Traveling Applejax

Chichen Itza Declared One of the New Seven Wonders of the World!!

So, I´m not sure if you´re aware, but on 7/7/07 “they” announced the New Seven Wonders of the World. Who are “they”? Well, I don´t know who set up this whole thing, but apparently people all over the world voted online for the wonders bestowed this precious honor. Chichen Itza, the Mayan ruins we visted on the 4th of July, is one of the New 7 Wonders. Machu Picuhu in Peru is another that we hope to visit on this trip. For more info and to learn what the other 5 new wonders are, check out this web site: http://www.new7wonders.com/ To learn more about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, check out this web site that I found: http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/

Also, take a gander at these pics from Chichen Itza that I´m finally posting!

El Castillo, the impressive pyramid at the center of the site. Too bad nobody´s allowed to climb to the top anymore.

See the hook that looks like a great place to hang a towel? It´s a nose. Can you see the face now? This is the Mayan rain god.

The hoop in the center of this picture is about 20ft. from the ground. It is part of a game the Mayans used to play. The object of the game was to get a hard rubber ball through this hoop. The first team to score won; the losers of important games were often beheaded. Doesn´t sound too hard, right? Sounds like a quick game? Well, players were only allowed to “shoot” the ball through the hoop using their hips, their shoulders, or their elbows. Crazy.

Mike, in a doorway of one of the structures at Chichen Itza. Maybe this is why they don´t let people climb the pyramid anymore. Fun pic though. See why he´s called Mr. Whiskers?