Chichen Itza

Meeting the tour party was one part of the adventure, with people from Canada, USA, Belgium, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, the variety was there from the start. On our first day we travelled from Cancun to Chichen Itza, an historical Mayan site. The 2 1/2 hour bus ride was one of relative comfort, passengers can either sit back and view a movie, watch the scenery flash by, chat to one another or enjoy a short siesta. Some of us managed to accomplish all four. With bottled water and cameras at the ready, we met our local Mexican guide for a tour of the site. Chichen Itza dates back to beyond 800AD and there are several stunning temples and pyramids to take your breath away in wonderment. As we listened to our guide, the sophistication of the Mayans started to become apparent.

The main pyramid, the Temple of Kukulklan, is a striking pyramid with steps leading to the top from all four sides. With 91 steps on each side plus the top platform the total of 365 equals the number of days in the year. The temple was built with real mathematical precision, twice a year at the spring and autumn equinoxes the shadows cause a large serpent to snake its way down the northern staircase. Lasting nearly 3 1/2 hours, this phenomenon has continued unchanged for 1200 years! Climbing to the top of the temple is an experience not to be missed, the views are magnificent whilst the thought that we are following in the footsteps of ancient priests and kings is quite special.
 

It's humbling to learn that the Mayans were such expert mathematicians and astronomers. Their calendar for example exhibited a degree of accuracy greater than the western worlds Gregorian and Julian calendars. In fact, until we had the use of computers, we couldn't even replicate the Mayans accuracy.

The Temple of The Warriors is a sight that, from high above the ground, could easily be in Greece. With its large palace and multitude of stone pillars, it demands a closer inspection. And yes, the images of Greece are just as sharp from a few feet away. The reclining figure of the god-like Chacmool with a sacrificial dish on his stomach is found here, definitely another photo opportunity and yet another water stop. Mayan legend records that this was one of the sites where human sacrifices took place. Walking to the other main sacrificial area, we passed the Ball Court. It was here that one of the earliest team sports was played out in front grandstands filled with the ruling classes. Whilst there is some disagreement amongst archaeologists, it is suspected that the leader of the winning team, and sometimes also his team members, lost their lives following the game. Why, we asked? Simple really, by leading the winning team and then submitting to the sacrifice, the team leader was assured of being resurrected as a god with eternal life and power. We next walked along what we quickly christened the mercantile roadway to the sacred cenote (sacrificial pool). Chichen Itza is the only Mayan site that we visited that allows traders to harass the tourists. On each side of this ancient road are local and visiting people of Mayan descent, selling everything from jewellery to woven fabrics (from Guatemala) to woodcarvings. It was interesting to note that woodcarvings can only be seen in two forms - just started or completely finished. I still wonder where the factory is that makes the "real" carvings. On to the cenote, once a pool of pure and sacred water. Part way through the Mayan history, their religious beliefs changed radically. From being a peaceful race that cherished life, they became a bloodthirsty race that sacrificed thousands of their own people. Apparently this was not without purpose. By offering up human sacrifices to their gods, the Mayans believed that they could forestall the earth's next major catastrophe. Their history records four or five such cataclysms, including a great flood not unlike that recorded in the Bible. Preceded by earthquakes and massive volcanic eruptions, this next major catastrophe is, according to the Mayan calendar, timed for 24 December 2012. It's easy to scoff at this, until we are reminded of the amazing accuracy of their calendar! There are numerous other temples and palaces here at Chichen Itza, all built with precise orientation to the sun, planets and stars and all of which are worth visiting and exploring. Some of the sculptured faces raise significant questions. Who, for instance, was the inspiration for the bearded white man, carved 500 years before any white men supposedly came to the American continent?