Today we had an early start as we began our overnight journey to visit Uayma and Chichen Itza. The 3-hour car ride was filled with good naps, good books, and great snacks. 

The weather was amazing for visiting Chichen Itza. The overcast kept us cool all day long and the rain at the end of the trip was the cherry on top. It was super cool learning about the various Mayan ruins surrounding Chichen Itza. Our tour guide, Jiminez, taught us about his own culture and even some simple words in Maya. We learned about the different games that the Mayan played and the intricate symbols that fill the entire ruins site. We also learned fun facts such as Chichen Itza is said to have been red in color during its prime years. 

We left Chichen Itza and headed to the Santo Domingo community center in Tinum for lunch. The food and hospitality we were met with was amazing. We saw different plants and trees such as those that hold coconuts and vanilla. The coconut-vanilla ice cream and wafers for dessert was some of the best we’ve ever had. 

From Tinum we headed to Valladolid for some quick treats, shopping, and walking. We watched the sun set and ate some churros from the town center. We got to see some dances and really embraced all the culture around us. 

Lastly, we headed to Uayma to rest up and eat dinner. We had panuchos and met Father Felix. With the help of Jose and Azucena we set up our hammocks along the sides of the church. It was cool to sleep alongside everyone outside in night and spend some time bonding. 

By: Nishi Patel