Mexico here we come

My son got married to an American , and the wedding was to be held in the USA. This meant that many friends and relatives could not attend. It also meant we (husband, daughter, son in law, grandson) could not just “attend” the wedding and then leave. After spending nearly 85000 on the tickets we wanted to get our money’s worth. We were planning to stay for another two weeks afterwards.

It seemed  a bit hard on the newly weds to just “pile on” and stay with them, so we decided to go somewhere for a few days then return to Iowa and fly back to India.

“We will come too,” said my son. (His idea not ours). So, in typical desi fashion we  planned to go on a “family  honeymoon” . (I understand that many Indians actually do this, so it was not just us). We all decided on Mexico. The plus points were that there was no visa required and   and there was something for everyone to do.

A day after the wedding   we left for Mexico. All of us were tired and with seven people travelling it was a nightmare. . Then there was the problem of holding on to my grandson. He thinks he is training under Usain Bolt and the airport is a practice arena.

We left the bride and groom alone. We did not hover around interfering in their well deserved time of rest. Actually, they went scuba diving and after a couple of exciting dives , they were exhausted.

The rest of us  went on “tours”. Cancun, where we stayed, has only one industry, tourism. They are very organized and polite about it. We can learn a great deal from them.

·      The toilets are scrupulously clean and well maintained.

·      Their meat dishes, the grilled fish are out of this world.

·      Their tortillas are like chappatis

·      They accept dollars and pesos and give the correct change in whatever currency we ask for.

·      They politely but blatantly ask for tips, telling us to express as much gratitude as we wish to  “from our hearts”.

We were taken to a “sink hole” a cenote 250 feet deep. There were primitive steps from which you could leap off into the water. (Needless to say my grandson established a record. He leapt off 26 times and was loudly cheered when we re-entered the tour bus).

We saw the Chichen itza ruins in  the Mayan city.  They were a scholarly people with religion intertwined with studies. Their professors and religious leaders were the same. They had a fixation on human sacrifice. For prosperity, rain or health.  It was considered an honour to be decapitated and have your heart torn out and fed to the jaguars and eagles. (The priests seem to have convinced the population about this). Perhaps this is part of human psyche. Two thousand years later we have jehadis!

Physical fitness was a mantra with them. Every four months they had a sort of Olympics where the best teams from the villages and cities (chauvinistically men only) competed in a game rather like hockey. The ball had to be hit through a loop 12 feet high using the body and a primitive hockey stick. The game ended when a team scored 13 goals. Sometimes it went on at night as well. Then they used burning rubber balls. They held a demo and it was certainly a sight to see!

The down side? The loosing team was decapitated. Apparently they considered it an honour. The winning team was presented the heads of their adversaries!

They constructed  an observatory similar to the ones we have today. Small wonder that it is one of  the seven new wonders of the world. They studied astronomy. Using primitive equipment, the deduced the presence of all the planets except  earth and Pluto. That is because the stood on earth and Pluto has been recently kicked out of the solar system anyway! They watched the reflection of the son through large vats of water since the could not observe it directly.

It reminded me of the Jantar Mandar, the Stonehenge constructions and the Peruvian constructions of the Incas. There are several theories that these areas were populated by aliens who then all died out, intermarried with humans or returned to their original universe.  After seeing these constructions I am beginning to think there are aliens or at least hybrids among us.  It is difficult to imagine these engineering feats without some outside help! Their uniform fixation on astronomy may have something to do with attempts to return to their homes in the solar system.

Physically, Mayans are short and squat. The women have big breasts, hips, stomachs and thighs.

“Don’t worry about your figure” our Mayan guide said, “these skinny ladies very ugly. Must have some meat on body to be healthy. You correct size!”

One of their kings was tall, blonde and blue eyed. He arrived in a “boat”, (perhaps a alien craft) and after ruling them for some time, enigmatically announced “ I will return wait for me” and sailed away into the sunset. He never did come back!

There is a great deal to be learnt from the Mayans.

Their unfailing  politeness, , preservation of their natural resources, pride in their country and heritage and last of all their perception of “beautiful women.”.