Chichen Itza – world class park

Yesterday (11/5/09), Lorna Gail and I went to Chichen Itza, the eighth wonder of the world, so I could take pictures for the electronic book I am hoping to put online next month. The story takes place in Merida and Chichen.

I hadn’t been out there for years. On the new highways, it took two quick hours from Merida. We exited right into Piste and the site. We parked at the south end of the site rather than the general entrance. The parking there belongs to the Mayaland Hotel, so they charged us 100p which got refunded after we ate a late breakfast there.

We entered the site just at opening, around 8:30 AM. After so many years, it took my breath away and I remembered that going there 25 years ago had caused the light bulb to go on in my head about moving to Yucatan. Back then, much of the site was unrestored, and you could climb on all the structures. There was a rocky dirt path up the hill from the entry, which was a little booth, and only rough, uneven paths among the structures.

Unfinished side of El Castillo

Today, the whole place has a well-kept lawn and lovely trees and flowers. There are excellent walkways and it’s accessible to the handicapped – I saw several people in wheelchairs.

I have to say that although the place is incredible, it didn’t do to me what it did when it was unkempt and wild. It has been beaten into submission. But that’s a good thing. There are understated barriers in front of all the structures so people won’t go on them, which will help preserve them. And the walkways do make it more pleasant. And actually, now it is probably more like it was originally than it was 25 years ago, because in its heyday (600 AD – 1530, during the Conquest) it was a thriving, paved, well-kept city.

Full restoration

People like me just like to romanticize the ruins.

Workers at the Pyramid of Kukulcan are excavating square holes about five meters deep and eight meters square, displaying more structural stones. One of them told me that the pyramid goes down about four meters further than you can see at present, because the base has been covered with dirt. I don’t know whether they plan to dig out the whole thing or just use the holes to display the additional part of the building.

Excavation of pyramid base

Excavations

Access was blocked to the Temple of the Warriors which means you can’t see the Chac Mool, because he’s set too far back on the top. (If you go about 60 yards away, you can see him.) They also call this the Temple of a Thousand Pillars and its beginning to look like it might have that many. They have multiplied.

Neatly stacked phalluses

Vendor going to work

Mr. Chac Mool

I was surprised to see that vendors are in the site. They line the pathway to the main cenote and whisper, “good price,” or “real silver.” (It isn’t.) I was charmed by a “diamond”-studded “silver” snake bracelet with red gemstone eyes that wound around your arm. The vendor offered to trade it to me for my five-year-old Aasic athletic shoes and I was tempted, but I needed the shoes.

Lorna Gail in the ballcourt

After walking around the central part of the site and the cenote, we walked back out the south gate for breakfast at the Mayaland. It was excellent and the place was beautiful. A lone peacock joined us at the table.

Breakfast companion

A terrific excursion. And it’s great to have my INAPAM card, issued to people over 60 who live here, because it allows free admission to ruins and museums.