why we travel
We travel for many reasons, but for me, I find that history sheds great light on current events.
In 2010, Tim and I spent two weeks in Syria. In all of my trips, this remains the most memorable of all. One of the highlights was Palmyra, a spectacularly preserved Roman ruin in the middle of the desert. Today, ISIS has gained control of this area, and the assumption based upon other conquests is that they will destroy or sell the priceless artifacts there.
Now, as I visit and learn more of the Inca civilization, I see that the Spaniards did the same and probably worse when they conquered this culture. Today, in Cuzco, I visited a cathedral/church built on the foundations of the most important Inca site, Qorikancha. A place covered totally in gold with gold and silver life size animals in the gardens and countless relics. all destroyed and carted away. This is where the Inca kings made public appearances and, after death, they were mummified and continued to be dressed daily and put out for all to see. They were the living gods to these people. At some point, the Spaniards took all of these mummies into the central square and burnt them in front of the people. Imagine how we would feel if that happened to our “god?”
For me, although I am devastated by what will happen in Palmyra, at least Peru gives some perspective that ISIS is in no way the first to trash a previous culture.
Very good point, Dan. Western civil agin has certainly produced its share of brutal terrorists as well, hasn't it? So tragic for the Inca. And for the Syrians. I wonder often what has happened to our driver there (Ali?), and wonder whether he might be the Ali al Homsi quoted in recent NYT articles about Palmyra.