Bernie's Travels: The ruins of Chichenitza

From Merida I left for nearby Chichenitza, one of the best preserved of the ancient Mayan cities and recently voted in as one of the seven great wonders of the world. I tried to arrive for the vernal equinox when you are supposed to see a cascading shadow effect on the main pyramid, but I didn't make it in time. It didn't matter anyway since the clouds had set in that afternoon and the rain came down in buckets; to see the special shadow effect you have to have full sun to cast the shadows. So I spent my first couple of hours in the town closest to Chichenitza waiting for the rain to pass. It was just as well since the lightning was fierce and 5 people were actually struck by lightning that afternoon at the ruins. Apparently lightning is a bit of a problem in the area – my guide the following day said he had seen about 20 people killed by lightning around the ruins in all of his years there. That sounds like a bit a bit of a tale but I believe it considering I spent my two hours waiting for the rain to pass in the volunteer emergency center where they were shaking there heads as they readied the ambulance.

That night I camped out and went to see the ruins the next morning. They were undeniably impressive. I have almost had my fill of Mayan ruins, but they were great. The detail in the stone carvings was excellent and the main pyramid was a marvel of astronomy, serving as an incredibly accurate calendar. In fact the pyramid was specifically built to create this cascading light and shadow phenomenon twice a year, in the spring and in the fall when there are exactly 12 hours of sunlight and darkness.

I took a guided tour of the ruins with a few Germans, It's has been interesting traveling and seeing how well the Germans, Dutch, and northern European countries speak English. Of course I wouldn't expect them to, but they generally speak very well. Not quite the same story with the French, most of whom I have seen having difficulties with both Spanish and English. Anyway, the tours was alright but our beautiful, sunny morning turned grey and rainy before we finished seeing all of the ruins. I walked around the rest anyhow and then called it a day.