[游记]Peru–NotjustMachuPicchu秘鲁游记

Peru – Not just Machu Picchu 秘鲁游记

去秘鲁, 是因为马丘比丘, 源于幼时的梦想, 梦想中它是一个神秘的古城, 历经风霜后保留下来的印加文明的见证. 去过秘鲁, 明白了那里不仅仅只有马丘比丘, 还有印加帝国的首都Cusco, 一个游离在过往与现代, 忙碌于游人和印加后裔中的城市. 除了印加文明, 亚马逊河也慷慨地流经了秘鲁的腹地, 热带丛林的深邃与博大, 再一次印证了自然的伟大以及人类的渺小. 这次没能去到南部, 无法亲眼见到Nazca lines的壮阔, 无法漫步于Puno蔚蓝的湖边. 秘鲁有着神秘的过去, 朴实的印加人, 西班牙殖民者留下的文字/建筑/后裔, 还有亚马逊流域绵延的热带丛林. 一个面积一百三十万平方公里, 人口不足三千万的国家, 给了我们如此多的可观/可赏/可体验. 但是, 我也第一次明白了所谓的印加文明, 不过是500年前的产物, 与同时代东方的宋朝, 以及西方的文艺复兴时期相比, 那些印加的古城(包括马丘比丘)还有所谓的神秘Nazca线条实在是微不足道. 走近了, 看清了, 也就明了了. 也许这就是为什么古人告诫我们既要读万卷书也要行万里路吧.

Machu Picchu, my childhood dreamland, was the impulse of going to Peru. However, Peru is more than Machu Picchu after one actually visits there. Cusco, Nazca lines, Amazon jungle, Puno lake are all among the musts to see. Peru has the mysterious past, genuine Incan people, colonial architecture, breathtaking nature, and more. Though much poorer than China, Peru offers a much greener environment; not sure whether becoz of its less industrialized economy or becoz of the government’s efforts to preserve nature. However, what strikes me is Inca civilization was only 500 years ago, almost the same period of China’s Song Dynasty and post-Renaissance era in Europe. Putting Inca Empire into its historic context, the so-called Inca civilization and mysterious remains are really nothing special. My whole trip itinerary:

Day 1: New York – Bogota – Lima. The snow storm in March made a lot of trouble to fellow students traveling those days. Luckily my flight didn’t cancel; unfortunately, I got to Lima at 2am the next day, with the flight supposed to land at 4pm in the afternoon

Day 2: Lima – Cusco. In Lima, a short morning walking in Miraflores district of the capital city, the nice love park at seaside, newly developed middle-class residential area, plus 70’s Beetle still in use everywhere. Cusco, Inca band with Guinea pig (cuy) and Pisco Sour (a local cocktail)

Day 3: Archeological sites in Cusco. Whole day hiking, delicious seafood at unbelievably low price, touring at the local market, more than 70 types of potatos

Day 4: Sacred Valley, including Pisac (Inca tombs on mountains) and Ollantaytambo (gateway to Machu Picchu, connecting the highland and jungle)

Day 5: Machu Picchu. Finally and luckily

Day 6: Puerto Maldonado. The capital city of the Amazon area. 1.5-hr boat ride on Rio Madre de Rios. Muddy monkey island, rare spider monkeys showed up for bananas. Not successful night cruise for animals

Day 7: Hiking in the jungle for 6 hours, starting at 5:00am in the morning, the toughest day in the whole trip, though very rewarding as well. Visiting a local family living in jungles

Day 8: Puerto Maldonado – Cusco – Lima – Bogota – NYC. Another long day back to the US.