Chechen Itza- Maya Ruins

Here we are at one of the modern 7 wonders of the world. The Mayan Ruins at Chechen Itz. It was a 2.5 hour ride on a brutially uncomfortable bus. Howerver, our guide Ludwig (Belgian who married a Mexican about 20 years ago--he worked at Club Med) was most excellent delivering a lively commentary in both English and French. Our driver was good too except that when we started out he took us to the airport first our guide said that he goes to the airport everyday and it was just a habit because he hadn't had his coffee yet:)


Dick is standing front of the giant pyramid. It was damaged in the last hurricane and no one is allowed to go inside or near it until the restorations are complete. It is not safe right now. It just amazes me that these ruins have lasted mellinia with the sort of weather they have here.

The Mayan civilization rivaled that of Roman, Greek or Egypt. They invented the most accurate calender of all mankind. Their engineering, and mathematics were very sophisticated. They had weaving, writing, a complex religion. This pyramid is situated on a axis so that each season is marked and the time of day is marked. If you stated in from of the steps and clap the return echo sounds like a quetzle bird (a sort of parrot). The limestone blocks when struck with another stone sound metalic. Obviously the Mayas used all these properties to make thier buildings, stadiums and homes awesome. Sort of a Seng Fui in Mayan.

We saw a hube stadium where the Maya's played a form of soccer. Our guide showed us a painting that I took a photo of. I don't think they wore feather's or other decoration because the sport is pretty athelitic and somewhat violent. No more so that if you combined American football, World soccer, Hockey and LaCrosse. The King had a platform on one end of the stadium and the Highpriest on the other. The spectators stood or sat on top of the wall on each side of the field.