Where the sun is tied. The Intihuatana Pyramid in Machu Picchu. 🌄

Some selfies when I was hiking in the Peruvian Cloud Forest near of Machu Picchu. Only 1% of the global woodland consists of cloud forests. It's the habitat of numerous unique animal and plant species. Cloud forests are among the most endangered terrestrial ecosystems on earth. They are particularly dependent on constant climatic conditions (e.g. leaves that are very drought-sensitive), which will change as a result of climate change. Many cloud forest regions are important agricultural production areas due to their always humid and mild climate.

Power to the people ⚡

At the Hidroelectrica train station. You can reach Machu Picchu only via train or on foot. On my way to Machu Picchu Village (Aguas Calientes) I walked from Hidroelectrica along the railroad tracks. On my way back I took the train. I had a first class ticket, but didn't even know about that. I didn't notice that I entered the wrong compartment. We already started when I figured it out. After about half of the journey the train had to make a stop and a train attendant ran with me to my compartment. There I was completely alone except for two other passengers and the service staff.😁

That's on my way from Santa Teresa (Machu Picchu) to Cusco (capital of the Inca Empire). I traveled with a colectivo, that's what the collective buses are called in South America. The whole trip was an adventure. A little later, when it was already dark, we stopped in the middle of a winding road somewhere in the mountains. We had to push the bus for it to start again. Most of the other passengers, although native, hardly spoke Spanish. Not every Peruvian speaks Spanish as a mother tongue. Quechua is the most spoken language in some regions. When we finally arrived in Cusco, it was after midnight. I remember how excited I was when I finally got to the hostel.😁

The narrow path to Mount Machu Picchu.🙃

Traditionally, coca leaves are consumed in the Andes. You get it offered on every corner in plastic bags. The original form of consumption is by chewing the leaves. Mate de Coca is something of a national drink in Peru. It's also available in small tea bags, but I always had loose leaves. There's even chocolate with coca leaves! Very often there are restaurants and bars that somehow refer to coca.

The leaves are used as a stimulant, as a dietary supplement, for ritual and medicinal purposes. They help suppress hunger, fatigue and cold and are very effective against altitude sickness as they improve oxygen uptake. Also, the coca leaves have always had a spiritual meaning.

I found it similar in effect to black tea. There are no known side effects and you won't get addicted to it. It would take about 300 grams of dry coca leaves to extract 1 gram of cocaine by chemical extraction.

And please don't misunderstand, I'm absolutely no friend of the drug cocaine. People who snort this in order to feel superior, thereby contribute to terrible atrocities such as murder and trafficking.

😂 When I waited in Santa Teresa for the bus to Cusco, I met a Swede. He was in transit and brought some rapé from the Brazilian Amazon. He couldn't tell me exactly what's in it. Tobacco and other plants, he said. It looked a bit like crack, so I just tried it. What should happen bad?😅
Shamans use it ritually to establish contact with the Great Spirit. You blow the rapé with a v-shaped tube into the nostrils. The shamans actually take longer pipes and blow each other's nostrils. It's very strong tobacco, which burns in the nose and goes directly into the head. Shortly thereafter, a deep relaxation spreads throughout the body. I found it very pleasant, so I got some on the San Pedro market in Cusco and brought it to Germany. I still have most of it. It is really strong! Always fun to offer it to my friends. 😜 But actually there is a much deeper meaning behind it. Those who are interested should search for "sacred rapé rites".✌☺

The stone sculptures in Aguas Calientes represent components of religion and culture of the Inca Empire.

The stone sculptures in Aguas Calientes represent components of religion and culture in the Inca Empire.