Our Day in Ek Balam

At 7a.m. everyone said "adios" to their host families in Merida, and then we settled in for a long drive to Ek Balam.

The first thing we did when we got there was to get coconuts!

We biked and walked to the cenote Xcanche, a freshwater swimming hole

And then it was time for a dip!

After swimming we had a delicious lunch of poc chuc, handmade tortillas and tamarind juice

Trying out the hammocks

After lunch we visited the Mayan ruins

Ek Balam means "black jaguar" in Mayan and was one of the most important cities in the region

It is the only ruin to contain a kings tomb that was found intact with stucco and paintings when part of a wall fell away during restoration

A view of the false arch and the observatory

The ceiba, the sacred tree of the Mayans. It was thought to reach the 13 levels of heaven and the 9 levels of the underworld

After a long morning, we made our way to U'najil ecocabins in the pueblo of Ek Balam for some down time

Then it was time for workshops! Autumn and Jamie perfected the art of making tortillas

Jessica spent some time with Antonia making mountains of tortillas

Nicole and Sydney learned to weave hammocks

Ek Balam is known for it's distinctive weaving style. Many of the women started weaving when they were 8 or 9 years old!

Camryn and Taylor spent some time weaving as well

Most of the hammocks made in the pueblo now are made with nylon string which gives brighter colors

Meanwhile... the teachers spent some time playing soccer with the local kids!

Headed back to the cabins

Karla and Polly talking with our group

Eating some delicious salbutes before heading to bed to rest up for the long day tomorrow!

Orientation 2024: A Journey along the East Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

We began our orientation trip for the College of the Atlantic Yucatan Program on the beautiful eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. We avoided the main tourist hubs of the Riviera while visiting historical sites, influential cities, and small communities that welcomed us in to see how they are working to preserve their environment and maintain cultural practices. Along the way, we met some amazing families, ate delicious food, learned about the history of the peninsula and worked our way closer to our final destination, the city of Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan. Our journey began on the beaches of the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where we visited one of the most important archeological sites from the Mayan Postclassic period, the ancient city of Zama, better known today as Tulu...

Our Days in Merida

This stage of the program in the capital city of Merida is the first true immersion for our students, They begin to acclimate to the way of life here with their local host families while having daily classes that push them to continue learning while also providing a comfortable space to ask questions and explore concepts. Our adventure in Merida began with a very important element of this program: meeting our host families who will walk hand-in-hand with our students for this first part of the immersion process in the city. It is thanks to our wonderful Yucatecan host families that our students will better adapt to this urban context. Another important and necessary element during our time in Merida are Spanish classes, because the language is key for interacting with, and diving into, the culture. During this class, students not only learn grammar and structure, but also develop their linguistic abilities using colloquial forms of speech. ...

Yaxunah: Our Days in the Pueblo

Before our next adventure began in the community of Yaxunah,Yaxcabá,Yucatán, we first visited the traditional pottery studio “Najil Kat” belonging to the family Espadas Xooc, in Uayma. Here, the students had the chance to explore the diverse materials and traditional techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation in this family of artists. With the help of Virgilio, we learned about the many types of local soil and clay that are mixed to make a diverse range of creations like vases, plates, mugs, toys, musical instruments, incense holders and more. As part of the workshop, each student sculpted their own little artistic creation, exploring their creativity and the skills necessary to work with the clay. Similar to the time spent in the city of Mérida, the families in Yaxunah are an invaluable aspect for the students to settle into the rhythm of everyday life. The arrival to Yaxunah marks the beginning of a beautiful new family relationship. Students can make s...

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

Search This Blog