Sunday, December 03, 2006

The Ancient Inca Ruins of Cuzco, Peru

My wife and I decided that for my 40^th birthday, we’d go to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Peru and see the great wonders of the Inca civilization at Machu Picchu.  We flew out of Miami on a flight Sunday afternoon and arrived late, around 10:30 p.m. in Lima, Peru.  

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Early in the morning, we took a flight from Lima, which we have not yet really seen, to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital.  The flight was indescribable.  It was beautiful as you ascend the Andes Mountains, which are snow covered.  And then Cuzco arrived, you see it from the top, and it’s a completely fascinating city. 

 

We were taken to a hotel, called Hotel Monasterio, which is actually a large monastery, built in the 1590s.  It’s sort of surprising that they were able to convert it into a hotel, but I’m not complaining, because staying in it is just fascinating.  You can see the pictures on their website: http://www.monasterio.orient-express.com

 

During our tour of the city, we began with the cathedral, which is the 8^th church the Spanish built when they conquered the Incas in the 1530s.  The church is absolutely enormous, and the architecture takes precedence.  Since I’m Jewish, it is extremely controversial with the many, many icons and images of Jesus and Mary and other symbolic figures, contrary to a synagogue, mosque or Protestant church, for that matter. 

 

After that we went to a place which defined the most important ancient Inca ruin made in Cusco, and it’s called Qorikancha.  We could see the Inca buildings that are 600 years old, and they’re made of the most incredible Basalt stone, and there’s no more to them than putting the stones together, no cement or glue.  This is the reason why earthquakes cannot harm the buildings, because the stones can actually move with the tremors.  When the Spanish came, they built buildings, so much of which have been destroyed because they used mortar.  The Incas also used trapezoidal architecture so the buildings were stronger and have very deep foundations.  Other civilizations can not compare, because the ancient Inca architecture is quite superior.  The Spanish built the Convent of Santo Domingo on top of an Inca ruins, but I’m pretty sure they just put plaster over them to cover the walls.

 

We then traveled to Saqsaywaman and went to a giant temple, built from stones.  At Saqsaywaman, the builders threw stones together without any kind of mortar.  It’s amazing how they could’ve even moved them.  Because the Incas did not have any plans in writing, it remains a mystery, and we don’t have any answers.  The stones have the craziest shapes, like enormous pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  This is truly amazing.

 

I’m not someone who enjoys buying touristy trinkets at places that I go.  I realize that most of those purchases are things that you’re going to throw out immediately.  And yet here, in the Andes, surrounded by these Inca ruins, I’ve purchased cute little sweaters and hats and scarves for my kids and for myself.  I never do these kinds of things, because I get bored with stuff too quickly.  But the craftsmanship is so beautiful and the prices are unbelievably cheap.  I purchased a beautiful llama alpaca scarf for five dollars.  It beats the Thanksgiving sale at Macy’s. 

 

We spent the day going to more Inca ruins.  I’m amazed that up until I came here, I had never even heard about Cuzco.  I’ve heard of Machu Picchu, but who’s heard of Cuzco?  It is truly one of the most fabulous cities on earth.  The hotel that we’re staying at, the Monasterio, defies description.  It is amazing that you can actually stay in a 16^th century monastery in South America. 

 

Dictated from Peru and unchecked prior to being posted on-line.  Please excuse any errors or omissions.