(CNN) — Like many vacationers world wide, Jesse Katayama discovered his dream journey thwarted by the unfold of Covid-19.
He already had his entry ticket and allow to enter the UNESCO World Heritage web site on March 16 in hand, however that was when the Peruvian authorities opted to shut the location. Katayama was stranded.
Since then, the 26-year-old Katayama has change into an area in Aguas Calientes, the place he has been renting a small room for the previous seven months.
Though border closures have stored him from visiting different South American nations, he has made the most effective of his expertise by exploring native points of interest like Putucusi Mountain and the Calientes Waterfalls. He even taught boxing courses to among the native children and has made pals in his unintended new hometown.
Katayama tells CNN that his purpose is to change into a gymnasium proprietor and teacher when he returns to Japan, so he used his lockdown interval to observe his strikes.
“I am going to run each morning and I may see Machu Picchu afar in distance,” Katayama instructed CNN. “I assumed I’d by no means make it to Machu Picchu as I used to be anticipating it will not open inside this yr, however I used to be OK with it as a result of I had a good time right here.”
The Incan citadel in additional typical circumstances.
CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/AFP/Getty Photos
In a celebratory Instagram put up, Katayama wrote, “I assumed I by no means make it (to Machu Picchu) however everybody requested the federal government and the city they usually sport me tremendous particular permission.” He added: “Peruvians are soooo type. Thanks soooo a lot!”
He tells CNN that he’ll go away Peru for Japan on October 16. As he prepares to move dwelling, he’s saying goodbye to the townspeople who’ve change into his pals over the previous months. A number of native youngsters have drawn Katayama footage and created a doll for him out of bathroom paper rolls.
“I’ll undoubtedly cry,” he says about his farewell to Aguas Calientes. “These seven months have been very particular to me. I’ve found a brand new a part of me.”
“The Japanese citizen has entered along with our head of the park in order that he can do that earlier than returning to his nation,” Peru’s Minister of Tradition Alejandro Neyra confirmed to reporters.
Neyra added that there are plans to reopen Machu Picchu to guests at 30% capability, however didn’t specify a precise date.
Correction: An earlier model of this misstated Katayama’s hometown and occupation.
CNN’s Yoko Wakatsuki contributed reporting.
