https://mymodernmet.com/machu-picchu-porter-visit-susan-portnoy/
"Every year over 1.5 million people visit Peru's Machu Picchu. This gem of the
Inca Empire attracts tourists from around the world who endure a long hike to
view the 15th-century citadel in all its glory. Local porters are a critical
part of Machu Picchu's tourism, as they carry supplies and break down camp for
tourists as they make their way along the Inca Trail. But, as travel
photographer Susan Portnoy discovered, these porters rarely—if ever—visit Machu
Picchu themselves.
Most porters are indigenous Quechua people. Primarily farmers, they work
seasonally as porters in order to supplement their income. During a recent
off-season, the Quechua owner of an Inca Trail tour company decided to treat 65
porters to their own vacation to Machu Picchu. Here, roles would be reversed.
Guides would act as porters, while the porters would get to experience the road
to Machu Picchu as a tourist.
It was a moving experience that was, luckily, documented by Portnoy who was
along for the ride. She was able to see with her own eyes what it meant for
generations of Quechua to see their ancestral land and to experience the taste
of luxury that they usually provide to others.
We had the chance to speak with Portnoy about her experience getting to know
the Machu Picchu porters and what it was like to share this experience with
them. Read on for
My Modern Met's exclusive interview."
Via Joyce Donahue and Christoph S.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
