One Stone at a Time

Machu Picchu. Stones were cut to fit so tightly together that not even a knife could fit between the spaces. No mortar was needed in this ashlar construction technique. How on earth was this city built at approximately 8,000 feet above sea level, on a remote and steep mountainside, in the mid 1400's, and without the wheel to move any of the granite and limestone rock?!

The Machu Picchu complex has over 150 baths, houses, sanctuaries, temples. There's even a rock altar in the Temple of the Sun where, once a year during the June solstice, the sun, the window, and the altar perfectly align. It's all a bit mind blowing trying to imagine its design, the leadership directing the project, and the precision in construction of the buildings, terraces, and intricate water channels.

Machu Picchu is a tangible example that difficult challenges can be tackled and complex organizing can be successful when people come together with leadership, a shared vision, direction and process, and hard work and a commitment to work together for the big picture.

We can still build great things together. One stone at a time!

(photos from January 2022. Laura Hoy on G Adventures Inca Trail Trek)

#machupicchu #bettertogether #dohardthings #peru #stunningstones #travelwholehearted #travel #travelperu