Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

     On behalf of all of us here at PICY,  ¡Feliz Navidad y Prospero año Nuevo! The students have the 24th (Noche Buena) and 25th (Navidad) off from classes, but we'll be together again on Friday for a normal school day. Here are a few photos from Monday night's Christmas Festival, including some photos of the students with their Yucatecan families (two students escaped with their families before I could take their photo!).  Emmanuel Guillermo Emma Rosita Galo y Lilyana Nina Seth Jay Kendall Karla giving the welcoming address Dance of las chicas Merengue! Mexican Christmas carols The meal ( tamales y espaghetti) And of course, the pi ñata!      Happy Holidays from all of us here in Yucatan!

     Yesterday we went on a field trip to an archaeological site that has many un-restored pyramids in the area surrounding the site that is open to visitors. We were able to go and visit one of these sites that, from the road looks like a small mountain. That is the first indicator that there is something special because there are very few natural hills in Yucatan, let alone mountains! To arrive to the base of the location, we drove down a rough dirt road and then got out  to follow three   señores and our guides who were opening a path for us through the forest with machetes. After about a forty-minute trek and a detour to observe the ruins of a mayan house, we finally arrived at the base of the "castle." Another trek to the top and we were rewarded with an incredible view! At the bottom once again, we shared the traditional mid-day snack of pozole , which is slightly cooked cornmeal that you dissolve in water and drink with salt and chile. It's still made daily by many