Or visiting the Mayan Ruin, Chichen Itza, Day. One of the things I was most excited for in Mexico besides street tacos was the large amount of Mayan ruins scattered through out the Yucatan Peninsula. We are hoping to travel to the ruin Tulum by boat, which is farther south. Tulum is the ruin built right on the coast, towering over crystal clear, green Caribbean waters. The ruin close to Isla Mujeres, Chichen Itza, is one of the biggest ruins in Mexico and we were excited; ready to explore and seek some spiritual guidance from the Mayan ancestors. When we first arrived, I honestly was a little disappointed. It wasn’t even 10:00am yet but the dirt road leading to the beginning of the Mayan ruins was lined with street vendors selling anything from dresses and dishes to miniature versions of the Mayan temples. I understand the Mexican people are just trying to earn a living off a tourist destination in their area but it didn’t exactly match with what I had imagined Mayan Ruins to be like.
My reservations were quickly put to rest as we started to explore the expansive grounds that held all the different structures that were built thousands of years ago. Although we couldn’t climb the steps to the top of the highest pyramid structure or explore the “perfectly preserved jaguar throne with jade pieces as the eyes” (that was the description on the template outside the roped off area of the ruin) I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I guess millions of people touching the jaguar throne would decrease it from its perfectly preserved status.
I was most impressed with how large the area of Chichen Itza was and how much of it is still standing. As we walked around we saw temples where the elite of the Mayans lived, common, communal living areas, a large stadium surrounding a grassy area where sporting events were held, sauna areas, large meeting halls and gathering areas, burial grounds, sacrifice areas, and a circular, astronomy observatory with secular ties. The carvings on most of the buildings are still intact and amazing. The repetition of the jaguar, the eagle, and the serpent were included in most of the carvings. As the morning went on and I continued to explore I barely saw the street vendors with their trinkets. I was in awe at the detail in the ancient carvings, the communal spirit the village held, and the strength and belief of the Mayan people to build these enormous structures by just the power of their hands. I became increasingly grateful that these ruins are being preserved so more people can see them and feel the energy they embody. Well, at least until 2012 anyway.
M.
My reservations were quickly put to rest as we started to explore the expansive grounds that held all the different structures that were built thousands of years ago. Although we couldn’t climb the steps to the top of the highest pyramid structure or explore the “perfectly preserved jaguar throne with jade pieces as the eyes” (that was the description on the template outside the roped off area of the ruin) I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I guess millions of people touching the jaguar throne would decrease it from its perfectly preserved status.
I was most impressed with how large the area of Chichen Itza was and how much of it is still standing. As we walked around we saw temples where the elite of the Mayans lived, common, communal living areas, a large stadium surrounding a grassy area where sporting events were held, sauna areas, large meeting halls and gathering areas, burial grounds, sacrifice areas, and a circular, astronomy observatory with secular ties. The carvings on most of the buildings are still intact and amazing. The repetition of the jaguar, the eagle, and the serpent were included in most of the carvings. As the morning went on and I continued to explore I barely saw the street vendors with their trinkets. I was in awe at the detail in the ancient carvings, the communal spirit the village held, and the strength and belief of the Mayan people to build these enormous structures by just the power of their hands. I became increasingly grateful that these ruins are being preserved so more people can see them and feel the energy they embody. Well, at least until 2012 anyway.
M.
 | ||
| Main temple Jaguar throne with jade eye pieces allegedly inside this temple
|
 |
| During this sporting event, players had to throw a ball through this small circle |
 |
| The playing field. This is the view of where the elite of the Mayan people would watch the sporting events |
 |
| Carvings on the structures that are the burial grounds |
 |
| I would imagine this was a long and intense game of tic-tac-toe |
 |
| Peaceful road to the Ruins |
 |
| The Observatory |
 |
| Eagle eating a heart carving After walking around the ruins for a few hours we were pretty hot (and of course enlightened) so a jump in a freshwater Cenote was just what we were in the mood for. A quick ride down the road and we were there! |
 |
| View from the top of the Cenote |
 |
| Meg jumping in |
 |
| This little guy we saw while driving and we frantically told the driver to pull over so we could take his picture. |
No comments:
Post a Comment