5 September - Thursday
Matt’s Journal
Cusco, Peru
My morning walks each day sent me winding through narrow, cobblestone streets and through the vibrant Plaza de Armas. Each day, this central square is a stage for lively celebrations and parades. Whether it's a religious festival, historical tributes, or a school presentation, the Plaza always buzzes with a joyful crowd of locals and curious tourists.
I often continued my wanders to 12,000 feet and the Incan’s largest structure, Sacsayhuaman or “citadel of the royal falcon”, which felt like a success. While I never became acclimatized enough to run it, my walking pace increased each day. From there or Cristo Blanco, the neighboring hill, Cusco City unfolds beneath in all its splendor and at dawn.
While the kids were away at school*, Ligaya and I ventured to Rainbow Mountain. Locally known as Vinicunca, meaning "mountain of the narrow neck," it’s a geological wonder. The vivid stripes of the mountain are the result of mineral deposits (iron, magnesium, argillites, clay, calcium carbonate, quartz, limestone, and their oxidation). At nearly 17,000 feet, Rainbow Mountain takes your breath away both literally and figuratively. This natural marvel has only been accessible for the past 15 years, adding to its allure.
Our crowning adventure was a trip to Machu Picchu by the whole family. The sheer magnificence of the site lived up to every expectation. Our guide, a knowledgeable local woman, provided a fascinating narrative about the purpose and significance of each area within this ancient Incan city. She explained everything from the educational centers to the religious structures, the arrangement of the city itself, and even the precision of the masonry, which aligned perfectly with the site’s cultural and spiritual significance.
Yet, the beauty of Machu Picchu is not just in its structures but in the breathtaking surroundings. The massive peaks dropping dramatically to winding rivers offer a panoramic view that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. I could have spent days just soaking in the landscape, marveling at how the natural beauty and ancient engineering converge in this incredible place.
Every site I visited reinforced a profound truth: photographs can’t capture the full essence of such wonders. The sensory experience and physical effort of getting there create contemplative moments - they reveal the true wonder of our world and the brilliance of ancient civilizations.
*School - Piper & Quinn spent our first two weeks in Cusco in what world schoolers/traveling families call a “hub” - which is basically a gathering of kids and families from all over the world with the intent to learn and immerse themselves into the culture. Although some of the oldest participants in this particular hub – P&Q experienced Cusco in a way we could have never provided. They enjoyed the hands-on experiences, the volunteering, making friends and learning Spanish. There was definitely a huge difference between the 20 minute walk/bike to school in Mill Valley to the walk to their hub in Cusco!