The Road to Chichen Itza

February 13, 2009

Izamal is a handsome little town east of Mérida. It's look and feel is of both Maya and colonial influence. Town pride finds nearly all buildings in the downtown area painted the same shade of yellow ochre, trimmed in white. A “new” look to the town comes from preparations for a papal visit in 1993. Town pride keeps Izamal in fine repair. City officials rejoice in the opportunity to help tourists feel comfortable. In surprisingly good English both the officer in charge of the park and the young police Chief himself assured us that we were parked safely and were welcome to leave our RV in the square as long as we'd like. They were full of suggestions on what we should do and see. Their love for the town and their enthusiasm to show it well were a joy.

A tour of the food market was a scene from a different world. Stalls the size of small table tops offer vegetables. Ladies in "cucinas economicas" prepare and sell meals ready to be taken home. Refrigeration isn't a problem - it just doesn't exist. Lunch in a little restaurant just off the day market was exotic and refreshing. Prices were about $3 each for amply portioned full meals.

The church turned out to be a monastery. There were in the halls class pictures of young men graduating to new steps into their monastic lives. As a bus-load of school children left the grounds the entire church, courtyard chapel and bookstore fell silent; deserted except for a single guard. The monastery was at siesta. The only motion was the invisible breeze through the stone church's hallways and patios.

As we wandered back to our rigs and started up a police truck with lights on fell in in front of us. The police chief walked back and asked us where we were going. We told him that our destination was Chichen Itza. The Chief gallantly mounted his pick-up and led us to the town's edge. He pulled over, waved us on to the highway and sent us off with a hearty wave and smile. We truly do feel welcome in Izamal.

Our day ended in the tiny town of Pisté where we parked next to a Maya home (vertical sticks, thatched roof.. and electricity) with turkeys, chickens, kids, dogs, salsa music, and a rather cranky pig on a leash.