Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman archaeological park (included in Boleto Turistico/BTC) consists of Sacsayhuaman, Qènqo, Tambomachay and PukaPukara but by this visit I was all-ruin-out so I only visited Sacsayhuaman (pronounced “sexy woman”) and PukaPukara.

I would assume that you have read my short description of my experience of being almost-deceived at Sacsayhuaman. Here is the longer version. Tourists pay about 55 soles for a horse-ride across three sites (Qènqo, Tambomachay and PukaPukara). The tour guide initially wanted 50 soles for a tour of Sacsayhuaman and 80 soles for the horse-ride. I bargained down to 70 soles for both the horse-ride and a tour of Sacsayhuaman (remember I was all-ruin-out by this time and so I really just wanted to walk around and take photos – but I do want the horse ride!). By the time we got to the ranch, unbeknown to me, the deal became that a boy from the ranch will take me on a horse ride then he will take me back to my hotel for a voluntary tip (background: I had only 70 soles cash with me). After the horse-ride, without a clear reason, the boy left me ‘outside’ the ranch (all the properties seemed to joined together) and while I was waiting, this nice girl assumed I was lost and offered to take me back to Sacsayhuaman. It’s a straight path, I would have made it back but I honestly was going to wait for the promised tour guide of Sacsayhuaman. At the end of the day, 70 soles for the horse-ride wasn’t too bad – it’s still a bargain when converted to A$.

From this incident I have learned that despite circumstances, I must keep my heart and intentions pure. While others may try to deceive me, while I had every right to be annoyed or disappointed, I must try my best to be true; I believe my guardian angel was on the lookout. Everything happens for a reason.