Palenque

We car-pooled up to the ruins from the campground. We are starting to get used to all the vendors trying to sell you junk as you tour the ruins but it does get annoying.   

Palenque is one of the largest of Mayan sites. It is situated in jungle but unlike the other sites we have visited, there is lots of water, rivers and lakes, in this area. Only a small portion has been excavated. It is estimated that there are over 2400 pyramids still covered by jungle growth is Chiapas State alone. In 1997 National Geographic did a story on this area. I'll have to look it up in my collection when we get home. (you can check it out online too.) Pakal was the ruler best known in Palenque. He was crowned King at the age of 12 and ruled until his death at the age of 81. He had a large nose and club foot. Most of the buildings we saw were constructed under his reign.

The two largest pyramids are the Palace (Palacio) and the Temple of Inscriptions. The Palacio is a collection of buildings on top of an artificial platform and reached by massive steps. Some of the buildings were for housing King Pakal and his family and servants, but most were reserved for rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices. One sacrifice involves self mutilation with the spilling of blood which washed into the earth as a gift of fertility . Women pierced their tongue and men pierced their penis. The Palacio and the Temple showed many glyphs, pictures of Pakal and other rulers, and told the story of these rulers. The Temple of Inscriptions also housed the Tomb of Pakal.

We climbed the steps up to the top of the Temple of Inscriptions and the view was spectacular! Not only of the ruins but of the jungle itself.

On our way back to the campground we made a sudden stop at a restaurant and had a delightful meal with our friends Dick and Ann. We then lounged in the pool before getting ready for a Valentine Dinner with the caravan. We rounded out the evening whacking at a pinata.