Chichen Itza

On Wednesday Eddie and I went with 5 other couples on an LDS tour of Chichen Itza. Pretty much it was a wicked Lamanite (Mayan) city. A lot of human sacrifice was done there. There was an older part of the city where there was a smaller unadorned temple with fonts outside of it.

Our tour guide was named Helaman. He told us how the top room of the temple is similar to Solomon's temple. He explained all of the symbols and how they relate to the Book of Mormon. Some people think that the great white god that came from the sky was aliens. Most tour guides teach that it couldn't have been any one else. REALLY? Aliens is more believable? We liked Helaman. He showed us how the "water collection basins" were really fonts and how only the newer temples had the god of water carved into them (the elephant nosed face).

I couldn't believe how big it was.

There was a playing field for the game where you get the ball through the stone hoop. Helaman told us the name of the game but I forgot it after about 1.7 seconds. The high priest used to choose either the winner or loser and sacrifice a person from the team. They cut of his head and put it in the top room of the temple. Then, they put his heart on an alter. Talk about broken heart and contrite spirit.

After seeing the city we went to a conote (is that how you spell it Dan?) You could swim in it, however we didn't know and didn't have suits. I was a little glad as it is very deep and daunting. But, I would have done it. I guess I'll have to go back someday.

Le Blanc

Our hotel was called Le Blanc. Pretty much I never would have stayed there. Ever. But, Eddie earned it, which means someone else paid for it. The first thing I did was take this picture by the pool while we were being checked in. The waiter brought us coconut water (which is nasty and vile stuff).

This is the terrace. I laid out there one morning and just read a book. The first blue water is a pool. Then, there are steps down to the beach and ocean. It looks like one continual blue water.

Our room.

What I saw out of our patio door.

The bar just inside the terrace. We got some funny looks asking for virgin drinks. Finally we started saying "NO ALCOHOL" just to be sure it was clear. I should have learned that phrase en espanol.

The strawberry pina coladas were mighty fine.

This poor little thing just can't handle dairy yet.

So I bought her some soy yogurt.

She loves it.

However, it is pretty pricey stuff.

So I remembered Mom used to have a

yogurt maker (in Maryland?)

and so I gave it a shot.

After seeing this Carolyn vowed

to never eat yogurt again.

Dairy or Soy.

It does look icky, the directions said it will separate.

But, when it's done you

can whisk it all back together.

If you don't knock the jar over with your immersion blender.

Well, turns out that my makeshift yogurt incubator was too hot.

So, the bacteria all died and it would not

"blend all back together".

I bought a regular yogurt maker so that

the second batch will be edible.

One 6 oz container of soy yogurt is $1.10.

I can make a quart for $1.50

(and $18.99 for the yogurt maker).

I can't wait until it comes.

I'm going to try soy and dairy.

P.S. while the yogurt was cooking Eddie

raved about how good

it smelled, maybe everyone will eat the soy.....

we'll see.