This entry and the few which will follow chronicle my journey with an old friend throughout the Yucatan peninsula. They are shown in no particular order, but for the whim with which I choose to upload them. This is only fitting, as we travelled around in no particular order in a cockamamy scheme to save money (although all that back-tracking actually completely upset whatever money we saved by flying to the 'cheap' airport from MC). Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, with only minimal descriptions, which is no small task for me, as I tend to (and generally enjoy to) ramble.
Calakmul is a vast Mayan city in the southesat part of Campeche state kissing the border of Guatemala. Actually, it is the largest known Mayan site anywhere in Latin America. However, nearly all of it still covered by about a thousand years of accumulation of jungle, which adds up fast. Take for instance, the parasitic vine/tree shown above: it envelops and kills it's host, which then decays, leaving the unusual profile above.
The site also happens to be in the largest protected biosphere in Mexico, complete with monkeys, tucans, jaguars, and more. We only saw the monkeys though. Pictured above is a spider monkey. It's the best shot I have of them, as they move very quickly and hang out in the canopy. However, I must saw I captured this one's
pelotas blancas perfectly.
For all there aspirations to heavenly greatness, I think pre-Colombian architecture must rank among the great horizontal architectures of the world. That is, while there pyramids reached to the heavens, they were still very much in touch with the earth from which they drew there sustainence, at once in touch with the sun and the stars and the maize which completed the great cycle.
The steele which serve as introduction to nearly every significant edifice at the site are unique in my experience of the architectures of various Mexican cultures. Also, nature and time have created a very interesting situation here with the stepped arboretum, as steps usually look over open grounds.
Of course, the GREAT pyramid of Calakmul. Every site has an alpha pyramid, but this one stands out amongst the others for it's size, it's well proportioned acropolis, and the view from it's summit.
Behold, the green ocean. Nothing but jungle for 60 kilometers in every direction.
The jungle stumps the pyramids, and the pyramids stump the man, always fighting for his own unique place in the natural world. Anyway, so long friend. I wish you all the best back at home.
Calakmul is a vast Mayan city in the southesat part of Campeche state kissing the border of Guatemala. Actually, it is the largest known Mayan site anywhere in Latin America. However, nearly all of it still covered by about a thousand years of accumulation of jungle, which adds up fast. Take for instance, the parasitic vine/tree shown above: it envelops and kills it's host, which then decays, leaving the unusual profile above.
The site also happens to be in the largest protected biosphere in Mexico, complete with monkeys, tucans, jaguars, and more. We only saw the monkeys though. Pictured above is a spider monkey. It's the best shot I have of them, as they move very quickly and hang out in the canopy. However, I must saw I captured this one's pelotas blancas perfectly. 
For all there aspirations to heavenly greatness, I think pre-Colombian architecture must rank among the great horizontal architectures of the world. That is, while there pyramids reached to the heavens, they were still very much in touch with the earth from which they drew there sustainence, at once in touch with the sun and the stars and the maize which completed the great cycle.
The steele which serve as introduction to nearly every significant edifice at the site are unique in my experience of the architectures of various Mexican cultures. Also, nature and time have created a very interesting situation here with the stepped arboretum, as steps usually look over open grounds. 
Of course, the GREAT pyramid of Calakmul. Every site has an alpha pyramid, but this one stands out amongst the others for it's size, it's well proportioned acropolis, and the view from it's summit.
Behold, the green ocean. Nothing but jungle for 60 kilometers in every direction.
The jungle stumps the pyramids, and the pyramids stump the man, always fighting for his own unique place in the natural world. Anyway, so long friend. I wish you all the best back at home.
1 comment:
Happppppy Birthday Trip duuuude!!!
Post a Comment