How to Enjoy Ruined Sites

Written by Kyle about Guatemala. Feelin' amused
Kyle_amused

5 days, 2 countries, 1 overnight bus, 2 mornings before 5 am, and 3 different ruin sites later, we have successfully traversed the sites of Monte Albàn (Oaxaca, Mexico), Palenque (Chiapas, Mexico), and Tikal (Peten, Guatemala).  Lucky you, we've had some time to wipe our brow (it's freakin' hot!) and bring you some of the best views from these sites.  Of course, we can't just go there and look at them...we would go crazy and probably be bitter at every old rock that we saw.  So, we tried to have a little fun.  Interspersed with the photos are little snippets we like to call "How to enjoy ruined sites".  Enjoy.

Monte Albàn
What once was a Zapotec political and economic center, and one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica, Monte Albàn sits on top of a tall hill in the middle of the Oaxaca valley.  It stands out because the top of the hill was flattened to make building the structures easier.  When we were there it was hot, dry, and unrelentingly sunny.  That may sound nice to you folks in colder climates, but with very few trees, it makes for a scorching visit.

Monte Alban, Mexico
Monte Albàn Overview
Bessie at Monte Alban, Mexico
Put your hands in the middle, and shake them all about...it's the Hooookey Pokey.
Monte Alban, Mexico
The first parque central in mezoamerica...or not
Monte Alban, Mexico
Stairway to Heaven...where is my guitar?
Bessie at Monte Alban, Mexico
Bessie finding any shade possible
Lone Tree, Monte Alban, Mexico
Lone Tree

Palenque
An impressive Mayan site in Mexico, Palenque is situated in the start of the jungle that continues on through southern Mexico into Guatemala.  Some people think that the hyroglyphics and the architecture were influenced by the highly hallucigenic local mushrooms.  When you carve a picture of a god sticking his tongue out, with evil-looking garden gnomes coming out of its head and two headed serpents coming out of its shoulders, it's hard to disagree with that assesment.  Palenque was also hot but now with humidity!  Hooray!

Palenque, Mexico
Enormous tomb, how to exit with style
Smurf House, Palenque, Mexico
We think Papa Smurf lived here
Kyle Climbing in Palenque, Mexico
Itty Bitty Kyle vs the Mayan temple
Kyle stopping for some food in Palenque, Mexico
When you can't find a head of lettuce, you take what you can get
Palenque, Mexico
¡Bonito!

Tikal
The largest of the ancient Mayan cities, Tikal held more than 100,000 people at its peak.  Devoured by the jungle, Tikal is wild with nature (toucans, monkeys, falcons, large rodents, etc) as well as wild with adventure.  Just try climbing up the steep ladder onto the top of a temple where the platform is as wide as you are.  Actually, a number of the temples are closed off because people fall off and die. (one of the pyramids that Kyle climbed 4 years ago is now closed...Kyle was very unhappy.  Stop falling, people!)  Tikal also contains one of our favorite rulers, King Chocolate which coincidentally is an awesome name for a cereal.

Tikal Sunrise
Tikal during sunrise.  This is why we woke up at 3 am?
Kyle Eating Leaves at Tikal, Guatemala
Kyle eating the foliage...this one packed quite the spicy punch, like minty Hot Tomales!
Pyramid, Tikal, Guatemala
200 years ago, this was buried in jungle trees
Scary Climb at Tikal
A ladder to the top of a temple...more thrilling than your average Six Flags ride.
Jaguar Temple, Tikal, Guatemala
A picture from the top of said temple.  Taking pictures almost makes you forget the impending death by falling.
Kung Fu Kyle at Tikal
Everybody was Kung-Fu fighting (or maybe it was just Kyle)
Jaguar Temple, Tikal, Guatemala
Jaguar Temple..."60% of the time, it works every time".  Name that quote!
Coke at Tikal
The secret to staying cool

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