Grass Cutting Done by Hand with Machetes and other Machu Picchu, Peru General Tips

Favorite Thing: On day 2 at Machu Picchu, we climbed toward the Gate of the Sun so that we could enter Machu Picchu much the way the Incas would have 600 years ago. On our way there, we passed several workers cutting the grass on the terraces by hand with machetes. Coming from a land of lawnmowers, this struck us as odd and laborious. However, the more we thought about the idea, the more we liked it. Sure, it was labor-intensive and (maybe) expensive to employ hords of men to keep the grass short, but isn't Machu Picchu a more pleasant place without the buzz of lawnmower engines or the clouds of exhaust? Yes, it certainly is.


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Favorite Thing: We read several times that it is impossible to take a bad photo of Machu Picchu. Well, since we took over 400 pictures, I'm sure that the adage is false. However, Machu Picchu provides the opportunity to takle some really beautiful photos just by using the ruins themselves. Frame the mountain scenary with a window. Use a door to outline some llamas. You will be impressed just how good your pictures look.


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Favorite Thing: As you enter the gates of Machu Picchu after paying your $20 fee, you will see signs prohibiting all sorts of items, including walking sticks and backpacks. Since the weather was on-and-off rain, we bristled atthe idea of checking our daypacks (there is a place just before the gate), because we wanted to carry rain jackets, sweaters and umbrellas with us (not to memtion water). Then we noticed a group in front of us go through with their packs unmolested. So we kept our daypacks on and got our tickets stamped as if we hadn't read the sign. Guess what! No one said anything! So we entered Machu Picchu every day with our backpacks and never had a problem.
Maybe the rule applies only to large frame packs that backpackers would wear. Anyway, this is excellent news because its always prudent to carry clothing for weather changes and water to prevent dehydration. We couldn't imagine climbing Huayna Picchu without carrying some water.


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Favorite Thing: As you wander around Machu Picchu, you will notice several different types of doorway structures. Some have double jambs, others have structures that seem to function as rudimentary hinges. But, equally impressive is the fact that many are still standing in a seismicly active region 600 years after their construction. In fact, Machu Picchu lies on a fault -- but you wouldn't know it from the sturdiness of the doorways.
Aside from being fine engineers, the Incas were also concerned with aesthetics. Many of these well-built doorways artistically frame mountain views.


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