FRIDAY, JUNE 25th
Rainy Day, Quiet day, Day of rest
A huge storm came into Playa del Carmen, with it lots of rain and flooded streets. John and I decided to stay in for the day. The kids played games and we mostly read while we were waiting for Jay and Natalie to get back from their scuba diving trip. When they returned they were so excited about their experience exploring a cenote under the sea. We were happy that the storm didn't affect their adventure. We went to an outdoor restaurant, next door to Jay's favorite restaurant and watched all the moths flying around trying to dry out their wings.
SATURDAY, JUNE 26th
TRAVEL DAY FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO MERIDA
As we were traveling through the villages I had an overwhelming feeling that my brother Paul served in these area's as a missionary for the LDS church. Paul was killed in an auto accident 9 months after he got home from his mission. It wasn't until we got home from this trip that I read in his journal that he did serve here and especially in the Merida area. I had no idea, so it meant a lot to me that I could feel him near by, it was a very humbling experience.
Valladolid was one of the Paul's mission areas. It is a very clean and beautiful city. The center of town was identical to Meridas.
Valladolid was one of the Paul's mission areas. It is a very clean and beautiful city. The center of town was identical to Meridas.
CHITZEN ITZATemple of Kukulcan
On our way to Merida, we stopped in to see the Chitzen Itza ruins
Inside this temple is a jeweled Chac Mool
In front of this ruin is a Chac Mool figure/they were used in sacrifices
The drawings on the walls always had a story behind them
Templo de los Guerreros
These rows of pillars representing warriors were once very colorful, there were murals with scenes of war and daily life in the inner vaults.
This is the northern colonnade, the Temple of the Warriors. The pedestals were decorated with bas reliefs of eagles and jaguars devouring hearts.
This is the northern colonnade, the Temple of the Warriors. The pedestals were decorated with bas reliefs of eagles and jaguars devouring hearts. Temple of the Small Tables
It had two upper rooms, which had vaulted roofs held by pillars sculptured with representations of warriors.
Sitting on the Temple of Small Tables, a family from Utah (LDS of course) took this picture for us.
Natural Well/No way out if you were to be dropped in. This was an important ceremonial center for the Mayans. Rituals were conducted here and offerings were made of gold, copper, brass, obsidian, quartz, shell, wood, copula, rubber, textiles and skeletal remains, mainly of children and adult males.
Sitting on the Temple of Small Tables, a family from Utah (LDS of course) took this picture for us.Natural Well/No way out if you were to be dropped in. This was an important ceremonial center for the Mayans. Rituals were conducted here and offerings were made of gold, copper, brass, obsidian, quartz, shell, wood, copula, rubber, textiles and skeletal remains, mainly of children and adult males.This ball park is one of the largest parks among the ruins around the Yucatan. The Mayan men would play on teams, they used a small ball, a little smaller than a soccer ball. The object of the game was to get the ball into the hole (see ring under the building and to the left). They could not use their hands, only their hips, legs and upper body. The winners were the ones sacrificed. They felt it an honor to give themselves to their God. 
There were vendors along the walk ways selling their hand made items.
This is were we bought our obsidian figure. He is the God of abundance. There were a lot of native women walking around trying to sell their hand made handkerchiefs. John bought a couple from a really sweet lady, he gave her more than she asked for. I think that made her happy, John too.
There were vendors along the walk ways selling their hand made items.This is were we bought our obsidian figure. He is the God of abundance. There were a lot of native women walking around trying to sell their hand made handkerchiefs. John bought a couple from a really sweet lady, he gave her more than she asked for. I think that made her happy, John too. The Observatory/archeologist's feel that due to it's shape and astral associations concerning the planet Venus and setting of the sun during the equinoxes they have been related to the three windows in the upper section.
After a long journey around the ruins and because it was a very hot day, Collin and Sydney were happy to find a vendor selling drinks. It was good to sit down and rest for a while.
Finally arriving in Merida, only to find a traffic jam. We were staying in the older part of Merida were the streets were narrow and the buildings were wall to wall.
We arrive at our hotel, it was called, Hotel Caribe. There was a restaurant next to the hotel that served the best Italian food, go figure. John and I ate their a couple of times. 
Sitting in the courtyard (the middle of the hotel), waiting to get into our rooms.
Finally arriving in Merida, only to find a traffic jam. We were staying in the older part of Merida were the streets were narrow and the buildings were wall to wall.We arrive at our hotel, it was called, Hotel Caribe. There was a restaurant next to the hotel that served the best Italian food, go figure. John and I ate their a couple of times. Checking into the hotel
Sitting in the courtyard (the middle of the hotel), waiting to get into our rooms.The courtyard/Rudel's room was in the back second floor(you can see Collin) The kids were happy to hear that there was a swimming pool, it was on the roof.
MERIDA, WHERE NATALIE SPENT A SEMESTER STUDYING
MERIDA, WHERE NATALIE SPENT A SEMESTER STUDYINGAND WHERE MY BROTHER PAUL SERVED PART OF HIS MISSION
1 comment:
Wow! You remembered a lot about these places. I love seeing your pictures and perspective on where we went and what we did. I'm kind of missing it at the moment...
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