This image represents much more than a climb up the Xunantunich ruins. It was one of the more perplexing experiences of our entire trip. As we walked into the plaza, surrounded by such great stone ruins, we wondered what it must have been like to live in such a thriving Mayan city in ancient times before they were forced out by settlers. Almost this entire city had once been covered in soil and swallowed by dense rainforest vegetation before being excavated by archaeologists. The idea that a rainforest was able to reclaim and engulf an entire city is bewildering.
My favorite part of the tour was learning about Mayan culture, specifically the Ballgame. The Mayan Ballgame was not just a sport like it is in America; it was a sacred ritual. The ball symbolized the sun and moon, and the rhythm of the game echoed a beating heart. It’s rumored that the outcome once carried life-or-death implications, with the loser being sacrificed to the gods. When we were standing on the remains of one of the ballcourts, we imagined being in their footsteps, playing the game, and it made the experience feel more real.
Everything we learned, from their use of limestone and stucco in temples like El Castillo to the jaguar’s importance as a symbol of power, made this an unforgettable experience. This moment embodies the trip because it was not merely about sightseeing, but about deeply understanding how an entire civilization once lived and thrived.
