Cahal Pech Ruins

(I have been wrestling with this post for a few days now.. I cannot seem to format the text correctly but decided to just post it anyhow and move on! :) Please excuse the clunky text.. hopefully it is still read-able!)

Edgar our very friendly tour guide was very knowledgeable about the ancient Mayan Civilization. In addition he has spent many years studying and learning all about the vegetation of Belize and it's beneficial properties and uses both medicinal and nutritional. We were so blessed to get a lesson in horticulture and medicine as well as history!

This beautiful tree is located in the courtyard of the ruins

The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, and an altar, all situated on just 2 acres. A royal burial chamber was found in one of the structures. Included in the discovery were shell & bone ornaments, pottery vessels, obsidian blades, and jade objects, the most impressive being a jade & shell mosaic mask. One of the temples in this small complex commands the best view of the surrounding Belize River Valley. The view was wonderful but to get up there was a bit harrowing! The rain made the 82 ft high climb a bit rocky.. but what do you do when your tour guide bounds up the sheer, slippery 1,000 year old steps? Follow of course! I had Laura on my back and Grady carried Gracie. All I could think about as we admired the view from up there was "How in the WORLD are we going to get back down?"

A view from above: This is the courtyard where they kept the Mayan princesses..

The money changers pavilion

It was a scary trip back down but we all made it in one piece!

These steps were seriously so mossy and slippery.

We were all so happy to get back on solid ground!

A lovely view of one of the passages within the ruins

This is a view of the temple which we had climbed to the top of.

You can see the throne where both the King and Queen sat.

A closer view of the throne

On the left hand side of this photo you can see where they are just starting to dig.

The know that under this hill lies another temple or housing area. The

various archaeological organizations which are responsible for the digs are waiting on

funding to finish discovering just what lies under the dirt here..

Nearing the end of our tour was this gift shop.

Seemed a bit out of place in the midst of ancient old ruins..

This is the site of an ancient ball court. Strangely enough, the winner of the Mayan game was promptly beheaded and his head was used for the ball in future games. The incentive was that the family of the deceased would be moved up one rung in the social structure for their sacrifice.

Interestingly enough many of the Mayan stories and history also align up with the Bible.. a flood which washed away the evil spirits.. a man like white bird creature which descended from the sky to teach what is right and good to all the Mayan people. We enjoyed speaking with our tour guide about the correlations. We also discussing how the Mayan calendar does not show past the year 2012. Many Mayans believe there will be a great catastrophe which will once again wipe out the evil people as the flood of old and only the upright will inherit the earth. 2 of the verses which came to mind were:

Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36NLT

We are praying that our new friend finds the one true God! We also are so grateful that the Word of God does not return void ♥