Machu Picchu

Tonight I saw Machu Picchu, green and glorious, perched where no city should ever have been, high in the Andes. It came to me, in high definition, right to my family room. I did not have to worry about the altitude and my asthma or the rocky climb and my bad knee. The day was sunny and I looked down on the ancient ruins from the perfect vantage point. I followed the spring melt from the heights down the Amazon River Basin and wondered at the wealth and beauty of the diversity of nature. Thanks to public television, WTTW to be exact, HD Tv and Nature, I did it from the comfort of my favorite chair. I can recall a time when I thought I might be a world traveler. I have learned that this is not who I am destined to be. I prefer the comforts of my own country and honestly dislike being away from home for longer than a week. I always harbored a desire to see the pyramids. Too many old movies I suspect. In my lifetime, it has never been safe enough, at least not for me. I will not, I don't think, see the pyramids, but I have seen the treasure of King Tut. I am unlikely to visit Mount Kilimanjaro, though I often thought that would be something to see as well. I hope to still see some of Europe before I'm done. But I have seen all of Machu Picchu that I am likely to see. I was feeling a little sad about that, then I remembered that you never know.