I Finally Saw Machu Picchu. It Wasn’t Magic.

I spent years telling people Machu Picchu was my dream. I had a picture taped to my wall, right next to the calendar where I crossed off days until summer break. When I finally stood at the Sun Gate, the view was real, the air thin, and my legs shaking from the climb. I waited for the rush—some cinematic feeling that would make all the years of wanting worth it. But the truth is, I felt small. Not in a spiritual way, just…tired. The ruins were beautiful, but so were the clouds rolling in, and the stranger who offered me water when I looked lost. I took a photo, but I haven’t posted it. I’m still not sure what I was hoping to find up there. #TravelExpectations #DreamVsReality #HonestTravel #Travel