CHICHEN ITZA - THE LAST LAP

I have to confess that I was surprised to wake up with so little after effect from last night’s over indulgence but such small mercies are always welcome.  Mauricio came up trumps with his final upgrade, a brand new air conditioned van for an early start to Chichen Itza in order to beat the crowds.  I slept most of the way and need, I think, to pace myself more carefully after 8 weeks on the road in which some 10,000 miles have been covered.  We were one of the first groups into the site and Enrique, our guide produced an informational ‘tour de force’ that explained and reinforced our growing knowledge of Mayan/Aztec culture and filled in a few gaps as well. 

The number of traders was greater than ever here and most seemed almost resigned to not selling very much. 

The main pyramid was truly grand in scale and the astronomical knowledge applied in its construction was truly astounding, but only two sides have been reconstructed entirely as much of the stone has been lost.  Much of it was taken away to be used in construction elsewhere; yet another parallel with Europe. 

Enrique cleverly demonstrated that, human sacrifice apart, the structure of Mayan religion was little different to that of Christianity with Life, Heaven and an Underworld.

Back onto the van for the final push towards Playa del Carmen where this leg of the tour finishes and most of the group head off home or to other exotic destinations.  Playa is a typical beach resort with the noise and prices to match.  Mauricio organised a final meal at Frido’s where the prices were high, the food was excellent and the service slow.  Mexico were playing and beating Argentina in the Final of the Pan American Games so the waiters did have some excuse here.  From here we moved onto the Blue Parrott but at this point my nerve failed.  The sheer volume of the noise escaping from the place, the fact that girls got in free but men had to pay and the ‘pay $40 to drink as much as you like’ entrance offer seemed objectionable to me.  I’ve seen so much genuine poverty here that I simply didn’t want to be part of such conspicuous expenditure.  I ended up in a much quieter place near to the hotel and had a couple of tequilas before going to bed.

Up early, I set out for a walk along the beach where, in places evidence of the preparations for the non-arriving hurricane were still in place. 

A healthy breakfast and the purchase of a tank top that was actually made in Mexico completed the early activity before returning to the hotel to say farewell to departing friends.  The rest of the day is mine to chill in and perhaps catch up with the laundry.