Iximche Ruins

Today 8 of us toured the Iximche ruins. We saw a stadium where a ball game was played. The winner of the game was honorably sacrificed to the Mayan gods. Obsidian stone knives were used to cut the rib cage and the winner’s heart was ripped out by hand. Brad won our ball game and was sacrificed.

The largest of the ruins were homes of wealthy families. This one belonged to the T’zotzil family.

We also saw temples dedicated to the goddess of the sun and the goddess of the moon, as well as court houses where trials were held. There were some remains also of buildings where the wealthy Mayan families’ slaves were held.

Lastly, there were two Mayan religious ceremonies taking place that we were able to watch. Usually $150 of supplies are brought to be burned to celebrate the gods. A priest is there lighting fires of incense, sugar, candles, alcohol, chocolate and paper. It was very cool to be able to see the way Mayan people celebrate and honor their gods now. 

It’s beautiful here. There is an active volcano, Fuego that we can see out the window of our rooms and the kitchen. We are having a wonderful time so far.

XO, Becca Teske