MondayMorningMutiny.com

Well used to a lack of sleep or coherent routine by now, I arise early and walk the 3 kilometres to the ruins at Palenque down the jungle road.

Palenque was my favourite of the ruins, partly because of its’ jungle setting and size and partly because there were less people about, which I find detracts from the mystery of a place such as this.
It’s hard to get caught up in it all and lose yourself to imagination amongst the awe inspiring spectacles when troops of camera toting tourists (such as myself) spoil the view and break the spell of disbelief. So, I consider myself fortunate on this occasion that the space was just that – spacious – and I could marvel in deliberate daydream relatively uninterrupted.

It is estimated that only 5% of this once great Mayan stronghold is uncovered, with the remaining 95% still claimed by dense jungle. The 5% is reasonably big however – a testament to the greatness of the Mayan empire at its’ peak – and takes a good half day to appreciate and go round it all.

It was also absurdly hot there.

This is a developing theme that has featured on previous posts. However this was the peak. I moved around Palenque quickly, jogging to spots free from people, swiftly climbing to all the high points and steep steps to the strategic positions of the various structures and buildings.

I can honestly say that I have never perspired so much.
Every pore glistened, beaded, dripped and ran.
Any attempt to wipe dry seemed to make more sweat follow, faster than before – so that was quickly abandoned. In humidity which felt close to 100%, when your fingertips, palms and shins are sweating, there is little you can do, other than go with it, melt and not try to think too hard.
Later on, I joined up with a group I knew from El Panchen and we tried to estimate the water lost that day..
We didn’t come up with an answer, figuring it to be several litres at least and took comfort in the fact that we were all in the same boat..
A boat adrift on a river of sweat.
Several cool drinks later, under the shade of an avocado tree, the group split into two – half getting a bus back to the lodge and half deciding to walk back. I favoured the walk, during which the heavens opened, drenching us from head to toe within seconds, the sweat replaced by fresh water from the sky.
No silver lining for this cloud and none was wanted..
Rare is it to be so happy in such heavy rain!

CLICK HERE FOR THE PALENQUE RUINS PHOTO GALLERY!

As usual, click below for a few choice pics..

Stone carving of one of Palenque’s rulers

This entry was posted on January 26, 2008 at 9:02 am and is filed under Mexico, Photos. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.