Christmas day was certainly not a day to stay home and mope! We left about 8:00 A.M. for one of the most famous Maya archaeological sites in Yucatán, Chichen Itzá, a drive of about an hour and a half. Even though we don't have our INSEN card for senior citizens Sis. Oropeza, who is a good talker, got us in for 1/2 price.


The tourists were out when we arrived, many came in tour buses (from the United States, Europe, Asia via cruise ships, from Cancun, or other tourist sites).
As we walked along the paths, vendors of souvenirs offered clothing, carvings, jewelry "very cheap, how much you pay?" The world's economic problems are demonstrated here, too.
We became engrossed in the sights beginning with the sign, here in Mayan, explaining that this place was known as the "well of the Itzá people." The sculpture of Chac Mool was found inside an earlier pyramid covered over by the Maya people--another mystery to be revealed at a future time.


We began by looking at the Castle, or Pyramid of Kukulkan, but decided we didn't know enough to have a very good tour. We welcomed a guide who presented himself, Manuel López, and in the course of our two hour tour, learned about this famous archaeological site and found out that he lives in Mérida and knew our friends, the Pérez family (the temple workers/mechanic who fixed Bro. Oropeza's car earlier).

We marvel at the discoverers and first scientists who accomplished so much with limited technology. There is something that captivates our imagination as we walk where people conducted their daily family, religious, government, political, economic business and have disappeared. What do you suppose still lies at the bottom of the Sacred Pool?

This ball court intrigued us, and not only because of its size, but as shown in murals, the ball could only be touched with the hips and shoulders. When the ball was put through a vertical ring on the wall, the contest between good and evil was over and one of the winners was beheaded as a ritual sacrifice to Chaac, the long-nosed rain god whose representation decorates so many buildings.

All that is left now are their ruined buildings and weathered symbols. Was this really a steam bath, and was this an observatory?

The Temple of the Bearded Man has an unusual bas-relief image seated on a throne and piques our minds that have been looking for Book of Mormon- inspired links to Jesus Christ in the Americas.

First, legends are made, then deciphering and restoration projects are carried out to add to the theories. Meanwhile each of us brings our knowledge or lack of it when we come as guests. As we return to our modern world we are humbled by the many things we do not know.

Papaya trees, which we saw for the first time, and a lizard that was enjoying a sunny break before scurrying out of sight were part of the environment at this site which is protected by the government, even though it is on private land.

The evening "Luz y Sonido" show recounted the legends of the Maya and Olmeca settlers of the region. Can you see the feathered serpent (Questalcoatl) descending the steps to the temple?
The night was pleasant, with few mosquitoes, and the program was a fanciful ending to a day filled with stimulating sights and conversation. We enjoy being with our temple "family" on excursions and have only begun to investigate all there is to see and do in this area.