After a few more problems, like a broken down van, we spent one night last week at the Helen Moyers Biocultural Reserve at Kaxil Kiuic. Here's a student's tale of our journey and some photos from atop the tower at Kiuic:
On the morning of Wednesday December 30th, we left for Kiuic sporting a Mercedes Benz minivan. There was ample cargo space, lots of leg room, and an overall level of comfort unmatched by any other van I had previously experienced. We were riding in style to say the least. As nice as the van was, the ride was still very long and exhausting, but several stops along the way made it less arduous. It's worth noting that along the way, there were signs of poverty everywhere. We passed by several little shanty villages, homes made of nothing more than the surrounding environment, and children who were wandering around playing with anything they could get their hands on. It was definitely an eye opening experience and one that I won't soon be forgetting.
Our first stop was in Oxcutzcab where we were given about 45 minutes to explore the marketplace. Much like the first marketplace we visited, this one was teeming with vendors and customers. Vegetables, children's books, clothes, and even a slot machine here and there lined the walkways of the marketplace. We spent our time looking around, marveling at the selection, and soaking in the culture. A few more minutes and a bag of oranges later, we were ready for lunch.
The restaurant was apparently famous for a dish called Poc Chuc. Naturally, I was inclined to order the dish and am happy to say that I was not disappointed. A vast assortment of meat, resting on a bed of veggies and citrus was just the thing I needed after a day in the market. Bellies full and energy restored, we packed back into the luxury van and headed towards Kiuic.
Once we reached Kiuic, we quickly settled in and found our respective hammocks. The boys in one room and the girls in another right across. The downtime was much needed, but short lived. We quickly gathered back up and headed on a trail into the forest towards a tower. The tower seemed to be sturdy enough, but at a couple stories high, there were still some doubts. In order to put some worried minds at ease, we split up into two groups and went up one at a time. I'm happy to report that I was part of the first group, and was one of the first to experience the incredible view. You could see for miles in every direction. The sun was just starting to set, and the only noises that could be heard were those of the forest. Oh, that and the noise of a certain someone's water bottle crashing down to the ground below because a certain someone knocked it over while he/she was at the top of the tower. Anyway, the view was gorgeous, and the setting sun was icing on the cake.
After the tower shenanigans, we headed back to our rooms to relax for a bit before dinner. Although nothing that was said in the boy's room can ever be repeated in the presence of any kind of decent company, it's worth noting that stories were told, and good times were had. We ate dinner with the geology kids, talked about our day, and headed to bed. It was a good day to say the least.
http://www.millsaps.edu/yucatan/
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