Saturday, January 4, 2014- Cahal Pech, Mayan ruin in San Ignacio

Saturday, January 4, 2014- Cahal Pech, Mayan ruin in San Ignacio
Today was an adventure to the past. We visited the Mayan ruin Cahal Pech meaning "Place of the Ticks" in San Ignacio. This site is one of the oldest recognizable Maya sites in western Belize. We were planning on visiting another site, but with all the rain we were not able to make it. All in all, we were not disappointed with our visit to Cahal Pech.

Before heading to the ruins, we ate the traditional Belizean breakfast of scrambled eggs, refried beans, bacon, fried jacks, and some fruit. We definitely needed the energy to take on the ruin.  

After we arrived at the entrance to the ruin, we were greeted by our tour guide, Adrian. Adrian is fluent in a Mayan dialect as well as Spanish and English. 

We first went through the museum of the ruin learning about the history and artifacts found in the museum from the architecture to the weapons the Mayans used in warfare. 

Then, we toured Cahal Pech learning about what each area was used for when the Mayans inhabited the area. Limestone was the main resource used to construct the site. 

Touring and learning about the ruins was a rewarding and enlightening experience. Adrian informed us that some of the Mayan customs were adopted by the Catholic Church like the use of incense. 

Learning about the process of human sacrificing was also interesting. Adrian told us about a game the Mayans would play with using a rubber ball that they got from a tree to throw through a small hoop. It was almost impossible to play. The people were chosen- mostly men, boys, and sometimes women. The game would go on for days between five and nine and the winners would be sacrificed because they're the most worthy. It was an honor. He told us that women were sacrificed to certain gods like the rain or moon god. They were special. The sacrifices happened at the beginning of planting season in hopes of blessing the community with a plentiful crop. Their main crop was corn.

Adrian also explained to us that the Mayans viewed caves as a form of life source. Dead bodies were placed in caves because they believed that the caves helped with reincarnation.

The tour was more than we could have predicted and definitely worth trekking through the rain and slips across the limestone and moss.

After the ruins, we had lunch at Hode's Place where many of us enjoyed the special of the day, Escabeche- an onion and chicken soup served with white rice and corn tortillas. The lime juice was delicious and some of us enjoyed chocolate, papaya, and strawberry banana shakes. 

We returned to the hotel, the Log Cab-Inn, where we all worked on our presentations for the Stella Maris school. After discussing our presentations, we got ready to head into town for shopping and dinner at the Ko-Ox-Han-Nah. 

If you're ever in San Ignacio, check out this restaurant and try the curry or chicken soup with coconut milk. Definitely worth the trip. 

Stephanie Perez
Founding Secretary, Students for Global Communication