Visitors to Machu Picchu overlook construction of the new Pizarro's Bizarro Express roller coaster. The coaster sustained only minimal damage during the Chilean earthquake on Feb. 27.Aguas Calientes, Peru--On February 27, Chile was rocked by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that left unimaginable destruction once the shaking subsided. Seismologists have called the quake one of the largest ever recorded.
Chile's neighbor to the north, Peru, was mostly spared of any major damage. Immediately following the quake, however, the Peruvian government sent a team of historians and preservationists to assess the state of one of the country's--and the planet's--most irreplaceable treasures: Machu Pacchu.
The ancient Inca city that is nestled deep in the Andes Mountains is extremely fragile. Scientists familiar with the site have concluded that the city is slowly (centimeters per year) sliding down the side of the mountain. Obviously, an earthquake would not help Machu Picchu's situation, which is why experts keep such a close eye on the relic.
But, even more of a concern for these historians, is the condition of the new thrill ride being constructed directly on top of the city--a roller coaster that is expected to raise millions of dollars for the endangered city.
"A few of the wooden cross braces were dislodged," said historian, Edgar San Gutierrez, when asked if the new coaster's integrity was compromised by the ground movement. "It's nothing that a few nails and screws can't fix."
Special rubber, vibration-absorbing foundation soles were placed deep at the base of each coaster footing to limit the amount of damage caused by a large earthquake.
"We used the most advanced anti-vibration devices that technology has to offer," Gutierrez explained.
When asked if any of the ancient stone structures were affected Gutierrez explained that his team of historians would launch a thorough inspection "just as soon as we finish with the coaster."
The roller coaster, Pizarro's Bizarro Exress, named after Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, is expected to open in early May in time for the peak tourist season. The minor damage caused by the quake, officials say, will not delay the planned opening of the ride.
"Please, don't worry. As I stand here before you, I will do everything in my power to make sure that Pizarro's Bizarro Exress will open on time for the North American and European summer," said preservationist, Stefani Antuay.
Machu Picchu is one of the western hemisphere's most popular tourist destinations. It is a magical place, transporting visitors to the 15th century with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. A city that was very successful in going undetected by invading conquistadors is not so successful at hiding today.
A little more than 400,000 visitors per year visit the site, while Niagara Falls welcomes over 20 million. The Peruvian site, however, is vastly different for a number of reasons.
It is human-made and situated within a rugged mountain chain, which can be very difficult to access. This keeps the number of visitors down, but so does the Peruvian government. Why limit the number of tourists--especially since there is a sizable park entrance fee--if money is so desperately needed to preserve the city?
The main reason is preservation. Machu Picchu officials desperately need to raise revenue without increasing the number of tourists--foot traffic causes the most damage to the city--or the entrance fee. The Peruvian government has placed a freeze on both of these figures for the next ten years.
Officials want visitors to spend money once they get inside the ancient city. Could small shops with marked-up trinkets increase revenue? Yes, but on a very small scale. The coaster will be the most expensive thrill ride in the world at $1,500 per ride. Officials wanted a high-priced item that would also deliver high-end satisfaction.
"We want visitors to feel like they are getting value for their money," said Antuay. "Trust me, there will be no roller coaster in the world comparable to this one."
The same scientists predicting the slow downward movement of the city say that the added weight of the new roller coaster is worth the risk to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations.
The wooden roller coaster, which was started last June, is approaching the final stages of construction, and, when finished, will run almost a half mile and reach speeds of 100 mph and heights of over 8,200 ft above sea level.
"This will be one bitchin' ride," said Doug Sizemore, archaeologist adviser to the roller coaster construction company and a member of the prestigious American Archaeologists and Regional Preservationists (AARP).
Machu Picchu will not bear any of the cost of the new roller coaster, as Texas-based Six Flags Amusement Parks has agreed to pay the full price of the ride in exchange for the right to choose the name of the ride. Six Flags said that Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Extreme Vertical Drops was also a finalist for the coaster's name despite the fact that the "explorer" never set foot in Peru.
"It will raise a lot of money to help preserve the city," said scientist, Maita Ayar. "It's not the prettiest addition, but Six Flags gave me a pass for the whole summer, so..."
No comments:
Post a Comment