7 Days in Peru: Day 2: Pisac- the Pisac Ruins
I am going to be totally honest here, because we looked at so many other travel sites and blogging posts and didn’t find much about these ruins. So here it goes, spilling my guts.
I had been told by a friend that had seen some but not all ruins that wearing toms or ballet flats was totally fine. We expected these to be a mellow hike, so my worn down Toms it was! Jacob wore some loafers. Oh boy, if only we knew what we were in for!
The path was narrow, the rocks were smoothed from time and visitors, and the hiking path I would not put in the easy category. It was beautiful, and it was worth it, but I wish somewhere someone would have said, “Wear hiking shoes, and if you’re even a little afraid of heights- brace yourself!”
I am a little afraid of heights. We’re talking steep cliffs without handrails make me nervous. Mountain paths that can’t fit two cars but need to definitely creep me out, and zero traction shoes on slippery surfaces at 7,000 ft. altitude with steep dropoffs definitely can do me in!
Luckily, there were moments of breaks, and very few moments of handrails.
At first glance you see Jacob, looking great and happy. and then if you look behind him you think- ah a bit of a hill. But if you look closely you realize there’s an entire valley, and beyond that little hill there is nothing. This was a STEEP drop-off with a very narrow path, and I have to admit, shortly after this picture the fear of heights got the best of me.
Jacob was so patient and let me stand near the walls while he explored and enjoyed. He also sat by me, hugged me, and listened to me as I shared how much I think he should play a rap song at my funeral- no one will expect it and it will ease the tension of my young, tragic death falling off a mountain while vacationing.
Don’t look too close at my swollen eyes in this pic, I had just calmed down post panic attack.
And when we got to the top and saw the temple, it really was so breathtaking and beautiful I was so glad I made it, even with trauma!
How else would I have snuck a picture touching the sacrificial alter?
Or witnessed the ingenuity of the sun dial inside the temple.
Or found the mild looking agricultural site we had seen in pictures, and watched this boy get excited about it?
The Pisac ruins are beautiful, and they are very high up on very steep ledges, and if you’re terrified of heights I’d say skip it. If you’re mildly afraid you may have a panic attack, but the right shoes and some mental preparation can go a long way!
But this steep cliff and high location only makes the surrounding area all the more beautiful.
It’s also in those moments when you literally plan your funeral and see death around every literal corner that you realize what a patient soul you married, and how supportive they are. I can’t get over how slow he was willing to walk, how good he was at tricking me into taking picture and looking up instead of down, and how much he cared that I was struggling. I’ll always remember Pisac for the trauma and beauty, but also the beauty I saw in my husband that day.
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You guys are an amazing couple. So glad you survived! 🙂
Amazing photos! I wish I was blogging back when I went to Europe. Xo
I have always wanted to go to Peru. Looks like you are having an awesome time 🙂 I hate heights but i like to think I'd give this a go 🙂
This place looks incredible! I loved checking out the ruins when we were in Rome- that's about as close as I've come to ruins anywhere. I can't wait to travel again!
Wow thse ruins are gorgeous!! Did you have such a blast?
Beautiful photos! The things we see when we decide to leave the comforts of our state/country. Thanks for sharing.
Thrifting Diva
wow, breath taking pictures thanks for sharing
that is solo sweet! i sooo look forward to traveling with my husband one day!!!
That is really cool. It's gorgeous out there!
Wow! Amazing! I'm the same way about heights if I am in a car. I just imagine it plummeting down the mountain and freak out. Same about planes. Boils down to anything that I am not in control of. On my feet, I'm more confident, but I totally get your fears 🙂
brave woman! I would have freaked a bit with no handrails…
These photos are just stunning – what a view!
This looks like so much fun to explore, aside from the whole panic attack thing. 😛
It seriously looks so beautiful there, I am totally enjoying all of your pictures! 🙂
I love stuff like this…so cool!
This is such a lovely piece and the place looks stunning! I think it would be me comforting my boyfriend though. We did the mediterranean steps on Gibraltar last year, and he was terrified!
Katie <3
Wow! So beautiful! I really want to visit Peru! I can't wait!!!
wow camille i am so inspired to see this! the andes mountains are on my must visit list, how gorgeous!
What a beautiful hike! Would love to go there!
Awesome shots! Looks like you guys were having fun!
It looks like you had a great second day! Such beautiful photos!
Beautiful photos! Peru is on my lists of places to go!
Your photographs are so amazing! I would love to visit Peru some day soon <3
The beauty of Peru is breathtaking! Love your pictures keep the posts coming!
That looks so awesome! Such a beautiful place, it's definitely on my bucket list!
What an absolutely beautiful landscape, so breathtaking! You're so lucky to have experienced it first hand 🙂
Fiona
This is seriously so cool! I would love to go here one day 🙂