TIKAL
WOW, it was so cool! There is so much to tell about Tikal. Well first i had to wake up at at 3:15 in the morning and be ready for my bus pick up at 4 am. i know early!!! So i was picked up and brought into Guatemala city. I really hate Guatemala city, even the nice part of town is dirty, lots of homless and it just has a SIN CITY feel to it. Got the airport and go on what was then smallest plane i had ever been on it, seated about 30 ppl. It was a really fast flight, it was like just as soon as the seat belt light came off it was on again because we were decending. We got to flores which is about an hour away from tikal, our guide was already there to start weaving the story about these encredible mayans.
Tikal was around for about 1000 yrs, and then died off in 850 AD. They died off because of a huge drought and then war started after that, once the people realized that the kings,queens preists and doctors were not doing much to help them, they killed them all off. When the killed them, they killed off all of the people that were smart, to sum it up.
Some major things about these ppl are ONE : they played a game that was really really hard that was almost a cross between basketball and soccor. What would happen is the winner would be known as almost a god. I specimen of man that was powerfull and supierior. In the begining the winner would then be sacfificed to the gods, and usually they would have to do it them selves. The mayans thought that the gods would be happiest with a still beating heart if possible. I know isnt that crazy!!! So after this big game the winner would stand on this rounded stone that had beautiful carving on it and well kill himself. This was an honor, usually they would be then baried with the kings and such.
The ppl we brilliant, they set up this almost pyramid, and by watching the sky 24 hours a day for who knows how long they came up with a 365 day calender, the also new when all of the eclips and season changes would be. They had to because here the soil only gose down about 6 inches so in order to have enough from the crops they had to plant more then just 1 time a year.
they figured out ways to watch to planets which is a huge mystery still bacause they dont know exsactly how they did it, they think it was kinda like the egyptions.
All around tikal the are mathmatical formations in the buildings, every thing thatwas built was built where it was for a reason. Almost all the buildinds except one were built east to west. Its to hard to explain on here so if anyone would like more info you will have to look it up but it is simply amazing how smart they were.
All the buildings in tikal are made from lime stone, which is really soft, moss has no problem growing on it so then you have trees and bushes all growing on there buildings. The researchers think that that was how it was back then because the mayans thought to try and be one with the earth, you dont hurt trees because trees are apart of you. So in 1848 when a couple of explorers were walking by they did not seeing buildings, it was only when the looked up at what is know as temple 1 they saw a cave. This was the door at the top into the building, only when the went inside did the realize that there was carvings, gold, jade and here was how tikal was founded again 100 yrs after everyone was gone from it. Think about it though, if they had not seen the door or if the door was to covered by plants, we would have never ever even found out about tikal, amazing!
i had a really good time only to be wisked back to the hotel to have lunch then on the road back home.
So i got to the airport and i was lead to the smallest plan i have been on to this dat it seated 17 ppl and well i almost had a panick attack. I didnt and got home safe but what a jouney.
I have had ths really weird cough latley that i am kinda beging to worry about because some one said it sounds like broncitise and i have officaly lost my voice. I hope it comes back soon
I have another weekend and a bit here and well i know irt will go by fast, i really just want to be done my classes, like today how can i speak? oh well i will deal with it when it comes. Not doing much this week, but this weekend i will be climbing the mighty poikia volcano, whioch is saposed to be amazing.
Lots of pictures as always.
Anyways i geuss that is it for now
love you all
Karalynn
WOW, it was so cool! There is so much to tell about Tikal. Well first i had to wake up at at 3:15 in the morning and be ready for my bus pick up at 4 am. i know early!!! So i was picked up and brought into Guatemala city. I really hate Guatemala city, even the nice part of town is dirty, lots of homless and it just has a SIN CITY feel to it. Got the airport and go on what was then smallest plane i had ever been on it, seated about 30 ppl. It was a really fast flight, it was like just as soon as the seat belt light came off it was on again because we were decending. We got to flores which is about an hour away from tikal, our guide was already there to start weaving the story about these encredible mayans.
Tikal was around for about 1000 yrs, and then died off in 850 AD. They died off because of a huge drought and then war started after that, once the people realized that the kings,queens preists and doctors were not doing much to help them, they killed them all off. When the killed them, they killed off all of the people that were smart, to sum it up.
Some major things about these ppl are ONE : they played a game that was really really hard that was almost a cross between basketball and soccor. What would happen is the winner would be known as almost a god. I specimen of man that was powerfull and supierior. In the begining the winner would then be sacfificed to the gods, and usually they would have to do it them selves. The mayans thought that the gods would be happiest with a still beating heart if possible. I know isnt that crazy!!! So after this big game the winner would stand on this rounded stone that had beautiful carving on it and well kill himself. This was an honor, usually they would be then baried with the kings and such.
The ppl we brilliant, they set up this almost pyramid, and by watching the sky 24 hours a day for who knows how long they came up with a 365 day calender, the also new when all of the eclips and season changes would be. They had to because here the soil only gose down about 6 inches so in order to have enough from the crops they had to plant more then just 1 time a year.
they figured out ways to watch to planets which is a huge mystery still bacause they dont know exsactly how they did it, they think it was kinda like the egyptions.
All around tikal the are mathmatical formations in the buildings, every thing thatwas built was built where it was for a reason. Almost all the buildinds except one were built east to west. Its to hard to explain on here so if anyone would like more info you will have to look it up but it is simply amazing how smart they were.
All the buildings in tikal are made from lime stone, which is really soft, moss has no problem growing on it so then you have trees and bushes all growing on there buildings. The researchers think that that was how it was back then because the mayans thought to try and be one with the earth, you dont hurt trees because trees are apart of you. So in 1848 when a couple of explorers were walking by they did not seeing buildings, it was only when the looked up at what is know as temple 1 they saw a cave. This was the door at the top into the building, only when the went inside did the realize that there was carvings, gold, jade and here was how tikal was founded again 100 yrs after everyone was gone from it. Think about it though, if they had not seen the door or if the door was to covered by plants, we would have never ever even found out about tikal, amazing!
i had a really good time only to be wisked back to the hotel to have lunch then on the road back home.
So i got to the airport and i was lead to the smallest plan i have been on to this dat it seated 17 ppl and well i almost had a panick attack. I didnt and got home safe but what a jouney.
I have had ths really weird cough latley that i am kinda beging to worry about because some one said it sounds like broncitise and i have officaly lost my voice. I hope it comes back soon
I have another weekend and a bit here and well i know irt will go by fast, i really just want to be done my classes, like today how can i speak? oh well i will deal with it when it comes. Not doing much this week, but this weekend i will be climbing the mighty poikia volcano, whioch is saposed to be amazing.
Lots of pictures as always.
Anyways i geuss that is it for now
love you all
Karalynn
posted by Karalynn at 7:44 AM
6 Comments:
Hello Tiff: what a trip!! I hope you have taken not just a few picks of that adventure. Cultural anthroplogy lesson or what?! I am concerned about your cough. Best to get some antibiotics and nip it in the bud before it can become a pneumonia. I urge u to watch that very carefully. I am back in new york after another weekend on Daytona. Went to Rudy and Sharilyn's new home--actually I talked with you from there. THey have a very nice place--I am so happy for them at this time in their lives to have this gift. Thanks for the calls, it means alot to hear your voice. I will let you know when i have all taxi arrangements made in Lima. Dad
wow what a history! your very fortunate that you are able to experience the history of other cultures. good thing they don't still practice some of the traditions now. it is sooo cold here! the cold you have experienced lately is nothing like here it's like -40 with the wind chill. i'm sure you know. you should really get that cough checked out as soon as possible you never know. you would not want to cut your trip short.ttyl take care! miss you lots! sheila :)
This was christine, I was using Katie's Blog
hahaha very funny christine, you were always a joker! but my trip is not like your guys!!!!!!!!!
ya thats right!
Karalynn
Sa wat dee Kara! (hello)
sorry this is the first time i have written, but things are a bit crazy on my side of the world! Your trip sounds incredible! I wish i couls afford to do more crazy things, but although Thailand is cheap, excurtions are not. I wanted to go scuba diving, but it cost $400, and i just cant shell out that kind of cash right now!
Well, i dont know if you have been reading my emails, but it is amazing here. You have no idea how nice Thai people are. They are the most friendly people in the world, i swear! I love there customs too. In many shops and restaurants,as well as at home, you take off your shoes before you enter. I believe it pays respect to the Buddha. And when you are thanking someone, you bow slightly with your hands in prayer form at your throat. Its called tai. Well, i hope you enjoy studying while on vacation. What an amazing experience. I have been practicing my Thai, but my vocabulary is limited to aprox 10 words. It is also about 35 dgrees here, and i heard its -30 in cow-town, so i am definately not compaining! My skin has gone from glaringly white to just pastey, so thats a plus for me!
Ok, i better cut this off now! Take care of yourself! One of the guys has broncitous too, and he sounds terrible, but wont go see anyone, so put that health care to some use, pending you purchased some!
Love G
Wow, I wish I was there actually seeing the anthropology first hand instead of just taking it in school...though I suppose mine is a little different. Wish me luck on my exam on Wed, though! And the one on Thursday....I don't even want to think about it. Sorry: preoccupied with my own things - it sounds so amazing. Looking into the past like that, realising that there were other cultures than ours, and trying to see the world through such a different perspective- can you imagine being willing to sacrifice yourself? Yet it was considered an honour. Our worldviews are shaped in such different contexts now. Now to be serious- go get that cough checked out. If you've lost you're voice it's not a passing cold. I'm shaking my finger at you for not going sooner.
I miss you hon; call me soon!
Love, Jenn
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