Palenque. Imagine lush rainforest, the howl of a howler monkey and the calls of the toucan. Then add some of the most intricate Mayan ruins in the Mayan world.

In a word, beautiful.

After a long drive, we made it to the state of Chiapas and to Palenque. On the way, Miguel took us on a coastal road to a town where he spends holiday. It's a beautiful off-the-beaten-path coastal town. As we made it through the town square, Miguel brought the van to a hault, rolled down his window and started talking rapidly to an approaching woman. She came up and kissed him.

This was family, and, we must assume, this was Miguel's "real" Mexico -- a somewhat mythical, ambiguous reference he has promised us since we landed in Cancun.

As we approached Palenque, the rugged mountains approached. These aren't rugged like the Rockies -- barren and cold above the tree line. These were lush and jagged, 7,000 feet above sea level. This is coffee growing region. For those of you who know me, I am now in my own little slice of heaven.

But back to Palenque. This site has produced some of the most significant "finds" of Mayan history. A royal tomb, intricate and well-preserved glyphs, fantastic buildings. 

This is also a place where we discussed spiritual/New Age tourism. Palenque is significant because one of the leaders of the New Age fascination with the Mayan calendar, Jose Arguelles, believes he is now channeling Pakal  (the king of Palenque). Jose sort of began (or at least popularized) the Mayan calendar back in 1987 with the Harmonic Convergence. 

If you're wondering what all the hubbub is about with the calendar, here's a brief summary. We are nearing the end of the Mayan Long Count, the end of the 13th Baktun. This particular "count" is not "the end," but it is the end of an era that began 1.8 million days ago in 3114 B.C.E. For New Age believers, the stars, spirits, energies, etc. will align this December 21 (the winter solstice) to usher in the new age. Throw in a good dash of quantum physics, "ancient" mysticism, hallucinogens and you have the chief components of New Age spiritualism. This is, of course, a gross generalization, but this is a blog post, not a journal article. If you want more on this, let me know. I'll send more of it your way. 

Anyway, back in 1987, we entered into the final 25-year cycle, which comes to a close this December. This is a big deal for New Age believers. Many will be coming places like Palenque and other sacred spots around the globe to channel energy in an effort to align human consciousness with the universe.

We'll be watching a documentary, 2012: Science or Superstition. I am eager to see how the students process this system of beliefs, rituals and tourist practices.

Here's some photos of the day.

Hasta luego...