Posts Tagged ‘Mexico’

A Story about Chichen Itza

May 31 2008

Chichen Itza, Mayan Riviera

I finally got round to flickring my photos of Chichen Itza, the “large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Yucatán state, present-day Mexico” says Wikipedia. Now, I’ll look it up in my $150 university art history book to make sure that’s right (the very same one that I took for light reading on my first trip to England to seem “cultured”.)

Oh wow. I’m actually reading a book. It feels weird and unnatural. I can’t scroll. Ack! I have to turn these big heavy pages. Ug. So apparently Chichen Itza means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza”, and has nothing to do with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but rhymes nicely with pizza. Hmm… there are only 3 paragraphs about Chichen Itza in this 1167 page book! What a jerk! I guess we will just have to rely on the web as our guide to this weird and wacky Mayan world.

The massive and awe-inspiring Mesoamerican pyramid in the middle of the site is called el Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan.

Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo), Chichen Itza, Mexico

El Castillo was built by the Maya Civilization somewhere between 11th and 13th century AD when *the Decepticons first came to earth.

Razor beak! ha!

The massive structure is guarded by these crazy man-eating alligators. Well, actually they are supposed to be serpents, but I called them alligators on flickr, then felt sheepish, so I changed the title to “Mean Slytherin Dudes”. PS. I also spelled serpent, ‘serpant’. Sir Pant! So regal.

Mean Slytherin dudes, Chichen Itza

Right after the Decepticons came to earth and built the pyramids, an *alien race of evil cats called “los Gatos Malignos” ruled the Mayan empire with an iron fish! I mean fist!

Evil Cats and Pyramids

According to *archeologists, Mayan youths were quite rambunctious and would let off steam before the “virgin sacrifices” by drawing rude graffiti on the temple walls.

Evil Panther Wall, Temple of the Panthar. RRR.

While visiting this new Wonder of the World, I felt moved to perform a feat of agility.

As a result of performing this feat of agility, I was 8 minutes late for the bus back to the hotel, which angered and greatly annoyed my ever punctual mother. She wouldn’t even speak to me for like half an hour.

My mum, Chichen Itza, Mayan Riviera

To make matters worse, I climbed this pyramid model at the hotel and made Gozilla noises for an embarrassingly long length of time. She was not amused, but I felt that this was an important step in my self-growth as an adult.

Conquered!

If you want more Mostly Lisa fun, check out my video of my Chichen Itza adventure.

*details may have been exaggerated or completely made up for the purposes of sarcasm and/or humour.

Mostly Lisa’s Mayan Adventures at Chichen Itza

May 5 2008

la belleza del pueblo mexicano

Apr 29 2008

Cute Mexican Kids, Akumal, Mayan Riviera, Mexico
Photo by my mum Jane Bettany.

My last trip to the Mayan Riviera marked my sixth trip to Mexico. Every time I am in Mexico, I am always warmed by the beauty, kindness, and generosity of the people. Here are a few pictures of people I met, or passed by that I captured in Akumal and Tulum.

School Boy Infront of Aquarium Mural, Akumal, Mexico

I saw a small school and library from the road and walked into the courtyard. I saw this tiny boy playing with blocks in front of a bright blue wall with an aquarium mural. I was just able to grab this shot before he ran off.

Maria (shopkeeper), Akumal, Mayan Riviera, Mexico copy

She was soooo shy and I had to pester her for quite a while for her to allow me to take a photo of her. But she was still so shy and giggling, so I quickly snapped this candid while she looked away.

After school coconut snacks, Akumal

nomnomnom these kids were shucking these coconuts so quickly with their teeth!

Dancers, Grand Sirenis Resort, Akumal, Mayan Riviera, Mexico

Super fantastic Hollywood tribute show at the Grand Sirenis Resort where I was staying. It was almost as fun as the sweet Pixar themed blacklight show they put on the next night.

construction workers, Tulum, Mexico

There is a lot of development going on in the Mayan Riviera down near Tulum. i really hope they don’t develop too much. It would be such a shame to destroy the natural beauty of this area. These construction workers were not really thrilled at me taking pictures of them. A leedle bit of attitude.

little girl playing in water at Akumal Beach, Mayan Riviera, Mexico

En español:
Mi último viaje a la Riviera Maya marcado mi sexto viaje a Mexico. Cada vez que estoy en Mexico, siempre me ha calentado por la belleza, bondad y generosidad del pueblo. Aquí están algunas fotos de gente que conocí, o pasado de que me capturaron.

How I spent Earth Day

Apr 22 2008

Today was Mother Earth’s big day. Coincidentally, it was also my mother’s birthday. Hizzah. Happy Birthday! This has been an amazing trip with you!

Last year I spent Earth day rollerblading around Jericho Beach in my home town of Vancouver (yes I actually bladed on the sand, lived to regret it, got the photos to prove it).

This year, I spent the day at Xel Ha, an amazing ecological water theme park in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico. I swam alongside sting rays and 8 ft long chomp-jawed fish (official name) and colourful fish that nibbled on my leg a little and really skinny, silvery fish with a sword nose. I named him Sir Anthony Wiggins. He was quite posh and a bit uptight.

Another thing that’s awesome about Xel Ha is that they have a sunscreen swap program where you trade your icky dolphin/fish/etc killing sunscreen for biodegradable lotion which won’t kill Sir Anthony Wiggins. Yeah!

Three cheers Mother Earth!!! She deserves a hug. *hugs and kisses sand… pleh…*

How did you spend Earth Day? I hope it wasn’t throwing batteries into a duck pond.

I am such a sun n00b.

Apr 21 2008

Mostly Lisa the Sun n00b

attacked by a mexican sand bear

Besides failing miserably at putting on suntan lotion evenly, I was attacked by an albino Mexican sand bear! swathhhhhh. After he pawed me, I gave him some tortillas with cheese dip. This seemed to settle him for a bit while I made my get-away!!