Machu Picchu is Hidden Again

Hiram Bingham, the American Explorer, rediscovered this impressive temple after more than 4 centuries since it was built and then abandoned with the arrival of the Spanish conquest. Since then it became the most important tourist attraction in Peru. Around 1,5 Million visitors each year, giving richness to selected people, but clearly not redistributed correctly and under unknown rules. The train that connects the city of Cuzco to the Village of Aguas Calientes, just under the touristic monument is a monopoly of the Mayor of Lima, who received this profitable business during the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori as a gift; the buses that transport the tourists from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is another mafia deal, that right now is blocking the visit to this beautiful environmental structure.

As nothing is given in a clear, legal and organised process, there are always companies that accuse fraud in the concession of the transport licensing. The incomes of Cuzco city from tourism represents 60% of their entire yearly revenue, and still the local and the country(I will not call nation or national because Peru is not)center authorities are of a total incompetence. First in the fact to take care of Machu Picchu as a cultural unique patrimony of the humanity, and in second place to act and be respectful with the tourist. Already to prepay for an entrance is impossible, so you need to go and negotiate with the informal dealers. There is not a Hospital in Aguas Calientes or an Helicopter for emergency services in case a person has an urgent health problem. Many tourist die of strokes, and their only consolation was to become history next to a historical monument. In the recent days, many people needed to be evacuated from Aguas Calientes in a type of open rolling wagon powered by a motorcycle. Peru is land of Marvellous, but for the human capacities to improvise, but when there is money and people who are paying, you need to give a decent service taking care of your clients, not to fraud them because you think there will be always another on their way to the trap.