Gypsy Toes: November 2009

November 4, 2009

Cenote, Mexico

The underground river systems of the Yucatan flow beneath the entire peninsula. During the ice ages when the ocean levels were much lower than they are today, what was once a giant coral reef became exposed to the atmosphere and eventually became the Yucatan Peninsula. Massive cave systems were formed by gradual dissolving of the highly porous coral limestone. These caves are called "solution caves" because they were formed by the slightly acidic rainfall dissolving the alkaline limestone. Inside the caves the geological formations such as stalactites and stalagmites are a spectacular sight to see. Many of the caverns eventually collapsed and the sea levels rose partially or completely flooding the cave systems. The water table of the entire peninsula is filled with consists of seawater at sea level and freshwater 'floating' on top at varying depth depending on the distance from the sea.

** If you look closely on the top right side of the stalatite, you'll see 2 little local boys. They like to jump for a small propina...

November 3, 2009

Il Kil Cenote, Mexico

I rode around the Yucatan Peninsula for a couple of days with a wonderful Brazilian writer on the hunt for Cenotes. I was able to fire off 3 shots before a deluge of rain hit the area. On the second nite heading into Merida, I kept commenting, "this is HURRICANE RAIN!!!" It was only the next day on the way to the Wild9 Congress that I saw a lad on the side of the road selling newspapers with a large headline reading HURACAN. (I don't tend to watch tv when having an adventure, how was I to know that Hurricane Ida was kissing the coast of the Yucatan?!)

November 2, 2009

Chichen Itza, Mexico

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World!!

El Castillo

Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulkan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle). This step pyramid has a ground plan of square terraces with stairways up each of the four sides to the temple on top. On the Spring and Autumn equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent - Kukulcan, or Quetzalcoatl - along the west side of the north staircase. On these two annual occasions, the shadows from the corner tiers slither down the northern side of the pyramid with the sun's movement to the serpent's head at the base.

November 1, 2009

Celestun, Mexico

October 31, 2009

Merida, Mexico

Frida... isn't she lovely?

October 30, 2009

Merida, Mexico

Day of the Dead is celebrated in Merida for 3 days. In the town square (Zocala) many families set up altars for their deceased loved ones. Laid out on this altar is a display of personal possessions and favorite food of the father. In some parts of Mexico the families will spend the day at the graveyard cleaning up around the grave and eating a picnic. A little something for everyone!

not for sale!