59 Comments
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Brian Overcast's avatar

Fascinating!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

The miracles of nature.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack Zara!

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Ana Flores's avatar

I miss these cenotes!!!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for restack, Mary! Part 2–March 21.

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<Mary L. Tabor>'s avatar

Gorgeous photo!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Wish I could take credit!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for the restack Daniel!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

Such an interesting history. I've always wanted to swim in a cenote. The Sacred Cenote sounds majestic. Thanks for sharing, Jeanine!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Sure Daniel! I’m sure you do it some day!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

Vamos a ver! Yes, one day hopefully. You inspired me!

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Paul Caloca - EssentialRiskMgt's avatar

The cenotes remind me of the water in the first Avatar movie: other-worldly! What an experience it would be to go snorkeling in them.

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

In 1995, we took a trip to Cancun while I was pregnant with my first baby. We visited and swam in the Cenotes in Riveria Maya. It was sooo incredible! Thanks for sharing the history behind it!

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

She isn’t any more than my son. But that’s interesting if it were true!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Love it! Just wondered.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

How neat Marlo ! Is that particular child more inclined to like the water than you other children?

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

I'm intrigued for certain Jeanine! I've spent hours soaking in those unique Yucatan waters. Never imagined human skeletons beneath my feet... Great story.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Well, Jeanine, for an introduction to the cenotes of Yucatán, readers have been well served here. Nicely done!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Mike!

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Carmen Amato's avatar

He stole from the cenote?! I should not be surprised. Also, what is the connection between the Mayan rain god Cha'ac and Tláloc, the Aztec god of rain? Friends, brothers or entirely separate mythologies? Come join me in the rabbit hole!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Yes, EH Thompson was quite the conniver though he did excavate a lot of Chichen Itza. Alma Reed had his number though. I actually got an email from one of his descendants (!) who lived in Piste, nearby Chichen— when I wrote something for another site years ago—so he ‘ got around.’ Tl’laoc (sp) is the Aztec term for Ch’ac. There was plenty of crossover with Maya and Aztec as believe they both have roots to Olmec.

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Carmen Amato's avatar

Your research never ceases to amaze me!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for the restack, Emese!

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

My pleasure :) Loved this piece! Didn't have time to comment (traveling) sooner, but as I was reading, I felt I was there, getting in a clear, cold cenote, after some hiking in the heat - it always felt so good! I liked how you added the history about Thompson dredging the Sacred Cenote of Chichen... enjoyed your post!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank you Emese!

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Mikel K Miller's avatar

Great history and insights, Jeanine! You're on a roll.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Mikel!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks for the restack, Intro to Mexico!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

This is stunning and fascinating stuff, Jeanine—and also great writing. I wait to learn more in your next segment.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks so much Ruth! They’re gorgeous places, and so many in the Yucatán.

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