The Wonder that is Chichén Itzá
If you read this website, then you've probably heard by now that the Pyramid of Kukúlcan at Chichén Itzá is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We watched the award ceremony yesterday on our computers (while working, of course), switching back and forth between the New 7 Wonders presentation and the Live Earth concerts. It was a big day for live events around the world, and a big day for the Yucatan. The award was received by the Mexican Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, and our very own Governor, Patricio Patrón.
We're pleased for them, of course, that Chichén Itzá was has become one of the New 7 Wonders. We know this probably means a lot more visitors to the area. It certainly is going to mean a lot more marketing of Chichén Itzá itself (hard to imagine sometimes). But we wonder if it will bring more prosperity to the small town of Piste next to Chichén Itzá and the surrounding Maya villages, not just to the coffers of the Mexican government. We wonder if it will bring more awareness of the Maya world-view and traditions. We wonder if this is just the beginning of more attention coming to Yucatan leading up to the year 2012.
Yucatan Living is about exposing the fact that there is a lot more to this area than tourist attraction called Chichén Itzá, both for people who live here and for people who want to break out of the tourist bubble. But certainly, seeing the Pyramid of Kukúlcan and the exotic and mysterious structures that surround it is what gets a lot of people hooked on this part of the world. The mystery is right out there in the open, in a lot of ways.
Anyone who sees it can't help but wonder... WHY did they build these structures? What did they look like when they were painted? What did they do inside the Pyramid ? Why is there a statue there? And the most-asked question, how did they move all those rocks without using the wheel? (Of course, anyone who is building a house here has one answer to that... they just carried them. We are frequently amazed by the size and weight of things that Maya men are able to carry. Okay, we know that isn't the only answer, but it might be part of the answer.)
One of the most wonderful things about the Yucatan is that there is a lot to wonder about here. Our friend Trudy of Iluminado Tours conducts sacred tours of the Maya world that include a guided shamanic tour of Chichén Itzá. If you've been to Chichén Itzá a few dozen times - every time family or friends come to visit - seeing it from a Maya spiritual point of view can give you an added dimension of understanding and appreciation.
No matter how many times you visit the magic site of Chichén Itzá, we wish you moments of wonder.
To celebrate Chichén Itzá's inclusion on the list of the New 7 Wonders of the World, we have put a few of our many photos of Chichén Itzá into our Photo Gallery. They include photos of Old Chichen, an ongoing archaeological site on the grounds of Hacienda Chichén.
To read about one of our wonderful experiences at Chichén Itzá, see our article, called Los Tres Caballeros a Chichén Itzá.
Comments
Pepe Razo 16 years ago
Tienes que estar en este lugar pa entender u presente, pasado y futuro...
De prefencia ven con alguien que ames...y si estas solo, no importa, esto es magico.
You have to be in this place to understand your present, past and future...
I recommend that you come here with someone that you love . Even if you are alone, it doesn't matter... it is magic.
Saludos a todos.
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Danay(cubana) 17 years ago
nice nice eh mexico lo mejor ..
me justa mucho quisiera conocer esa linda maravilla que tiene el pais mas hermoso mexico...
me gusta mucho
felisidades
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Sybille 17 years ago
Chichen Itza has been a place of spiritual power for centuries.People perceive these wonderful vibrations unconsiously.It´s a magical place!
Wait for 2012!You have to have a telescope to watch the begining of a New Cycle in the sky,although the sky is so clear in the nights that you can watch the stars without a telescope.This is going to be an real astronomical event.
Cheers
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Betty Herrera 17 years ago
Chichén Itzá, is a Wonder... it is magic... if you go there, you'll come back in love, in love with the place, the people, the food... and don't forget go to Merida, it is a dream... actually I live in United States, but I lived 4 years over there... and now, I can say it is the most beautiful place in Mexico.
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Brian 17 years ago
I'm 40 and 12 years until I retire. Hello Mexico!! I've been there in 2004 and 2006...god I love this area. Also, Costa Maya is the investment hot spot right now on the Mayan Riveria.
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Working Gringos 17 years ago
Like we have any control over that!
You can still enjoy one of the Castillo's magical acoustical powers by standing in front of the stairs and clapping once loudly. You will hear a most amazing sound! And you can still go inside the pyramid, which, in our book takes more courage than climbing on top of it.
We think they closed it because the wear and tear of 1.5 million pairs of feet every year wasn't doing the pyramid any good. We are also pretty sure those people who fell are really sorry and won't do it again.
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Bill Scott 17 years ago
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the city last month. However, I was disappointed that you can no longer climb the pyramid and experience it's magical acoustical powers. You can stand at the top and talk at a normal speaking voice and someone at the bottom can hear you perfectly. Being able to do this type of thing is one of the great things about Mexico. Now this type of activity is lost because of two idiots falling to their death.Please re-open the climb....
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Magda Avila 17 years ago
La piramide de Kukulkan en Chichen Itza.
Si debe ser una de las 7 nuevas Maravillas que se estan buscando.
Tiene mucho que Admirarse.
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Khaki 17 years ago
So - the Pyramid of Kukúlcan at Chichén Itzá is named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World within 5 years of 2012. Its gonna be a busy 5 years in Yucatan!
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