The ancient that I have found in me

by Maria Julia Almeida de Araujo (Brazil)

I didn't expect to find Mexico

As I was told that we were going to visit Mexico I thought that it would be just another beach and sun travel, and it was for the begging, we arrived in Cancun and went straight to our resort, it was one of the most amazing places I have ever been, it had a pyramidal shape, which opened in the center where plants were hanging from the ceiling, it was as we were in a modern forest. I was curious about the resort so I went to explore it and found out lots of sculptures and relaxing bungalows. The surprise came when we went for a tour, I didn't know where we were going actually but I was listening to the guide as he was telling the history of ancient people that lived there a long time ago and we stopped at a community that had been conserving the Maia traditions they had constructions made out of wood, there was senior cooking some king of pancake make out of corn in a fireplace, inside of what was supposed to be an old Maia house, the walls were made by Adobe, the ceiling was build in straw, it was really cozy. In this community they had a well which you have to go down for a not that safe stair made with rocks, but when you get there you see the most beautiful blue water and in its center a circular stage also on rocks and in the ceiling, it has a hole in the middle where the light flows into that water making it even brighter, as I was enchanted by it I would not miss the chance to jump into this water! But it was a trap! That water was the coldest I ever stepped into! Well but a little cold would not stop me, I was freezing but that place was so beautiful and mysterious and I loved the experience of being in there and it was so peaceful... Peaceful? I thought so. As a group of Maia went down playing drums, I got a fright they went for the middle of the stone stage on the water, they lighted up a smoke in the air and as the drums were played the danced and the water was dancing with them, it was a moment of spiritual revelations. The journey wasn't finished, when we got dry and went back to the van the guide was telling us about the rock pyramid that has no precedent, and the scientists are still trying to figure out how it was built, it took another half hour to arrive at the destination that from far we could not see it... As we passed by the trees and stepped into the dry square (the name given to the space in front of the temple so people could gather to listen to their leader) the enormous structure made all out of rocks jumped into our vision as an architecture student I was stunned the rocks were so big that I was smaller than one piece of it, we were following the guide as he explained how life was used to be in that place showing us the place were they used to play a ball game a giant camp with high walls on the side in each had a vertical basket smaller and the players would have to make the ball pass-through the ring without using their hands. Also, we saw the places where they would do sacrifices for the snake God, the fertility God, for bringing a good harvest. There was also a hall of heroes where more than 100 statues were placed to represent their people. But the most amazing thing is that everything they have built was influenced by the starts and how they moved. At the end of the day, as I couldn't walk anymore and the sun was burning I was thinking of this place, as somewhere that shows humanity that we are capable of so much! If they have done all of those constructions and we don't even know how... It was a learning experience for me and for my spirit. We went back... To the swimming pool.