February 1, 2010

We are currently nearing the end of our second weekend-long excursion to the Carribean. Friday was Uxmal, Saturday we went to Tulum, Sunday was La Isla de MARISTAS, a small island off of Cancun, and then we are currently on the road to FDKSLJF. It was absolutely an amazing weekend full of seeing ancient ruins, expereiccing a different aspect of Mexican culture, and overall exploration of the Yucatan. Of the three Mayan ruins we have visited thusfar I overall enjoyed Uxmal the most. However, they were all very different encompassing many pros and cons between the sites. 

                Uxmal was the greatest experiencing due to its low-tourist level, our thorough tour guide, and the site’s impressive demeanour.  Virtually the only tourists there, we were able to stand in front of the
“pyramid”, clap and hear what sounded like a large, large snapping rubber band sound. This is due to the construction of the “pyramid.”  All Mayan temples did this. Chitchzen Itza was extremely amazing to walk along its’ turf. However, our tour guide (who guided us aloing this entire weekend) only spoke for about 10 minutes, in the Yucatan’s largest Mayan site mind you, and as a result, I was not able to appreciate the site as much. Chitchzen Itza is the only Mayan site that is privately owned and as a result you can witness many saddening events happen. For one the site is open to vendors that sell typical touristy souveneirs such as ceramic skulls or smoking pipes. Constantly immersed in “I give you something you like, next to free!” can be very overwhelming.  As if the family who owns Chitchzen Itza isn’t rich enough, they are also keen on finding more ways to make money off the site by selling the stones that once constructed the site to local hotels. Yeah, I’m not kidding here.

                Tulum is the newest of the three sites.. Hugging the warm carribean ocean the site was extremely beautiful, but very small and simple, due to it being a former trading outlet. Our guide maybe talked for five minutes, which made it even moreso difficult to have any idea what the buildings were once used for. But this is where I practicied my archaeolgist mind and tried to figure things out on my own. So hey, I can’t complain.

                Onward we went to the lsland off of Cancun, which I am fortunate to be able to say it was much, much different than Cancun. Something we have been studying in our anthropology class as well as in our travels is the affect tourism has towards Mexico. Although Cancun was founded by the Mexican government as a place to bring in tourists to the country, it is very sadening to see how its existance has panned out over the years.  It  only has destroyed what was once a beautiful place for locals to go, but it is failing to bring home the bacon, or sorry, bring home the guacamole, for native families. 

Well thats what I wrote on the bus. Now I am back in Merida with absolutely no time to spare. Its frustrating. None of us ever get more than 5 hours a sleep a night. 6 on a good night and we are all getting very very sick because of it. Everday I wake up at 630, go to school, get out around 130, then go to my community service and then get home around 8. And I have just as much homework as in the states. Sigh.