lama tough in flirting mode
Thanks to Marieke for additional pictures!
