garyandpearl

On Wednesday morning, Gary was signed up for deep sea fishing, so we awoke to see the sunrise at 5:45, but realized that because we couldn’t see the sun due to clouds, that fishing may be off! It was called off, and so we signed up for a day trip to Chichen Itza instead.

We loaded the bus around 8:30 and took a 2- 3/4 hour bus ride to see this famous Mayan Site. The most well-known structure is the pyramid which has been mostly reconstructed, but there are several structures on the site.

The Mayan young men would play a game of skill in a large playing field where they would have to throw a ball through a hoop extended from the wall.

The winner would be sacrificed to Kukulcan, their fertility god, at this altar. It did not pay to be the winner in this sport!

We did find some beauty in this previously morbid and evil site, however.

We enjoyed a two hour guided tour and then had some time to shop at the various vendors before enjoying a Mexican lunch at the Mayaland hotel. Authentic tortillas were enjoyed along with banana ice cream and churros. After last minute purchases, we all returned to the bus for our trip back to Cancun. We had siesta time on the way there and back, so we were ready for our beach party at 7 pm.

Due to weather, the beach party was relocated to inside a ballroom, but the mariachi band provided great entertainment and the theme was definitely a Mexican fiesta. We shared our table with some great northern Alberta folks from Girouxville and Hythe. I may have overdone my dessert portions, but I wanted to try each one!

Thursday morning came early as we had an 8:00 session on Arthritis and then another on natural health products. We enjoyed reconnecting with pharmacists that we knew and meeting some new people as well. A downpour outside caused our inside restaurant to be overloaded at lunch, but all were fed in good time.

Gary and I headed back on the R2 bus and went shopping at the flea market. After the initial feeling of being fed to the sharks, we settled into our shopping and found a few souvenirs. Gary had a great time bantering and bartering with some friendly Mexicans. 🙂

Our supper on the beach had been moved indoors again due to rain and wind. We enjoyed more great food, more connecting with pharmacy folks, and there was a live band stirring up the crowd. “Elvis” even made an appearance! Goodnight for now!