This summer, I got the amazing opportunity to visit the Andes mountains in Peru, with seven other high school students from America. We began our journey in the town of Ollantaytambo, which is located deep in the Sacred Valley. On our first few days, we got to walk around the town, which is considered an active archeological site, and visit ancient ruins. We learned about the history of Ollantaytambo, and how the town was strategically located to control access to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu during the times of the Inca Empire.
In addition to learning about the history of the town, we also had the opportunity to visit a school for high school aged girls who lived deep in the Andes Mountains with no access to education in their home villages, where we volunteered to help them expand the school. The school was aimed at teaching the girls Spanish, as they originally spoke Quechua. At the end of the day, after hours of building mud bricks and moving stones to a more accessible spot, we got to play games with the girls. Despite our language barrier, we were able to communicate with them through basic Spanish, dancing and playing simple games.
The next day, we were able to see the historic salt terraces, which have been producing salt for the region since pre-Incan times. Our local guide taught us many interesting facts about the salt terraces, one example being how someone cannot simply buy a a section of the terrace, but it must be inherited through familial roots. Another interesting fact about the terraces would be that they are fed by a natural underground saltwater spring, leaving salt crystals when the water evaporates.
On our final day in Ollantaytambo, we walked to the train station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes, a town located at the base of the Machu Picchu mountain. After disembarking, we began our hike up to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. Once at the top, our local guide taught us so many fascinating facts about Machu Picchu. He taught us that Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911, is an ancient Incan city that has precisely cut stones that stay together without the use of mortar, and that the purpose of Machu Picchu is still widely debated.
My visit to Ollantaytambo was unforgettable, with every experience—from volunteering and visiting Machu Picchu, to exploring the salt terraces and hiking to ancient ruins—leaving a lasting impression. Unexpectedly, I also learned about the archaeological history of Ollantaytambo, including the fact that extensive excavation has revealed that the site was a major Inca military and ceremonial center. Finally, I discovered how the cultural practices of the Andes Mountains are deeply rooted in the history and traditions of the Inca and Quechua civilizations.
