First I want tot share a local custom. When building a house, once the roof is in place, they put 2 clay bulls on the roof line to bring health and prosperity to the family. This one shows some urns with the Bulls but the majority of them have a cross with a ladder leaning on it.
This one is blurry as we were driving down the road.
We visited the pottery studio of Pablo Seminario. He is known around the world for his creations and has several pieces in the Chicago Field Museum and Smithsonian. They showed us the process used to make each piece of pottery by hand.
His most famous design is the flying angel.
Pablo himself talked to us about his creations and the style he is doing today.
We then headed to the train station to board our train to go through the mountains to Machu Picchu.
Mary Beth and I having some fun.
The mountainous scenery on the train ride was phenomenal. The train tracks run along the Urubamba River.
I could hear this white water calling my name but was assured by Juan that it is impossible to navigate.
A mule train taking items up the mountain.
Some old Inca ruins on the mountain side.
We arrived at Machu Picchu in mid-afternoon. It is an Incan settlement in the Andes mountains above the Urubamba River valley. Built it the 15th century, it's known for the huge stone buildings built on the mountain side. It was an emotional experience to walk through the entry gate and look out upon the ruins. I won't try to describe all the different structures but look at the way the stones are cut so precisely that they fit together with no mortar and remember these people had nothing to use but stone tools.
There are elaborate water channels throughout the settlement that were used to move water to different areas for drinking and cleaning.
The Sun Temple is a rounded structure.
The round stones sticking out were used to secure the roofing rafters.
The quarry was located just behind the settlement.
The Three Window temple.
Notice how the stone in the corner has been carved rounded.
This sun dial is on the highest point of the settlement.
Looking through one of the windows.
Two reflection pools are thought to have been used to study the stars.
A stone carved to reassemble a condor.
Our group as we were leaving for the night.
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