Karina was reminded of Dr. Horn's chemistry class last semester before we even left Merida...
There were some casualties on the way to the cave (badger or some other kind or R.O.U.S. we think).
Yet another casualty; our first flat tire out here.
We were reminded of death (actually, this was something that did go our way). We (and especially Karina) wanted to see a cemetery like this. We are interested in how other cultures handle death. Notice, these bodies aren't hidden six feet in the ground. Some of the "caskets" were within reaching distance from outside the resting place structure-thingies...
Then we passed this landfill full of vultures (so cute) and people (like vultures) scavenging through the rubbish.
We also got turned around in two different, very confusing little towns (although they were beautiful) for a couple of hours in search for gas. It was looking like we weren't going to get to the caves in time after all. Finally, we got back on course, promised ourselves not to be distracted by roadkill, cemeteries, or anything else that might keep us from our goal, and, although our chances were slim, proceeded with renewed hope of arriving at our destination.
*fingers crossed*
Miraculously, we arrived at Las Grutas de Lol Tun only five minutes after the last tour began. Pulling into the parking lot of the site's administration building, the view of this Mayan statue told us that everything would be ok. . .
Ok ok.
Q: Did Karina and Justin carve this statue?
A: No, obviously.
Q: Did we take a picture of it?
A: Yes, obviously.
Q: Would you have?
A: Probably...
Q: Who was the crafter of this obelisk of sorts then?
A: Someone belonging to a highly-advanced, ancient civilization that valued art and the preservation of his/her/their society's values to a great extent.
Q: (and maybe the best questions of all) Why? Why would such a person or people feel the need to document his/her/their enthusiasm for human reproductive organs in such a lasting way?
hmmm. Must be something to all that. . .
Although this unit of cultural expression, standing alone, may arouse the notion that Mayan culture is/was phallo-centric, trust us, there are plenty Mayan depictions of Mayan lady-parts as well.
Then, we went down this little backdoor path behind the administration building...
...headed to Karina's right in this photo, passed these tropical hanging gardens and teaser-caverns...
Until we went in HHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
OOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out that formation! (the cave is nice too)
Justin is excited to swing from the dangling stalactites.
*whistles affectedly*
"Niiiiice stalactite. That's a good boy."
These pillars are in the middle/bottom of these MASSIVE grutas (the scale of which is hard to convey, even with pictures) and they give the caves their name. When struck, they freaking make music man. The sounds carry throughout the many rooms of these caves that extend under and across more than a kilometer. The sounds are kind of like the lowest string of a bass guitar being plucked, or like a Bonang (if you know what that is. Thanks World Music class! [and Myrna]).
These formations wigged Karina out a bit.
They were almost too intense to handle.
We were still figuring out how to take low-light pictures with our camera (we have figured it out since, which our blog fans may soon be grateful for), so the flash in some of these shots bleaches out the beautiful, natural colors, while the non-flash shots don't always pull enough light. But you get the idea, and the "cavish" pictures that we've taken since Lol Tun look much better. Soon to come...
We had to catch up to the tour group, so the camera flash and Karina's flashlight lit our way as the cave lights, set on timers, snuffed out in front of us.
Just one of the big rooms. At least a dozen this size. This one is called "The Grand Canyon."
Justin was also wigged out by the formations.
"I'm calling this spot!" *marks his territory*
Those hand prints are Mayan. Very old, and in negative relief.
"Golly, this climb is treacherous!"
Justin became directionally disoriented!
Mmmm. Caves look yummy sometimes.
....trailing behind the tour group, we were the only ones that veered off to this room. It was like a blessing.
Can you spot the Mayan apparitions in this picture?
Those are surface-level tree roots on the left, reaching down for a drink.
The way out, over a kilometer away.
View from the way out.
Man, Mexico is frustrating. No matter how hard you try to have a bad day, it does something like this to foul it all up.
shhh. It's the cemetery angel that blessed us on our way to Lol Tun. Even five minutes later, and it would have been too late.
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