We got things down to a science, trip necessities laid out the night before, shorts, Tee, shoes to be easily accessed and wake up call with adequate time given for morning ablations, hearty breakfast, pack a sandwich to go, water and out the door by or before 7:40 to catch our van - it's like watching a well oiled machine!
Javier makes a return engagement playing the part of steady but crazy driver. Emilio has been appointed to talk our ears off for the next 8 hours with every fact known to man regarding the Mayan civilization. I honestly felt there should have been an exam following the tour with passing grades earning a Masters.
Unfortunately, the group although all English speaking were friendly put guarded and opposed to extending themselves. We were just fine though as we had each planned well and brought our best friend to hang out with.
In route, we cruised through 4 - 5 small Mayan villages. Poverty was readily apparent but there was an order and cleanliness that defined the villages. It was interesting getting a brief glimpse into the life of a ancient people immersed in a modern world.
 |
| In the Mayan Village |
 |
| I guess dogs everywhere are the same |
We arrived at The Mayaland Hotel which would act as our base camp during our exploration of one of the greatest examples of historical finds from the ancient world. The hotel itself was worth seeing in it's own right - lush, tropical vegetation surrounding a building that looked like it had been poured across the landscape and hardened to a perfect fit. Pathways leading to crystalline pools, fountains and seating areas, short stocky broad men dressed in white work clothes with broad brimmed straw hats maintaining the area, colorful decorations with every bright hue of the rainbow adorning walls and tables - very authentic in it's design and execution.
 |
| The entrance door to Mayaland Hotel (with a Mayan in the doorway) |
 |
| Mayaland Main hall |
 |
| Bamboo |
 |
| The pool at Mayaland |
We walked down a short path where tickets were validated and we entered the city of Chitzen Itza. I was somewhat amazed at the number of native Mayans who lined the trail with tables of their crafts - masks, carvings, woven blankets, key chains, frig magnets and anything you can possibly imagine and some that you couldn't.
 |
| Yup, stupid shoes even in Mexico walking around the ruins--OUCH! |
 |
| Here at last |
 |
| A traditional Mayan house |
 |
| Our intrepid tour members with Emilio instructing. |
 |
| Colorful displays of goods for sale lined the path. |
We came across one amazing structure and then another. Emilio had so much to offer regarding life and meaning from 5,000 years ago.
Some interesting facts;
There was the warriors temple where lots of good folks and not so good were sacrificed to the gods. Carvings depicting these events were fairly graphic.
 |
| Columns lined up next to the warriors temple |
 |
| Warriors temple |
 |
| The warriors temple |
There are 2 wells, 140 feet deep where bodies and parts were disposed of after their usefulness waned.
One structure was lined with carvings of skulls. Each skull was slightly different and they made a spectacular display. These were all vanquished enemies.
 |
| The wall of vanquished enemies |
There was a sports field (1 1/2 times of the size of a football field) where two teams of 7 vied to get the ball through a ring suspended 25 feet above the field. The captain of the winning team was honored by being sacrificed to the gods. Gee, I'm kind of glad that I was never all that good at sports.
 |
| You didn't want to be a winner on this field! |
 |
| The basket, Mayan style |
 |
| All sounds had a perfect echo due to angles and construction |
The main temple is just an outer shell. Every 52 years, the Mayans built an exact duplicate over the existing temple. Layer upon layer of temple.
 |
| One of the 7 wonders of the world--the pyramid at Chichen Itza |
 |
| Snakes were sacred in Mayan lore. At Solstice, the levels light up to look like the body of a snake undulating his way down the steps ending at the head of the snake - amazing!! |
 |
| Workers on the pyramid |
 |
| Totally overwhelming in size and stature. A true wonder of the world. |
Carvings of snakes, eagles, jaguars were considered holy and dominated the decor
 |
| An ancient local, just prior to a blood donation and the Red Cross was not involved |
 |
| Jaguar |
 |
| Snakes everywhere |
 |
| The rain god |
Archaeologists have been working for the past 100 years restoring, researching and hypothesizing as to the life of the ancient Mayan. This is the observatory:
It was worth the price of admission. As I walked down ancient pathways, I could not help imagining men, women and children traversing these same trails living out their daily highs and lows. The ground felt sacred, the same feeling I got when I visited Stonehenge.
We broke for lunch at the hotel where a large buffet greeted us with everything from authentic Mexican food - lime soup, beans and rice to more familiar fare such as hot dogs. All this while Mayans, dressed in original costume danced around the tables balancing beer bottles and trays of food upon their heads - a bit mucho for my tastes.
After lunch Kat and I bartered with the native craftsmen and craftswomen getting some interesting souvenirs. We then spent a half hour lying beside the pool enjoying the warm tropical breezes before Emilio herded us back to the van for our two plus hour ride back to the hotel.
 |
| Just a few items for sale, all for just a dollar?! |
 |
| Working on his craft |
Showers and exact dosages of ibuprofen and other pharmaceuticals cleared the aches and we headed down for dinner. Relaxing comfortable conversation reflecting on today as well as the past eight days. So many warm experiences to store in the memory banks to warm our cockles during the long cold January nights that lie ahead.
After dinner, I ran upstairs to grab our camera - Mexican Robbo was playing again and I was intent upon gathering proof of Robbo's doppelganger. We got our proof and to honor his new compandre's from Oregon, Mexican Robbo sang "Did you ever see the Rain" by Creedance - we danced and laughed till our sides hurt.
 |
| Jeff next to Mex Robbo and the keyboard player |
 |
| Mexi-Robbo at the drums | |
|
|
 |
| Dancers while we play pool |
|
We played our normal 3 games of pool. Kathy decided to head upstairs. As we were about to depart, a man playing at the next table with his 4 friends challenged me to a game. Now I had been watching this guy - very sharp, confident and sure of himself, and very capable with a cue. He was mopping the floor with his friends and looking for some fresh carne (meat). Well you know me, never able to pass by a hill that needs climbing.
He let me break and we each missed a few shots but I could see him playing with me. I realized he was not used to playing someone of his skill and saw him pulling a Mr. Marks on me. My friend David's dad would stand beside a pocket I would be shooting at and he would wave his cue or drop it to distract your shot when I was just a teen earning my billiard stripes. My current opponent was doing much the same. I finally pointed at him, laughed and ran the table making a long, difficult rail cut shot to close things out and say good night Gracie. I played one of his buds who commented to me, "You are wiping my Ass." in broken English. All of his buds wanted a crack at the "Grey Ghost, the scourge of Mexicali pool rooms" but I had to excuse myself till manana as my Esposa (wife) was waiting patiently for her Esposo (Husband).
Another wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment