Chichen Itza - WONDER OF THE WORLD!!
Trip Start
Oct 09, 2007
1
8
9
Trip End
Dec 20, 2007
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Chichén Itzá,
Mexico
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
We were so close, how could we NOT visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World near us in Mexico? Caroline, Cheryl and I left the Pez Maya expedition a day earlier than most -- it was SO sad to leave, I've gotten to feel as though everyone there was a part of our extended family! Hugging the group goodbye and watching everyone run after our taxi as it rumbled down that bumpy road one last time left us all a little teary-eyed. But the three of us were off on an adventure of our own -- a visit to Chichen Itza (a trip of about 2 and 1/2 hours, provided we didn't get lost! Of course we did, but it was an interesting "lost"). I was still covered in sandy from the beach and pretty grubby, but Caroline looked fantastic in her sundress and pretty sunhat! :-)
We stayed at the Mayaland hotel, right on the premises of the ruins and after 10 weeks at Pez Maya base, I almost cried when the receptionist offered a cool towel to "refresh" before showing us to a room with a private patio that was absolutely beautiful
We're here!!
! The resort grounds were awesome with hibiscus, banana trees, and peacocks running around everywhere. Our plan was to visit the nighttime laser light show at the ruins and it did not disappoint. The pyramid, El Caracol, loomed out of the dusk as we found our seats and learned about the warriors, priests and athletes who lived on these grounds. Such interesting stories and amazing ruins!
The next day we got an early start (we were the first out there -- those early morning wake-ups at Pez were still hanging on). It was an awesome day and we stuffed our heads with the lore of those ancient people and what's known about their amazing language and culture. The ballcourt was especially fun -- Cheryl and Caroline couldn't resist a quick game of phantom basketball even though they had heard the story that in ancient times, the captain of the team scoring the first goal was decapitated as a gift to the gods! :-O
