Friday, February 15, 2008

Chichen Itza 3

Are you tired of visiting Mexico yet? Too bad if you are because we still have a long way to go. These are the last batch of photos from our visit to Chichen Itza.

This photo is from the wall of skulls now being restored. An interesting note: upper class babies had boards strapped to their heads at birth to flatten their skulls. Why they did this no one seems to know. Either they thought it aesthetically pleasing or perhaps they thought it “expanded” the mind? (Those are my own interpretations and not those of our guide.) Either way, yet another reason not to be part of Mayan upper class.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

The Temple of Warriors is one of the largest structures here. Unfortunately, like most of the other structures at Chichen Itza, access is no longer permitted.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


At the top of the staircase, a standard-bearer still holds his hands together to accept a flag.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


Its carved pillars still stand tall.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

Hundreds of columns and pillars stretch out into the jungle. At one time they may have supported a roof of wooden beams and palm leaves.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

On other structures serpents still are very much present on staircases, their sinuous bodies carved in stone.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


On our way to the last structure we will visit, we meet a local resident soaking up the heat of the day. It certainly will not be the last iguana we see in Mexico!

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

And, last but not least, we come to the Observatory where Mayans tracked heavenly bodies through narrow slits in its dome. It is the only structure here that you are allowed to climb up the stairs to, although you are not allowed inside. The stairs were steep and not suited for fast climbing. Since the Mayans were short people they must have had to take at least two strides on each step.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey


Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

A close-up of the relief carving above the doorway.

Lynne Robinson, Hewitt, New Jersey

That concludes our tour of Chichen Itza and I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit! It truly is one of the Wonders of the World.

Stay tuned for the next entry and join me as I swim with the dolphins!

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Comments:

these are great lynne, what a wonderful trip - thanks so much for sharing them all.  Can’t be too much for me.

I love seeing the Mayan ruins through your eyes. Wow. Could you feel the echo of the people when standing close to their great constructions? You know they predicted the end of the world would occur in 2012. Yikes!! Not far away!!

Loooking forward to dolphin pics, too.

Letty, good, I’m glad you aren’t bored yet.

Reya, yes I could feel their echos. It made me feel very small and insignificant. Our guide told us about the great event happening in 2012, and he said it predicted an eclipse of sorts where all the planets align with the sun. Who knows what will happen? Amazing to think they could predict so far into the future.

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