Mayan Ruins

Posted by Marci on Dec 2, 2010 in | 0 comments

The noon sun beat down on my skin as I walked the path towards the Chichen Itza ruins. Bright-colored blankets, overflowing with souvenirs, covered the shaded areas. Vendors, shaking replica Mayan masks yelled, “One dollar. Almost free. One hundred percent off for you my friend.” The path opened and I could see the famous steps to the top of Kukulcan Pyramid.

Each of the pyramid’s four sides has ninety-four steps. The top temple serves as the final step making 365 in total that represent the days of the year. On the equinox, the god Kukulcan descends from the temple in the form of a serpent shadow that winds down the side. As I looked at the pyramid, it was hard not to be amazed by the ancient Mayans who not only understood math, astrology, and architecture, but also natural remedies for illnesses.

A few days later, as I walked through the ancient ruins of Tulum, I could almost feel the Mayan way of life. I imagined the priests sitting in El Castillo Pyramid calculating the movement of the earth and the seasons as they studied the stars. As I swam in the ocean next to the ruins, I imagined children splashing in the waves as fishermen came in from their day at sea. I tried to forget that these people also sacrificed humans – sometimes ripping their hearts from their chests.

Except for seeing the ruins, I didn’t care to see Cancun. I saw it as a spring break party place, and though I love to dance, drunken-fests aren’t my scene. Yet, this is the wonder of going after my dreams – the universe always gives me more than I expect. Though Cancun did have the club-scene, it also had beaches with sand that felt like Talcum powder, and bright, clear aqua water. Navy-colored fish with sparkling, bright, blue spots, swam in the delicate, coral reef gardens.

I snorkeled in the Cenotes filled with dripping stalactites and mountainous stalagmites. Baby bats hung from their cozy homes in-between the mineral deposits that sparkled in the flashlight’s ray.

In the small town of Valodolid, locals stood outside the Catholic church sharing the sign of peace. As I approached, they turned to me as if I were an old friend. I walked through the stucco church as people sang with their hands lifted to the sky. I shared communion and though people stared at my bright, white skin and blue eyes, they smiled in welcome.

After mass, the streets became alive with Salsa music. I joined in, laughing as a man in a green, mesh shirt twirled me around the plaza.

Whenever I ventured away from the tourist path I was offered warmth, friendship, and delicious food. As I awaited my flight, sad to return so soon to the states, I met many people who raved about their all-inclusive vacations. They never left the resorts, or if they did it was with a tour bus. I smiled at them, listened to their stories of hotel food, all the while thinking, they never really tasted Mexico.