Today we have decided to go to the ruins to learn a little about the Mayan culture. The ruins at Copan were built a couple thousand years ago and the process of unearthing them started a hundred or so years ago. They aren't as big as the Guatemalan ruins of Tikal, but they are fantastic as well and because of their size, are easier to navigate with 3 kids!
I am constantly worried that we aren't "teaching" the kids enough about the history and culture of all these countries we go to but it is tricky to strike the right balance so that they don't get bored and tune out. Ruins are the perfect balance of fun and history. The girls now know that the games played in the ball courts present in every Mayan ruin were not that great of a game. The game ended with a sacrifice of one of the players and the girls seemed fascinated with this fact. Copan has some really great carved stellae so that was interesting for everyone. Totem polls of the Mayans!
The most memorable for the girls, though were the macaws and the half rat half pig things running around (coatamundis I think). There are about 10 scarlet macaws that hang out at the entrance to the park so you get to see them right beside you sitting on the fence and flying around you on the way in. Very cool!!!
Tonight we are going to figure out our next move. So stay tuned!!
