#bcs the spanish court tradition was basically to be above it all and be a lofty unobtainable figure if that makes sense

[skitskatdacat63]

I don't know how I'd ever convey this in art but. Thinking very deeply about how in boy king au, a very crucial part of characterization is that Seb is a wolf in sheep(or lamb more specifically)'s clothing and Fernando is a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Seb is very unassuming, very delicate, seemingly very vulnerable and malleable. But, deep down, he can be very ruthless. It's in the the way he hesitantly declares war, with a spark in his eye and a suppressed smirk. In the way he challenges someone to a card game or a horse race, proclaiming that he's not great, but winning every round and prancing around the room and mentioning it ad infinitum. The way he's able to instantly turn the tide in a debate in one fell swoop. By showing all his cards constantly and letting himself be vulnerable, he's making himself invulnerable. No one would ever consider him to be able to make big moves, so he wins every single time, because no one even thinks to expect it from him.

Fernando on the other hand, is constantly committed to having a looming presence and harsh reputation, but deep down, he's soft. He knows what happens to people when they're vulnerable, and he's not going to let himself be taken advantage of. The way he keeps a brave face when being informed of the marriage proposal, but goes back to his room and cries. The way he proclaims that he was always going to be the rightful ruler of Spain, but confides to Flavio that he never thought there was any real chance of it ever happening. The way he takes himself so seriously in public, but inside feels so giddy whenever he can make someone laugh. Everything to him always feels unstable and ready to crumble at any moment, and he's not willing to contribute to that by letting himself relax.

I think thats why it's very difficult for them to get along at first, because they have completely different approaches to how they carry themselves and make their way through life. Seb is confused at Fernando because he feels that he's very bland and overly serious at first, but truthfully he's not really seeing the actual Fernando. And Fernando finds Seb to be naive and easily taken advantage of, but that's because he's never seen Seb at his most cruel. Seb really loves when he eventually gets to see Fernando being vulnerable, and Fernando really admires and respects Seb when he sees him being serious. I think it just takes a while for them to show the other their full and complete selves, even the parts they can sometimes be ashamed of. There's this very compelling dichotomy in Seb laying out all his cards, but still being very difficult to read, and Fernando keeping his cards to his chest, but his intentions often being easily seen through.

#meanwhile everyone else: what is this weird fucked up mating ritual they are participating in #though i think its very interesting how their motivations differ #seb wants to lull people into a false sense of security(and also really just likes to be his complete unadulterated self) #and fernando is guarding himself because he doesn't want to get hurt #and i think seb convinces Fernando that its okay to be openly soft and yourself :) not eveyrone is out to get you #and fernando teaches seb hey maybe dont invite this obvious assassin to your chambers????? #i think seb also has insecurites but Fernando's are just more easy to explain bcs hes in a much more difficult situation #at the end of the day both of them are putting on facades in some way #(i think seb likes to be himself but also does feel really hurt when people dont think he has the capacity or ability to rule effectively) #(he likes to be kind and playful and doesnt want to obscure that part of himself. but hes aware it can hurt his image unfortunately) #also lol the way i characterize fernando is very historically accurate btw #bcs the spanish court tradition was basically to be above it all and be a lofty unobtainable figure if that makes sense #yknow having just this insane level of confidence and infallible image of yourself as the ruler #the guy seb is based on really bought into that idea but i dont think it really suits seb so yeah #seb I think is very much a unique figure that others have a lot of trouble reading him and his intentions. which is great! #AAAAAHHH MAN FELT REALLY GOOD TO WRITE ALL THAT OUT !!!!!!!!! #i love writing their characterization so fucking much you dont understand #its nice to put it in words like this bcs yknow i dont rly enjoy actual writing. but this i enjoy greatly #hope this is compelling to more than just me hahaha #boy king au #catie.rambling.txt #vettonso

[straight-outta-hobbiton]

A Few Notes About American Legal Documents (Specifically For Proving Citizenship/Legal Residency and Traveling)

I work with a lot of legal documents associated with citizenship and legal residency. With the rise of legal residents and citizens unlucky enough to actually look like their ethnicity, I thought it might help to give a basic rundown of legal documents that could help in a sticky situation. It’s mostly simple stuff, but there might be something of value to your personal situation or the situation of someone you know, so, y’know.

VALID BIRTH CERTIFICATES:

Your birth certificate needs a raised seal on it, with as little damage as possible. I see a lot of folded/fucked up BCs from people in less than ideal living situations, and I understand that there are times when the only thing you can do to protect yourself is keep your shit with you all the time (abusive/controlling parents, foster care, intermittent homelessness, etc), but if the print is illegible, the seal torn or damaged, or the BC is in pieces, YOU NEED TO GET A NEW ONE. Most state ID places won’t accept it if there’s too much damage— it fucks with the security features, and most government worker grunts aren’t going to chance their jobs on faith in your puppy dog eyes.

If you need a new BC and you don’t have a way to get to the county clerk’s office (you need to go to the county you were born in, which is a hassle for some people)— vitalchek.com is a website where you can securely order your documents and have them delivered to whatever address you feel is best. It takes a little while sometimes, though, so it isn’t a perfect solution to more immediate issues.

If possible, see if you can get yourself a wallet-sized BC. I typically see older folk carrying them, but I’m pretty sure some states still offer the option. I highly recommend this for anyone who might be targeted by the current administration— again, it doesn’t solve every problem, but for right now, all American-born Latine and other non-whites can only benefit from having as much paperwork as they can. At the very least, it might slow some officers down.

IF YOU HAVE A PUERTO RICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE, MAKE SURE IT’S THE MOST RECENTLY UPDATED VERSION. Plain PR birth certificates have been stolen from legal agencies on multiple occasions in the past to be used in the forgery of false documents for other Latin immigrants of a less-than savory nature, and it happened again in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The only BC most government agencies accept at this point have English translations next to the Spanish, and they won’t take anything older/untranslated.

PASSPORTS/PASSPORT CARDS/GLOBAL ENTRY CARDS/NEXUS CARDS:

Google the nearest place you can go to get your passport. I went to a post office and they took my picture, but not every place offers the option— you might have to go to Walgreens or some equivalent first to get your picture taken and bring it with you to the office. 

They’ll need your birth certificate when you go get your passport. They will take it from you and ship it out to whatever undisclosed location it needs to go to in order for them to print your paperwork. You’ll get it when your passport is sent to you.

It costs around $145 dollars including service fees to get your American passport, which is an unfortunate reality.

Passports take up to eight weeks to get to your house, so it isn’t a solution to immediate problems. That being said, GET IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Passport cards exist, and they’re pocket-sized. If you’re eligible to get one (meaning you were born here or were naturalized), DO IT. GET A PASSPORT CARD AND KEEP IT WITH YOU. It’s just as good as a regular passport and far easier to keep with you if the worst happens and you need to get out. They’re also a cheaper than the average passport at a total of $65 (including service fees).

Passports/passport cards work as federal ID as well as international. In some states, children under a certain age might be unable to get state identification (in my state you have to be at least fourteen). If you have American-born/naturalized children that could be targeted and they’re under a certain age, get them their passports, get them their cards. Our government has proven they have no issue with snatching kids, but it’s a little harder to justify when the kid has legal US identification.

Global Entry Cards are accepted at every land and sea port in the US. They’re available to US citizens, legal US residents, and Mexican nationals, as well as citizens of Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Panama, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the UK. This I would recommend for people who already have passports/other legal documentation within the realms of the above listed countries but are uncomfortable with the idea of carrying a passport with them. It costs about $100.

Global Entry fingerprints you, no exceptions.

Global Entry does not help you enter countries not listed above.

Nexus Cards are the Canadian equivalent of Global Entry. It allows passage between Canada and America at any land crossing as well as airports. If you have one of these already and they’ve already fingerprinted you, you can get a GEC with minimal hassle, with the added bonus of being able to cross the Canadian border freely.

Nexus Cards require interviews, and once you’ve been approved they take your fingerprints and a retinal scan. Considering we’re living in the beginnings of a Big Brother dystopia, this might make some people uncomfortable, but again, it’s a cheap option for people who might not want to carry passports. Plus, it has the added benefit of being attached to Canada, and the potential disaster of arresting a possible legal Canadian resident might be enough to stall some of the more reasonable officers. It costs about $50.

LEGAL RESIDENTS AND VISA CARRIERS, GENERAL THINGS:

If you’ve gotten your Permanent Resident card you need to make sure you get a new social security card, one without the ‘NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT’ or ‘VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION’ on the front. These cards aren’t valid to use alongside your new green card, and they can get you into trouble if the person checking your paperwork is in the wrong sort of mood.

MAKE SURE ALL YOUR PAPERWORK MATCHES. I realize that American paperwork sometimes can’t handle non-white naming traditions and that makes it difficult for you to keep your shit together. Ideally, though, whatever it says on your immigration papers should be exactly what’s printed on all your other documents— your credit cards, mail, whatever. If your naturalization paperwork lists both your mother and father’s names, you need to either make sure you have that shit on everything and if it isn’t, you’ve got a decision to make. Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but they will use any excuse to detain a ‘suspicious’ person, and dropping your second middle name on your driver’s license so it doesn’t match your visa is exactly the sort of thing they’ll pick at. My grandparents had to make this decision a few years ago— for convenience’s sake, they changed everything to match the anglicized forms of their names. I realize for a lot of people it isn’t an ideal solution, but for now, we’ve got to work with what we’ve got.

If you’re here as a Dependent Spouse (H-4) I don’t have to tell you that you’ll need your partner with you to do a lot of legal stuff. That being said, when you need to get stuff handled, please make sure your spouse has ALL of their paperwork proving they’re here legally. Even if the focus is on you, if their shit’s not in order, you won’t be able to get anything done. It is an inconvenient facet of the nature of your visa, but you’ve got to work with it until you can change your status to something less limited.

If you’re here on a Student Visa, the SAVE won’t update your status until your classes start. Keep that in mind when handling paperwork reliant on your status as a legal immigrant.

If your Permanent Resident Card has no expiration date on it, if it’s a laminated paper card, or if it’s just plain damaged— REPLACE IT. They don’t accept the old cards now thanks to a huge boom in forgeries, so particularly if you have an older relative who hasn’t been naturalized, you need to make sure that shit is up to date.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES:

(Marriage certificates are less important in the grand scheme of legal residency, but any little bit helps, and if you’re an immigrant married to a citizen, it’s another little piece that proves you just might have a legitimate reason or two to be here.)

Nobody is going to take the pretty version of the MC. The one you get from your place of worship is NOT the official certificate. It needs to be from the probate//surrogate’s/orphan’s court, not just signed in accordance with the official document.

It MUST have a seal on it. Not every state does the raised seal, so you have to double-check with your local, but it will have something that makes it a recognizable, official document.

If you got married in a country that doesn’t have English as the official language, you NEED a translation. In my state, you have to go to an official state translator and get— you guessed it— an official seal.

When you get married, that receipt slip they give you is not the official certificate. The official certificate is supposed to be mailed to you (the first one’s usually complimentary) after about a month. If you didn’t get it or you lost it, GO AND GET A NEW ONE. Little things like that can make or break you in the eyes of a government official.

If you have older relatives who are immigrants, CHECK TO MAKE SURE THEIR PAPERWORK IS UP TO DATE. I know it’s common for older folk to let their IDs expire because they’re in in a care facility or simply unable to leave their homes. I know that shit gets lost in the shuffle of life and most of the time those documents just sit in a box and do nothing, but this shit is important. Make sure they have their stuff and make sure their documents are all up to federal standard— relatively undamaged, legible, and with the right seals.

I know this isn’t stuff we want to talk about, but it’s important. If you are a person of one of the groups targeted by this administration, you cannot make mistakes. You have to make sure there is no reason besides gross incompetence on the part of the ICE officers for them to detain you— as we all know, they will take advantage of any excuse they can find to fuck you and the people you love over.

Don’t let them.

#immigration #legal documents #ICE #detention centers #preparing for the worst

[marymperezga]

Top 15 Mayan Ruins & Archeological Sites You Should Visit In Mexico

The Best Mayan Sites in Mexico!

Mexico Culture

One of my favorite parts about traveling in Mexico are all the interesting ancient Mayan ruins to explore. Here are the best Mayan archeological sites that you don’t want to miss!

Maya is a lifestyle; a community of settled people who have inhabited areas of Mexico and Central America since around 1800 BC.

Many people assume the Maya were wiped out — which is not the case.

The Maya community today totals around 7 million people who live by the traditions and are still native speakers of the Mayan language – rather than Spanish which now dominates the countries in which they reside.

However Mexico is littered with crumbling Mayan cities built by their late ancestors, pyramids of stone abandoned for various reasons and left to be overtaken by the jungle.

Many Mayan ruins have been excavated and opened to the public — but some, in particular, stand out.

After living in traveling through Mexico for the past 2 years, I wanted to share some of my favorite Mayan ruins & archeological sites in Mexico.

Learn a little bit about the history of these incredible ancient pyramids and historic sites before you explore them on your next trip to Mexico!

Mayan Ruins Mexico Map

How To Use This Map

Above you’ll find a map of the best Mayan Ruins in Mexico. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of places I mention in this travel guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. Enjoy!

A Short History Of The Maya

Agricultural people by nature, the Mayan civilization harvested crops such as maize and beans, clearing jungles for farming as they developed more sophisticated techniques to expand their production.

Spiritually, the Maya worship more than 150 Gods who they believe their Kings are related to; with one God ruling over every subject associated with their lives, for example, the God of Rain, the God of Agriculture, and the God of Death.

Though it may seem complicated to us, this extensive list of deities actually resulted in huge advances in math and astronomy plus the development of the famous Mayan Calendar.

Although the original Maya Empire was destroyed many centuries ago, the Maya people still exist today.

The modern-day Maya hide in plain sight, so to speak, living in Mexico while keeping much of their own traditions and culture from the past.

Best Mayan Archeological Sites In Mexico

History lesson over, it’s time to dive into the multitude of ancient Mayan ruins – and there are quite a few, with around 200 different sites in Mexico alone! Over 4000 spread around Central America.

Work is still ongoing to uncover some of these, as archaeologists are actively engaged in extracting and understanding the secrets of ancient Maya, buried beneath a combination of thick jungle and time.

I’m going to help cut down this number for you, and share what I think are the 15 best Mayan archeological sites in Mexico. Let’s go!

1. Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

The Famous Ruins of Chichen Itza

One of the greatest Maya cities in Mexico was Chichen Itza – a sacred city which covers around six square miles and was once home to hundreds of buildings which were built in both the classic Maya period and the later Maya-Toltec period.

Chichen Itza is probably the most visited Mayan ruins in Mexico, since being named one of the New Wonders of the World. The highlight is Kukulkan Pyramid which stands at 75 feet tall and built for astronomical/sacrificial purposes.

Perhaps one of its biggest draws for tourists is the twice-annual equinox when the setting sun creates shadows on the pyramid steps that resemble the body of a serpent.

Chichen Itza can get crowded with tour buses, but if you pick up a sunrise skip-the-line ticket, you can basically have it to yourself for a while. ➜ BOOK IT HERE

➜ Read My Free Guide To Chichen Itza

2. Coastal Ruins Of Tulum

El Castillo Pyramid in Tulum

Just a few hours away from Chichen Itza is the iconic walled city of Tulum perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Tulum’s ruins feature a beautiful Caribbean beach (that you can swim at!), with incredible views all around.

Tulum was a major trading and religious center for the Maya between the 11th and 16th centuries. They traded turquoise, jade, cotton, food, copper bells, axes, and chocolate.

Because of Tulum’s prime location along the touristic Riviera Maya coast, it gets a lot of visitors. The site isn’t that big either, so it can get super crowded mid-day.

My favorite part of the Tulum ruins is the Temple of the Frescoes, where you can still see painted murals inside!

➜ Read My Free Guide To Tulum’s Ruins

3. Maya Ruins Of Coba

Climbing the Pyramid at Coba

Just 40km west of Tulum you’ll reach Coba — one of my favorite Maya ruins in Mexico. Covering 80 square miles and featuring 5 large lakes, Coba is a less popular destination with a real air of mystery about it.

Though archaeologists believe it may one day be one of the largest Mayan excavations, right now it remains mostly untouched so visitors can engage their imagination to dream up the story behind the many mounds and pyramids.

To really appreciate the natural spectacle that is Coba, visitors can still climb 120 steep stone steps to the top of Nohoch Mul – the tallest pyramid in the peninsula – and gaze out over the jungle-covered ruins.

➜ Read My Free Guide To Visiting Coba

4. Palenque

Majestic Palenque Ruins

The Mayan ruins of Palenque are steeped in historical significance, and today stand as part of a UNESCO Heritage site surrounded by great trees and wildlife.

One of its highlights is the Temple of Inscriptions, which was built by King Pakal’s first son and provides records of over 180 years of the city’s history.

As well as its historical information, the temple is also home to King Pakal’s tomb, with humidity in the burial chamber so intense that the walls drip with water and individuals can only enter with special authorization.

5. Calakmul Mayan Ruins

Calakmul Ruins in Campeche

The Mayan ruins of Calakmul house two very large pyramids and an extensive system of reservoirs that once provided water to 50,000 Mayans.

Located far away from most tourist attractions in the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, a massive protected jungle near the border of Guatemala with wildlife like howler monkeys and jaguars.

Visitors can still climb to the top of these structures and take in the surrounding tropical forests, the expanse of the central plaza and the multiple palaces that lie around it.

Of all the Mayan sites in Mexico, this one is my personal favorite. You can get lost for a full day exploring the site, and due to its remote location, there aren’t many visitors.

➜ Read My Tips For Visiting Calakmul

6. Monte Alban

Massive Site of Monte Alban

Monte Alban was one of Mexico’s first pre-Colombian cities, after being founded around 500 BC and supported primarily by agriculture through centuries of development and changing populations.

The city is located in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, spanning a great many cultures as it remained inhabited for 13 centuries. It’s also a UNESCO world heritage site due to its historical influence.

Monte Alban is a popular destination for tourists as much of the city is still intact; including temples, tombs, palaces, an astronomical observatory, and even a historical ball court which would have hosted games of Ollama (similar to football).

7. Teotihuacan

Beautiful Ruins of Teotihuacan

The impressive ruins of Teotihuacan outside Mexico City is another mix of culture, with the initial founders still unknown despite features from a variety of cultures apparent in its design.

Items and artifacts found within the city ruins suggest that it was once home to some of the more elite individuals of Maya and other cultures, making for an interesting historical analysis into the city.

Teotihuacan’s main attraction is the Pyramid of the Moon, which hides a plethora of secrets that are slowly being revealed as archaeological digs continue – years ago researchers discovered the bodies of animals and humans that had been treated to awful brutality in what is assumed to be a ritualistic sacrifice to the Gods.

Visiting the city today, you can explore the Citadel (large open plaza surrounded by temples), the Avenue of the Dead (the main road across the city that aligns with the setting sun once a year) and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon – some of Mexico’s largest structures.

8. Ek Balam

Ek Balam Archeological Site

Another favorite set of ruins in the Yucatan, near Valladolid, is Ek Balam, meaning Black Jaguar in the Maya language.

You can spend the day exploring and climbing around the site before enjoying a dip in the beautiful X’Canche – a cenote sinkhole full of fresh crystal-blue water.

Ek Balam is also the location of King Ukit Kan Lek Tok’s tomb, which lies within the largest pyramid – standing alongside 45 other ancient structures.

Some of the main highlights are the walls surrounding the site, the views from atop of the highest pyramids and buildings, and the incredible works of art and calligraphy plastered on the walls of some of the remaining buildings.

➜ Read My Tips For Visiting Ek Balam

9. Uxmal Ruins

The Mayan Site of Uxmal

Uxmal is a set of Mayan ruins located near the Mexican city of Merida, on the West side of the Yucatan Peninsula.

In ancient times, Mayan high priests would perform ceremonies (including sacrifices) atop the religious structures in Uxmal – many hundreds of steps above the ground.

According to Mayan legend, Uxmal’s rounded Pyramid Of the Magician was magically built overnight during a series of challenges issued to a dwarf by the king of Uxmal.

Maya priests doubled as astrologers, and Uxmal was built and designed using astronomy to track the cycles of the moon and the stars. It was also used as a sign of power, as they used their superior knowledge to coincide religious ceremonies with natural phenomena such as the eclipse.

Gazing out over the ruins today, you really do get a sense of the detailed design and work that went into creating this great religious city.

➜ Read My Tips For Visiting Uxmal

10. Edzna

Edzna translates in Mayan to “House of the Itzas”, which has led many to believe that this particular city was the initial home of the Itza family – before they moved on to found the iconic Chichen Izta.

Edzna is somewhat of a mystery in many ways, and this contributes to why it is such a great stop on any road trip through Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Though Edzna was a major city at one point in Mayan history (around 200A), in 1450 it was fully abandoned – with no obvious reason why. Edzna was then “rediscovered” in 1907, and today plays host to a daily Evening Light Show which lights up the city ruins.

When visiting Edzna, make sure to visit the Gran Acropolis, the Temple of the Masks – which showcases two masks, one honoring the Sunrise God and one the Sunset God – and the imposing Palace that faces the Gran Acropolis and is a residential building that runs from the North to the South.

11. El Rey

One of the smaller communities frequented by the Mayans is El Rey – which is actually located in the heart of Cancun. Visiting these ruins can take less than an hour if you’re short on time.

El Rey is considered a temple complex and, when compared to some of the other city ruins, is fairly unspectacular. There are none of the tall pyramids we come to expect with Maya communities, and the architecture is simple and low key.

However, what El Rey does provide is a sense of real history, as you walk amongst the structures and learn how it connected to come of the other Mayan cities nearby – both for trade and for worship pilgrimage.

El Rey is a nice one to visit if you are after some undisturbed exploring, and the nearby Museo Maya will fill the gaps for you in terms of the history and culture of the Mayan communities.

12. Chacchoben

Next up are the ruins of Chacchoben near Mahahual – one of the most popular sites of the Mayan era. Unlike many of its smaller counterparts, Chacchoben has only a portion of the site open to the public.

Many of the original temples are still standing in their ancient condition, awaiting restoration. The city was home to the largest community in its region by 360 AD, and was considered by the Mayans as the center of their ceremonious activity.

The Gran Basamento was the Maya’s most important ritual plaza. Surrounding the ruins is a deep jungle which is now home to a huge variety of plants and creatures, including jaguar, puma and tapir – if you’re lucky – making for an exciting day out!

Another thing to look out for is the traces of red around the base of the temples and structures – proof that these buildings were once coated completely in red paint – though the unrelenting sun is gradually causing further degradation to this as time goes on.

13. Templo Mayor

Continuing our exploration into the major cities of the Mayan era, we now reach the Templo Mayor – Spanish for “The Greater Temple” which was once considered the center of the Maya universe.

Templo Mayor is located in present-day Mexico City, considered part of Tenochtitlan and historically dedicated to both the God of War and the God of Rain and Agriculture.

The ruins stand next to an expansive cathedral, and it is said that stones from the temple were used in the construction of the cathedral; linking Mexico City’s levels of history.

Templo Mayor itself was once the scene of both coronations and human sacrifices – with the blood of the sacrifices supposedly feeding the two Gods to whom the temple was dedicated.

14. Izamal

The Pyramid at Izamal

Izamal was an important Mayan pilgrimage site containing one of the heaviest pyramid structures in all of Mesoamerica. It had its own glory days early on, before Chichen Itza took over around 900 AD.

Eventually invaded by the Spanish, Izamal remained a place of importance to the Mayans and the Spanish built a large religious complex which is still a pilgrimage site even today for Mexican Catholics.

In 1993 the site was even visited by Pope John Paul II! There are some interesting annual festivals here which fall in April, May, August and December.

If you pay Izamal a visit, make sure you keep your ears open, as the Maya language is still very much the chosen mother tongue in and around the “yellow town”.

15. El Meco

Cool Ruins Outside Cancun

El Meco is a set of smaller ancient Maya ruins that aren’t well known located just North of Downtown Cancun. There’s even a 41-foot high pyramid!

These ruins were probably related to Isla Mujeres and an important port for the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula.

To find them, head up Avenida Lopez Portillo (aka the Cancun-Puerto Juarez road) in a rental car, taxi, or collectivo bus. The site is located at KM 27. The ruins are just off the road on the left.

Other Important Mayan Sites

While much of the historic Maya empire was based in present-day Mexico, you can still find many ancient Mayan cities in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize too.

If you plan to continue your travels to these parts of Central America, I also recommend you stop by sites like:

Tikal – Guatemala

Tikal is one of the largest Mayan settlements in the Americas, located in Guatemala’s Peten basin and Tikal National Park. It was probably called Yax Mutal when it was a thriving city.

The Great Plaza is particularly impressive, flanked on the east and west sides by two great temple-pyramids.

Caracol – Belize

The Mayan site of Caracol in Belize was built around 330 AD, becoming one of the most important political centers of the Maya lowlands through 600-800 AD.

Copan – Honduras

The Copan Ruins feature large open plazas, as well as many altars and monoliths. It is also home to the world’s biggest archeological cut, revealing many layers of the floor beneath the Great Plaza.

It’s also home to the Hieroglyphic Stairway Plaza, with the longest known Mayan inscription (made up from over 1800 glyphs).

Mysteries Of The Maya

So there you have it – a snapshot of Mayan history, told through fifteen different ancient archeological sites.

In spite of the attempted modernization of the world around them, Maya communities have largely succeeded in preserving their identity and traditions; making them somewhat of an attraction for the many tourists who flock to their neighborhoods – both past and present.

Visiting Mexico without seeing at least a few of these historic archeological sites would be a shame, so make sure to pick a few and experience some history and culture on your next trip to Mexico!

Travel Planning Resources For Ek Balam

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to find deals. Also read my tips for how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking cheap hotels.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Yucatan Suggested Reading: The Maya: Ancient Peoples & Places

Enjoy This Post? Pin It!

READ MORE MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best Mayan ruins in Mexico! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

Ready to party in Mexico? Here are my top things to do Cancun.

Road tripping the Riviera Maya? Read my favorite things to do in the Yucatan.

Save money on your vacation with my ultimate guide to budget travel in Mexico.

Stay safe out there with these great travel safety tips everyone should know.

Take better travel photos with my useful guide to the best travel cameras for any budget.

Have any questions about visiting Mayan Ruins in Mexico? Are you planning a trip? Drop me a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://expertvagabond.com/mayan-ruins-mexico/

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The Greatest Guide To face mask

Using vinegar to be a pores and skin toner dates again to enough time of Helen of Troy, and it’s just as effective today. After you wash your face, mix one tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups drinking water like a finishing rinse to cleanse and tighten the skin. Amazon India provides collectively some of the ideal pores and skin treatment merchandise on the market which have been gathered from throughout numerous countrywide and Global brands. The variety in the sort of remedies and masks offered is gigantic and is certain to fulfill the requirements of each shopper. For those seeking for a complete pores and skin treatment method, we offer consolidated packs that comprise of numerous important components created to assist your skin. The VLCC Gold Facial Kit is a fantastic example of a package that assists you realize a The natural way glowing skin using a gold scrub, gold peel-off mask, gold gel and gold product. The scrub allows eliminate impurities out of your skin, the peel-off mask absorbs the impurities, the gel unclogs your skin’s pores as well as the product provides an invigorating scent coupled with refreshing your skin. [25] Biologist Jeremy Griffith has prompt that ritual masks, as representations with the human face, are very revealing of The 2 fundamental aspects of the human psychological situation: To begin with, the repression of the cooperative, instinctive self or soul; and secondly, the incredibly angry point out on the unjustly condemned aware considering egocentric intellect.[26] Africa Often a witness for the prosecution appears in court inside of a mask to prevent staying regarded by associates of the accused. Other Specifics:Mini-fiber superior electrostatic filter, filtration performance of dust & powder is over ninety five%.Repel continuously contamination of unsafe blood and saliva frequently. Some 2500 many years in the past, kings and commoners alike had been entertained by dance and mime accompanied by songs where the dancers normally wore masks, a vestige of the earlier period when such dances ended up enacted as religious rites. In line with George Goyan, this apply evoked that of Roman funeral rites where by masked actor-dancers represented the deceased with motions and gestures mimicking These in the deceased although singing the praise of his lifestyle (see Masks in Functionality higher than).[39] Europe Why expend revenue with a keep-acquired hair mask or rinse when you can make your very own hair recipes making use of components present in your kitchen (or your yard). These do-it-your self recipes to the hair are perfect for various hair textures and kinds. Masks are an important part of several theatre sorts through earth cultures, as well as their use in theatre has frequently created from, or proceeds to be part of aged, extremely complex, stylized theatrical traditions. Up to date theatre Thoroughly coat your face With all the combination, Allow dry completely, then rinse with heat water. Your face will experience new and rejuvenated. Determine the very best DIY face masks For each and every kind of pores and skin concern. With A method exhalation vent valve for respiration convenience Adjustable elastic head bands Stitched outside the house filter area to prevent leakage Head into a posh spa and you'll address yourself (for a mere $100-$300) to an all-about overall body scrub. Or you can expend nearly $50 on a elaborate system scrub. Why acquire when you can also make a do-it-yourself human body scrub away from essential components yourself? All you'll need is salt or sugar, human body oil and a nice, heat bathtub. In many cultural traditions, the masked performer can be a central idea and is very valued. While in the western custom, actors in Historical Greek theatre wore masks, because they do in classic Japanese Noh drama. In a few Greek masks, the extensive and open up mouth of your mask contained a brass megaphone enabling the voice of the wearer to generally be projected into the big auditoria. In medieval Europe, masks were Employed in thriller and wonder plays to portray allegorical creatures, as well as the performer representing God routinely wore a gold or gilt mask. A different tradition that has a pretty prosperous agricultural tradition may be the Bamana people of Mali. read more (known as Chiwara) is thought to get taught person the secrets of agriculture. It is usually approved the masks, sound, colour and clamour are supposed to push away the forces of darkness and Wintertime, and open just how for your spirits of light and the coming of spring.[forty one]

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Only men don the masks and carry out the dances with large stilts despite the masks representing Women of all ages. Probably the most beautiful representations of feminine natural beauty is definitely the Idia's Mask of Benin in present-working day Edo State of Nigeria. It really is thought to happen to be commissioned by a king of Benin in memory of his mother. To honor his useless mother, the king wore the mask on his hip during Unique ceremonies.[29] Their 3 main cults use seventy-eight differing kinds of masks. A lot of the ceremonies of your Dogon society are mystery, Even though the antelope dance is demonstrated to non-Dogons. The antelope masks are tough rectangular boxes with many horns coming out of the very best. The Dogons are professional agriculturists as well as antelope symbolizes a hard Operating farmer.[28] Attractive masks can be worn as Section of a costume outside of ritual or ceremonial functions. This is frequently called a masque, and relates closely to carnival types. As an example, attendants of a costume get together will sometimes wear masks as portion of their costumes. Many of the masks and people used in European festivals belong to your contrasting types on the 'superior', or 'idealised beauty', established towards the 'ugly' or 'beastly' and grotesque. Hurling helmets ended up manufactured mandatory in 2010, and possess a wire mask about the front to shield the player's face. Head to your posh spa and you may deal with you (for your mere $100-$300) to an all-above entire body scrub. Or it is possible to devote approximately $50 on a fancy overall body scrub. Why get when you can make a handmade entire body scrub away from basic elements by yourself? All you will need is salt or sugar, human body oil and a nice, warm bath. [3] A person German creator promises the phrase "mask" is originally derived through the Spanish más que la cara (basically, "a lot more than the face" or "included face"), which evolved to "máscara", although the Arabic "maskharat" - referring for the buffoonery which is feasible only by disguising the face - could be depending on these Spanish roots.[4] Other relevant sorts are Hebrew masecha= "mask"; Arabic maskhara مَسْخَرَ = "he ridiculed, he mocked", masakha مَسَخَ = "he transfomed" (transitive). Record Pat your face with gentle yellow mustard for the bracing facial that may soothe and promote the skin. Test it on a small exam place first to make certain it gained’t irritate. Lemon facial masks Although some handmade face masks and scrubs operate very best on oily, dry or sensitive pores and skin, I've pulled together a listing of 9 wonderful masks and 8 scrubs that Focus on all pores and skin styles. These recipes are ideal for functions and for teams given that they work on all types of pores and skin. These masks are manufactured using the newest know-how and device making sure that these are generally of quality top quality. The mask which we offer is possessing excellent respiratory care. For read more (and delicious!) https://www1.usgs.gov/csas/nvcs/nvcsGetUnitDetails?elementGlobalId=836605 , mash up A few ripe strawberries with 3 tablespoons of floor almonds. Increase 2 tablespoons of yogurt and mix right until the combination includes a pasty texture. This stone mask within the pre-ceramic neolithic interval dates to 7000 BC and might be the oldest mask in the world (Musée "Bible et Terre Sainte") [42] You can find evidence of 'commedia dell'arte' motivated Venetian masks and from the late sixteenth century the Venetian Carnival commenced to succeed in its peak and sooner or later lasted a complete 'period' from January right until Lent. From the 18th century, it absolutely was already a tourist attraction, Goethe indicating that he was unattractive enough not to wish a mask. The carnival was repressed throughout the Napoleonic Republic, Despite the fact that from the nineteen eighties its costumes plus the masks aping the C 18th heyday were being revived.[forty three] It seems other towns in central Europe had been motivated from the Venetian product. Rites of passage, such as initiation of young family members, or funerals, were being completed with the shrine underneath the view on the ancestral masks. At funerals, Skilled actors would dress in these masks to accomplish deeds of the life of your ancestors,[24] Therefore linking the position of mask being a ritual object As well as in theatre.

The Greatest Guide To face mask

Owing for the rich working experience and knowledge in this domain, we have been equipped to supply optimum top quality Face Mask to our prestigious buyers. Masks are use by penitents in ceremonies to disguise their identity so that you can make the act of penitence much more selfless. The Semana Santa parades through Spain As well as in Hispanic or Catholic international locations through the entire globe are samples of this, with their cone-formed masks called capirote. n95 face mask priceface masks priceface mask in the vicinity of me priceface mask sheet priceface mask with eye defend pricenon woven face mask priceface mask in delhi priceface mask 3 ply pricele equipment pro as well as face mask price [31] In Papua New Guinea, six metre-significant totem masks are positioned to guard the living from spirits; While the duk-duk and tubuan masks of New Guinea are accustomed to implement social codes by intimidation. They are conical masks, constructed from cane and leaves.[32] North The united states All through the world, masks are used for their expressive energy like a element of masked general performance - both equally ritually and in many theatre traditions. The ritual and theatrical definitions of mask utilization routinely overlap and merge but nonetheless provide a handy foundation for categorisation. Leave the mixture on your face for at least 5 minutes right before rinsing it off. You can also attempt these straightforward Do-it-yourself face masks that might help unclog your pores. The contrast with overall performance masks just isn't normally apparent-Lower. Ritual and theatrical masks on their own could be regarded as realistic, and protective masks in a very athletics context particularly are often designed to enhance the appearance from the wearer. Clinical All through ceremonies, these visages are presented Lively variety in The nice mask dramas of your South and South-eastern Asian area.[37] Indonesia Masks Engage in a important aspect inside entire world theatre traditions, especially non-western theatre types. Additionally they continue to generally be an important force in modern theatre, as well as their usage normally takes various types. I'm on an natural and organic kick right this moment and I favor not To place anything on my skin that I couldn't, well, eat. This means I'm moisturizing much more with oils (Believe sweet almond and coconut), I am scrubbing my skin and lips with brown sugar and coconut oil, I am steaming my face over my teapot and I'm getting baths in milk and salts. Distinctive kinds of masks started to arise in pre-Hispanic The united states about 1200BC, although There may be evidence of much older mask forms. honey scrub with delicate yellow mustard for a bracing facial that could soothe and encourage the skin. Try out it on a little check area very first to be certain it gained’t irritate. Lemon facial masks Although some handmade face masks and scrubs perform ideal on oily, dry or sensitive pores and skin, I have pulled alongside one another a list of nine remarkable masks and eight scrubs that Focus on all skin styles. These recipes are ideal for functions and for teams simply because they Focus on every type of skin. Their a few most important cults use seventy-eight differing kinds of masks. A lot of the ceremonies with the Dogon culture are secret, although the antelope dance is revealed to non-Dogons. The antelope masks are rough rectangular containers with several horns coming out of the best. The Dogons are professional agriculturists as well as the antelope symbolizes a tough Doing the job farmer.[28]