Mexico is one big country and hours on a bus can testify to that. The tyranny of distance has been endured by the magnificent Mayan Ruins we have seen. A new wonder of the world, Chichen Itza stood imposing it's authority around the surroundings. Serpent sculptures guard the stairway to the Sharman's altar; bird like music echoes from the many clapping hands and the Mayan calendar clicks forward watching the rays of the sun fall across the many temples.
In all honesty, if we had to cast our vote for the new wonders of the world, we would have gone for the ruins of Uxmal. Struggling figs, a canopy of mist, the humidity that suffocates and ruins that jettison from the jungle floor capture the senses. Uxmal and Palenque are tangible experiences whilst Chichen Itza stood sterile like.
It is the great debate as to whether Mayan's practiced ritualised human sacrifice but they did observed the skies above and pioneered an understanding of time. They built temples, observatories and playing fields where ceremonial ball games were played and the captain of the winning team was honoured by offering up his life to the Sharman via beheading. Like most royalty, they practiced the art of incest and body mutilation. Heads were flatten by wooden boards so that they resembled corn and in breeding led to deformities and dwarfism.
It is little wonder their civilisation collasped.
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