Machu Picchu

    Our final day in Machu Picchu was a mix of indulgent happiness (happiness that we could sleep in), wonder at the history that Carlos revealed to us, and excitement about the final leg of our journey, Lake Titicaca.

     Again, our leader, Carlos proved himself to be as captivating a historian as he was a naturalist.  Sadly though, we find ourselves confronting the fact that "history is written by the victors".  And the stories that we had read about Hiram Bingham lll the "discoverer" of Machu Picchu were far from what really went on. Al called him a conquistador wrapped in a different flag.

     We hope that, as Carlos so passionately does, the artifacts (treasures) that Bingham removed from Peru will be returned, and that Bingham and his exploits will be seen in their proper light.