Very interesting article, especially if you interested in how societies become organized and urbanized. Two fundamental requirements for a city, is a source of water, a centralized economy, such as a palace, that stores food and artifacts, and lastly be enclosed in walls. I am surprised that no such perimeter walls existed, although the palaces were surrounded by walls.
It does have massive, and all encompassing walls. They aren't built like how we used to build defensive walls in history, those are obsolete. Instead they are lined with chainlink and razor wire, contain radar and other systems for across the horizon detection, have runways for aircraft, silos for ballistic missiles, magazines for gunships, missile carriers, submarines, satellites and other craft in outer space with classified capabilities, entire datacenters. It is one of the most well defended positions in human history.
Great you visited it. One reads all these cautionary notices about traveling to Peru. What was your experience? Did you visit on a group tour? Would love to know more.
Yes, Peru (and South America in general) can be fairly dangerous for people used to Europe or the US, but if you let you be guided by someone who knows where to go, it is a wonderful place. My wife herself is Peruvian but lived in Europe for her whole life so it was a new experience for her as well. We travelled on a tour planned by a travel agency ad-hoc for our honeymoon, so we were alone (not in a group) but we were escorted by private guides for all the travel, who organized both the transports and the touristic activities. Schedules were tight so it was challenging, but really rewarding! On top of the usual famous places like Machu Pichu I also greatly recommend the amazonian region. We went to a lodge on the Marañon river some kilometers from the source of the Amazon River and met local tribes (including one of the five last speakers of a disappearing local ancient language). Great memories for sure!
Peru has had a lot of bad press but if you use your common sense you’ll be fine. I live in Lima, for example the tourist areas here have a high police presence and are safe.
I went there with my younger kids a few years ago. It was like visiting the USA only fewer guns and authoritarian people in uniforms everywhere, and don't drink the water out of the tap. Also maybe pay in cash everywhere since no one takes cards. Lima is big and like big cities everywhere be on your guard in touristy areas because a lot of people make a living there and not always through legal means.
Hiking the Inca trail to Maccu Piccu and seeing the Nazca line in person though, worth it. Just stay in hostels and travel by bus. A bit of Spanish would help but we got by OK without it.
Very interesting article, especially if you interested in how societies become organized and urbanized. Two fundamental requirements for a city, is a source of water, a centralized economy, such as a palace, that stores food and artifacts, and lastly be enclosed in walls. I am surprised that no such perimeter walls existed, although the palaces were surrounded by walls.
Yes, who can think of Los Angeles without considering its massive and all-encompassing walls.
It does have massive, and all encompassing walls. They aren't built like how we used to build defensive walls in history, those are obsolete. Instead they are lined with chainlink and razor wire, contain radar and other systems for across the horizon detection, have runways for aircraft, silos for ballistic missiles, magazines for gunships, missile carriers, submarines, satellites and other craft in outer space with classified capabilities, entire datacenters. It is one of the most well defended positions in human history.
It truly would not be a safe settlement without the great Angeline Walls keeping Los Gigantes out from the north.
The two fundamental requirements for a city are:
1) a source of water,
2) a palace or other place to center an economy, and
3) to be enclosed in walls.
We know the last because we have yet to discover any traces of the walls of any unwalled cities.
I've visited Chan Chan during my honeymoon last year, it's impressive! All Peru is impressive, north to south. Highly recommended!
Great you visited it. One reads all these cautionary notices about traveling to Peru. What was your experience? Did you visit on a group tour? Would love to know more.
Yes, Peru (and South America in general) can be fairly dangerous for people used to Europe or the US, but if you let you be guided by someone who knows where to go, it is a wonderful place. My wife herself is Peruvian but lived in Europe for her whole life so it was a new experience for her as well. We travelled on a tour planned by a travel agency ad-hoc for our honeymoon, so we were alone (not in a group) but we were escorted by private guides for all the travel, who organized both the transports and the touristic activities. Schedules were tight so it was challenging, but really rewarding! On top of the usual famous places like Machu Pichu I also greatly recommend the amazonian region. We went to a lodge on the Marañon river some kilometers from the source of the Amazon River and met local tribes (including one of the five last speakers of a disappearing local ancient language). Great memories for sure!
Peru has had a lot of bad press but if you use your common sense you’ll be fine. I live in Lima, for example the tourist areas here have a high police presence and are safe.
I went there with my younger kids a few years ago. It was like visiting the USA only fewer guns and authoritarian people in uniforms everywhere, and don't drink the water out of the tap. Also maybe pay in cash everywhere since no one takes cards. Lima is big and like big cities everywhere be on your guard in touristy areas because a lot of people make a living there and not always through legal means.
Hiking the Inca trail to Maccu Piccu and seeing the Nazca line in person though, worth it. Just stay in hostels and travel by bus. A bit of Spanish would help but we got by OK without it.