PACHAMAMA NEAR HEAVEN. A train to the clouds

Andean people in the antique Inca’s Empire believed that Pachamama, the Mother Earth – the soil in wich all of us live – was a goddess who provided nutrition and care for all her children.
That cosmovision stills remains nowadays and the ritual to please her is almost the same: to give her in return all that she supplies us.
During August, holes are dug for people to bury all kinds of food and drinks as gifts for Pachamama. Besides, local people celebrate with common feelings of joy and gratitude.
That is why travelers and those who love adventure, including families, choose the traditional ‘Tren a las Nubes’ or Train to the Clouds to get in real touch with this holy festivity.
The origin of the Train to the Clouds is a railway that was created in the early 20 ́s during the 20th century by the American engineer Richard Maury, to connect Atacama region in Chile with Puna region in Salta, Argentina, in the era where trains were the main national progress sign.
In the 70 ́s it became a tourist attraction, because of the stunning landscapes and its height: reaching 4,220 meters over the sea in its highest level over the ‘Polvorilla Viaduct’.
Tourists and journalists prefer this journey most than anything, feeling exited in this particular train, which is the third highest in the world.

Carolina Grillo is a photographer and artist from Salta, Argentina. She also has studies in filmmaking and scriptwriting.
Currently, she works in her studio, in Salta.

Photographer: Carolina Grillo @carolinagrilloestudio