CHICHEN ITZA 9 APRIL

PHOTOS : Chichen Itza (we are in awe!). Luc the photographer. And one of his photos! Swimming in the cenote.

We leave very early on our guided tour to Chichen Itza – the most famous and best restored of Mayan Cities in Mexico (and one of the spots I wanted to visit). It is a long ride and we end up sitting in the back of the combi (not good for my “engtevrees”!). We have to drive all the way down to Tulum, from there through Coba and then to Valladolid. Here we stop to look at the different styles of architecture. We finally get to Chichen Itza at 11.30. There are millions of tourists, and groups, but it is so massive that you can actually deal with it. Our tour guide is very arrogant, but also very knowledgeable. We are astounded by the thought that has gone in behind the design and building of the city. At the vernal and autumnal equinoxes in March and September the morning and afternoon sun produces a light-and shadow illusion of a serpent ascending or descending the side of the El Castillos’s staircase. The Mayans are famous for discovering the number Zero, and also for a much more accurate calendar than what we are using now. Another famous discovery was that of penicillin – hundreds of years before it was “discovered”! To me, the most fascinating is still the ball game they use to play (see our visit to XCaret earlier on). Two teams played this game with a rubber ball they had to hit with all their body parts, except their hands and feet (mostly with their hips). They were also not allowed to kick the ball. They played this game in a massive arena and the game lasted for 2 solid days, during which they could not stop. The aim of the game was to get the ball through a ring on the two sides of the arena, 18 feet up in the air! What makes this game unusual was that it was played by priests and the purpose of this game was to win and then one of the members of the winning team could offer themselves to be sacrificed. This was a great honour, as the Mayans believed that we live 3 lives and this was a step to the next life! We get an hour on our own in the ruins, which is barely enough. From there we go off to a very touristy restaurant, with hundreds of tourists and buffet food. The highlight here is the Mayan dancers. We laugh when we realise that the description of our tour guide of Mayans are so true. They are short people, with triangular heads, slanted eyes, hooked noses and square bodies – no sexy curves for the women, hence the square traditional dresses! We are however amazed by their embroidery skills!
Our last stop is at a Cenote for a swim – the temperature was about 40C and we were very hot and looking forward to this swim. The cenote turns out to be a big surprise and awesome. We have to go down very steep stairs to a massive underground cave with a small opening high up above us and a fresh water pool. Even more steps to get to the pool and the water is freezing, but so welcome! We really did not want to get out when the time is up! We eventually get home at about 7 (just in time for the evening yoga class!! HA HA – we are too lazy!!). Stroll out for dinner at 100% Natural - a healthy chain group, but good food. We are bushed and Luc practically falls asleep on Callie’s neck! Must say, not too bothered by the noise of the hundreds of party goers!