Ruins, Rias and Bike Rides- our trip around Yucatan

For the past two days we have been traveling around the peninsula and seeing some pretty amazing sites. Our first morning was an early one, at 6:30am we rode bikes to see a milpa, the traditional form of rotation agriculture in the Yucatan.

It was a beautiful, cool morning

The fields look a lot different from the agriculture that we are used to. The useful trees are kept instead of cut down, like these guano trees whose leaves are used to make the thatched roof of the homes.

With our guides

After breakfast we headed off to the Mayan ruins, but had time to braid hair in the van!

We had some coconuts first to keep our energy up for all the walking!

Karla explains a little bit about the archaeological site

The group at the base of a ceiba, the sacred tree of the Mayans. We thunked it a few times to hear the sound the hollow trunk makes.

This tree was thought to connect the heavens with the earth and the underworld

Exploring ancient bedrooms

Karla explains the estella which was an announcement written in stone to tell the people of a new ruler or conquest

Getting ready to climb to the top of the big pyramid!

They're going to make it!

We met some Mayans on the way out and took the opportunity to take a few fun pictures.

These young men dress up as Mayans from long ago, but they really are Mayan and still speak their native language

They live in the next town over, which shares a name with the Mayan ruins. We even saw one fixing his roof later that evening!

Then it was time for another bike ride, but this time to a refreshing cenote!

In the afternoon we tried our hand at hammock weaving

A very tranquilo activity

Different students tried out different weaving techniques

And they had some fun chatting with their hosts, too!

While we were walking around it started to pour, but we caught a picture of the rainbow before running for cover!

They learned quickly!

And some even bought hammocks from their instructors!

The next morning we said goodbye to the eco-cabins and headed to Ria Lagartos for a tour of the mangroves and salt flats.

On our way back into the city we stopped at the general cemetery of Merida, which has a lot of very important people buried there.

We learned a little about the story of Felipe Carillo Puerto, the first socialist governor of Yucatan who translated the constitution into Mayan and began returning land to the native people.

Then we had some time to explore

A HUGE thank you to our driver for two wonderful days of exploration. Hasta luego!

Small Town Days: Our time in Yaxunah

Before we began our time in the rural community of Yaxunah, we passed through the small city of Acanceh, where we were able to tour through the market and visit the prehispanic structures that make up the ancient Mayan settlement that today is fused with the architecture and modernity of the town. These ancient structures tell their story through the exposed stones and glimpses of preserved stucco. The pyramid of the masks holds eight stuccoed masks, two on each side of the structure, each one with characteristics associated with the sun god Kinich Ahau. A few blocks away, past the large catholic church and down a side street, surrounded by family homes, the Palace of Stuccos has a frisee that adorns the north face of the building with zoomorphic beings. Just like in the city, the best part of the program is when the students get to meet their new host families. The family is the main pillar of support for the student’s immersion into any context, but it is especially important in smal

The Grand Adventure: Orientation Trip

Our orientation trip began in the southern part of the state of Yucatan, in the community of San Mateo, where we were able to explore the natural resources of the area and learn about a few of the most important trees in the Mayan culture. We also admired historic buildings in the middle of the jungle that are evidence of military bases that were established along the ancient roads of Yucatan after the Caste War. One of the most fascinating experiences we had was entering into what the ancient Mayans knew as the inframundo , or the underworld. We rappelled down into the cenote of San Mateo, breaking the silence within and sending hundreds of bats circling around the high vaulted ceiling of this massive natural well. It is a unique experience that very few people are lucky enough to see. The next part of our trip took place in the state of Quintana Roo, where we were awed by the beauty and culture of the region. We enjoyed our stay at the lakeside cabañas Síijil Noh Há. The food was g

Merida: Our Days in the City

The first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families, is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. In our case, here in Merida, host families are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of their time in Merida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more completely in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing the everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. Mayan culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical context for wha

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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