Chichen Itza

Just after we finished our whale shark tour, the rain reappeared and time to leave arrived. Next destination : Chichen Itza. This was one of the most beautiful and powerful cities of the Maya with more than 1000 years history. Its name means “at the mouth of the well of Itza “. 

From 550 AD to 800 AD, Chichen Itza existed mainly as a ceremonial center for the Maya civilization. 

The area was then largely abandoned for about a hundred years to be resettled around 900 AD again. Shortly before 1000 AD, it was invaded by the Toltecs, people from north. They also brought the practice of human sacrifices. 

Kukulkan Pyramid -El Castillo (the castle)

It's one of the new seven wonders of the world along with The Great Wall (China ), Petra (Jordan ), Christ Redeemer (Brazil) , Machu Picchu (Peru ), The Collesseum (Italy ), The Taj Mahal (India).

Juego de la pelota 

In the Maya period, this was the most important sport. I don't really know the rules, but from what I understand, it's not so far from the modern basketball. The most important different is that at the end of the game someone had to be sacrificed: sometimes the chosen person or group was the loser, other times was the winner. So it was very difficult for the players put all their efforts to win, not even knowing if the victory will bring them to the glory or to the death. 

Thousands columns 

El Caracol

Besides the ruins, another attraction were the numerous vendors of artesania. Besides some big artesanal market, I never saw some many vendors all together. Funny thing is that after one whole day at the ruins, you realise that these people live days after days saying the same words, over and over and over. 

"un buon precio para ti"

"casi gratis "

" esta es obsidiana, es una roca volcanica, cambia el colore con el sol "

" para los Americanos es mas caro, tengono mucha plata, ma para los Italianos es mui barato "

" cuanto tu quieres pagar? Sin compromiso "

" esto es el mi trabaco, todo hecho a mano"

This time I was strong enough not to buy anything. My backpack is already too heavy...