Uxmal 5 November 2018
Mexico
Uxmal
Today we visited Uxmal, an ancient Mayan city about an hour out of Merida. We hired a driver, Alex, to take us. He and his wife Joanna own Destino Merida tours.
Alex picked us up early in the morning so we could see the ruins while temperatures are at their coolest (least warm might be more descriptive) and when there would be few visitors. As promised, when we arrived we pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Once at Uxmal he handed us off to a local fellow who guided us through the town. Afterwards Alex drove us to the charming Hacienda Ochil for a Yucatan lunch. Ochil was once a working plantation and it is well preserved; it's complete with extensive beautiful grounds, artwork, railroad, and even a cenote.
As we talked with Alex we learned more about Mexico and the Yucatan and, this being US-election eve, we even talked a little politics. Alex is very informative and we had a nice tour. I'd highly recommend him.
For dinner tonight we walked all the way to the end of our block --- in other words, we barely moved --- where we ate at the Italian restaurant Oliva Enoteca. It's the fourth restaurant we've visited on the block. Each has been stellar.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/1900s 200 iso
This three-level pyramid greets you as you enter Uxmal. It has unexpectedly rounded corners. A steep staircase climbs the eastern side. If you clap in front of the pyramid it is said to emit a bird-like echo.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/1900s 200 iso
This three-level pyramid greets you as you enter Uxmal. It has unexpectedly rounded corners. A steep staircase climbs the eastern side. If you clap in front of the pyramid it is said to emit a bird-like echo.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 18mm f/6.4 1/1900s 200 iso
This three-level pyramid greets you as you enter Uxmal. It has unexpectedly rounded corners. A steep staircase climbs the eastern side. If you clap in front of the pyramid it is said to emit a bird-like echo.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
A very steep staircase embellished with carved masks climbs the west side.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
A very steep staircase embellished with carved masks climbs the west side.
The Pyramid of the Soothsayer
A very steep staircase embellished with carved masks climbs the west side.
The top of the pyramid
At the top of the west side the stairs reaches a doorway carved to represent the mouth of a serpent.
The top of the pyramid
At the top of the west side the stairs reaches a doorway carved to represent the mouth of a serpent.
The top of the pyramid
At the top of the west side the stairs reaches a doorway carved to represent the mouth of a serpent.
Iguana
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/5.6 1/1250s 200 iso
The grounds of Uxmal feature a lot of Iguanas. This one's maybe a couple of feet long.
Iguana
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/5.6 1/1250s 200 iso
The grounds of Uxmal feature a lot of Iguanas. This one's maybe a couple of feet long.
Iguana
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/5.6 1/1250s 200 iso
The grounds of Uxmal feature a lot of Iguanas. This one's maybe a couple of feet long.
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/6.4 1/2200s 200 iso
The stone facades are covered with snakes and turtles, people, and representations of the water god, water being of special importance to the Mayans.
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/6.4 1/2200s 200 iso
The stone facades are covered with snakes and turtles, people, and representations of the water god, water being of special importance to the Mayans.
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 55mm f/6.4 1/2200s 200 iso
The stone facades are covered with snakes and turtles, people, and representations of the water god, water being of special importance to the Mayans.
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 36mm f/5.6 1/1700s 200 iso
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 36mm f/5.6 1/1700s 200 iso
Stone detail
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 36mm f/5.6 1/1700s 200 iso
Pyramid of the soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 53mm f/5.6 1/1500s 200 iso
Pyramid of the soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 53mm f/5.6 1/1500s 200 iso
Pyramid of the soothsayer
Uxmal, Mexico
Nov 5, 2018
X-Pro2 18-55 53mm f/5.6 1/1500s 200 iso
https://www.jamesgaston.ca/1182
Hacienda Ochil 2 December 2018
Mexico
Uxmal
Not far from Uxmal is Hacienda Ochil. It's a place where sisal was once grown and the leaves harvested then processed into fibers. It is now a restaurant and event space, as well as an open-air museum.
I'm listening to Brian Eno's An Ending (Ascent).
Abandoned mill with orange walls
Abandoned mill with orange walls
Abandoned mill with orange walls
Cenote turned amphitheater
The hacienda is now an event space, and events sometimes need an amphitheater. The owners created one from a cenote, which is a common geologic feature of the Yucatan. A cenote is a water-filled sinkhole that results from the collapse of limestone bedrock. They are sources of water but, as you can see, they can also serve other purposes.
Cenote turned amphitheater
The hacienda is now an event space, and events sometimes need an amphitheater. The owners created one from a cenote, which is a common geologic feature of the Yucatan. A cenote is a water-filled sinkhole that results from the collapse of limestone bedrock. They are sources of water but, as you can see, they can also serve other purposes.
Cenote turned amphitheater
The hacienda is now an event space, and events sometimes need an amphitheater. The owners created one from a cenote, which is a common geologic feature of the Yucatan. A cenote is a water-filled sinkhole that results from the collapse of limestone bedrock. They are sources of water but, as you can see, they can also serve other purposes.
Paul and Noema on tour
Paul, Noema, and Alex (from
Destino Merida tours) tour the grounds where the sisal plants were grown, harvested, transported, then processed.
Paul and Noema on tour
Paul, Noema, and Alex (from
Destino Merida tours) tour the grounds where the sisal plants were grown, harvested, transported, then processed.
Paul and Noema on tour
Paul, Noema, and Alex (from
Destino Merida tours) tour the grounds where the sisal plants were grown, harvested, transported, then processed.
Restaurant serves Yucatecan fare
Restaurant serves Yucatecan fare
Restaurant serves Yucatecan fare
https://www.jamesgaston.ca/1244
