Friday Jun 2 2006
The last morning we lingered around our coffee shop in the morning, and I took some photos of the churches. We were planning to visit Chichen Itza late in the day, when the temperature was less than searing.
In Mexico it takes some time to become acclimated to the slower pace of life. At restaurants and throughout daily city life events occur at a much slower pace, and people aren’t rushed, even if you are.
In restaurants the check isn’t brought to your table until you request it. To provide the bill before you’ve completed your meal is considered rude. Sitting at the cafe across from the Luz I watched a few police officers take exception to a parked VW bug that wasn’t supposed to be there. Two more police officers rolled up on motorcycles. Watching in the background sipping coffee I figured arrangements would simply be made to tow it.
An hour and a half later and deep into a book, I couldn’t help watching the ensuing drama of police coming and going, and wondered why the car wasn’t towed yet, even though a tow truck had arrived 20 minutes earlier, and then left for some reason. Maybe there was something more happening that I didn’t know of, but it just reminded me to expect the slower pace of everything when traveling south, which overall I appreciate, and can be a surprising but welcome change for someone who constantly lives by the clock.
We snaked our way out of Merida and after a few wrong turns found our way back to Highway 180 and headed west. Two hours later we were at the small village of Piste and the Mayan ruins of Chichen Izta.
More detailed information Chichen Itza Wikipedia.
Above: El Castillo. Below: Group of the 1,000 spires
Above: Temple of the Warriors. Below: Platform of Venus
Above: Temple of the Warriors. Below: Platform of Venus
And another Cenote!
Some of the larger Cenotes have local vendors selling various trinkets nearby, and often some cool necklaces and bracelets. Also be prepared for the village children to surround you offering to help clean your car, carry your things, and show you the way to the caves in exchange for a few peso coins, (or a lot if you’re generous). They usually charge a few dollars for entrance to the cenotes, which goes a long way towards helping the small towns. This cenote was completely underground except for a small hole in the top.
