La Bolom research center 7/10

I'm with a Mayan artisan that was selling bracelets and necklaces that were made totally from beautiful dried beans. I bought a few so I asked if I could take my picture with him.
The entry way of the center was paved with the bottoms of wine and beer bottles. Very interesting and resourceful.
This is the photo journalist that provided the lectures on Mayan textiles, Mexican migration, and zapatismo. The woman with Janet is a Chamula woman that is a photo journalist in her own right. It was surprising to see her pull out her camera and start taking picture of us!

oops! posted this picture twice!

Center of Maya Medicine 7/10

We visited the traditional center for Mayan healing. We were able to learn about how the Maya have blended religious beliefs with healing. People come from the surrounding communities to consult with a Mayan medicine man. He advises people on all manners of ailments from social, emotional to physical.

Mayan crosses. You can see these all over Mayan lands, Before the Spanish came these type of Mayan crosses represented the tree of life. The indigenous peoples of Mexico has done an amazing job of blending in Christen Catholicism with their own historical cultural beliefs.

Traditional candle making for use in religious ceremonies. They love candles and incense.

Traditional sweet lodge used in religious and purification ceremonies.

Herbal medicine store at the Center for Mayan Medicine.

At the end of our visit several of us decided to schedule a ritual cleansing ceremony with the Mayan medicine man for Monday. I was very curious about what the process would be like. We had to bring our $50 pecos, an egg and a bunch of basel.

Azual Waterfalls 7/9

We stopped at Azul Falls on our way to San Christobal. It is now the rainy season in this part of Mexico so the water was very muddy. When there is not so much run off from rain the water in these falls are said to be 7 different shades of blue. The falls where very awe inspiring. The pictures do not do them justice.

On a personal note: It is here at the falls on our way to San Christobal that my luck began to turn......I should have heeded the signs and skipped going to the San Christobal area. While at the falls I was approached by an extremely old indigenous woman. When she offered me what she was selling (bananas I think) I politely declined with an no thank you. She answered by slapping me on my arm and at that point the hex, bad mojo or just plain bad luck begins.........

Palenque Archaeological site 7/8

This is the burial pyramid built for king Pakal. The most important ruler to reign here at Palenque. It is the largest Mayan pyramid tomb found dedicated to a single ruler.

The Mayan Tree of Life which represented North -(up the heavens), South-(down the under world) East and West. This trees branches grow out from the tree and look like a big cross if you look up from underneath.

Amazing plaster work that has survived for hundreds of years. At on time all the structures where intricately decorated and vividly painted.

The design on Pakel's crept cover. Interestingly-there is a model of this down in Roswell, NM at the alien museum. The explanation of this caving they give is quite different from the explanation given by our tour guide. I would be happy to share the vast differences when I get home with anyone who is interested.

A recreation of Pakal's actual crypt. The actual stone crypt is still in a room under the largest pyramid at Palenque.

Chan Kah Ecovillage 7/7-7/8

We entered the rainforest (or as close as we are going to get on this trip) when we made it to Chan Kah Ecovillage which was not very far from the Palenque archaeological site. The resort was beautiful! We all had a little cabin. The grounds were lush with tropical vegetation. Absolutely beautiful as these pictures show. We woke up each morning to the sounds of tropical birds, insects and howler monkeys.

Veronica my roommate for this stay and I had a big laugh at the towel sculpture that was left for us after our room was cleaned the 1st day.

Sabancuy beach 7/7

It started raining shortly after we arrived here at the beach. We were catching the tail end of Tropical Storm Bonnie. It was raining bucket of rain and I didn't think we would have the chance to walk on the beach. Luckily however, after lunch the storm broke long enough for me to run down to the beach collect some beach sand and a few shells in a bottle and take these few pictures.

Tanya and I enjoying a few rain free moments together on the beach.

Xpicob's turtle conservation camp 7/7

2 day old baby sea turtle.

Holding tank full of the newly hatched baby sea turtles waiting to be released into the ocean.

This sea turtle had been raised at the conservation center. We had a release ceremony and set her free into the ocean.

Kinsey this one is for you babe. Biggest hermit crab I have ever seen in my life!!

The beautifully clear ocean along side the conservation camp.

Jacques making a speech before setting our friend the sea turtle free.

Mayan Ednza Archaeological Site 7/6

San Miguel's fortress and museum 7/6

San Miguel's fortress and museum

Beautiful view from the top of the fortress looking out across the ocean.

One of the many pieces of Mayan pottery displayed at the museum.

Jade mosaic mask found in a Mayan tomb.

Examples of knives used by the Mayan priests in the many Mayan religious sacrificial

rights.

Campeche, Campeche Mexico 7/6-7/7

The amazing Sunset over the ocean in Campeche on 7/7

Church on the main plaza in the heart of Campeche.

The streets are lined with Spanish Colonial architecture in these very vibrant and beautiful colors.

Sunset on 7/6. This was the view out of my hotel window!

More up to date blog http://stephskiba.blogspot.com/

As you can tell it has been a challenge for me to keep my blog up to date. Try as I might I never seem to have enough time or internet service to get things updated as often as I would like. One of my travel companions has been much more successful. I am going to give you the link to Stephanie's blog. It will not only give you another prospective of this Mexican adventure, she is much more up to date. I will continue to up load new entries as I can and hopefully will get caught up at some point.

http://stephskiba.blogspot.com/

Bacel/ Panama Hats July 5

On our way to the town of Campeche we stopped off in a small town totally devoted to the weaving of Panama hats. Becal is a small very rustic town. Jacques procured us some local transportation. These three wheel tricycles are used by all the locals to get from one place to another. The whole round trip ride cost us each 10 pecos about a $1.oo. We stopped and visited a gentleman's home and workshop. He had been weaving hats for over 50 years. He gave us a demonstration of how the plant fibers are separated with a needle to make the long fiber threads used to weave the hats. The actual weaving takes place down inside of a cave where the dampness helps to keep the fibers nice and flexible. Up to 10 people would sit down in his small underground cave and weave at the same time. The geography of this part of Mexico makes the ground like Swiss Cheese so that almost all houses come with their own weaving cave. He explained the different grades of woven hats. A true Panama hat takes around 3 weeks to weave and uses only the thinnest finest fibers. Those hats are in the $350.00 price range. Sadly I was unable to purchase any hats. The ones he had for sale that day were either to small or looked really bad on me.

Sculpture of Panama hats in the town plaza.

Bacel's church

Local transportation we took to the hat factory.

The plants on the left are the type used to gather the fibers to make Panama hats

This shows how a needle is used to separate the fibers on each leaf.

A partially woven hat-this is about 1 1/2 weeks worth of work.

We are down inside a cave and this gentleman is demonstrating how to weave a hat. They sit for hours and hours down inside these damp dark caves everyday.