I took this picture of the ruins at Uxmal on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico on our honeymoon in 1998.
We stayed in Cancun for a few days and then rented a car to explore the countryside. We spent a few days in Merida and on one daylong excursion into the Puuc Hills we stopped at Uxmal, which turned out to be one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever been.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
My husband had the opportunity to view the Mayan ruins on the solstice–watched the architectural shadow snakes appear to slide into the gound. I’m still jealous.
We studied Uxmal in my Spanish class this year! Most memorable was the story “El Enano de Uxmal” (The Dwarf of Uxmal).
Jessica, I think I’m jealous too. That sounds pretty awesome. I’m always amazed by the Mayan knowledge and application of astronomy.
Martha, I’m not familiar with that story. I’d never even heard of Uxmal until a few weeks before we went down there. Now, it’s one of my favorite places.
If I remember correctly, it was about a little magic dwarf who was born out of an egg, brought up by a witch, and was destined to become the king of Uxmal. The current king of Uxmal gave the enano a bunch of near impossible tests, including telling how many apples were on a tree without counting and building a palace overnight. All of these the enano passed, so he became the king of Uxmal. It was something to that effect, anyway.
[…] out for Yucatan. We visited Tulum, stayed a few days in Merida where we went to Uxmal (I posted a picture of some of the ruins here) and the Puuc Hills before returning via Chitzen Itza. Technorati Tags: mexico, cancun Posted by […]
[…] out for Yucatan. We visited Tulum, stayed a few days in Merida where we went to Uxmal (I posted a picture of some of the ruins here)Â and the Puuc Hills before returning via Chitzen […]