More Mayans

OK, this research project got away too big for me. So, I am posting some of my pictures of the current-day Mayans we met with a few notes, and lots of links to history and really interesting stuff (which no one will follow, but they are available anyway).

This is Momma, daughter of Grandma. A lovely person who made us all feel welcome.

This is Grandma making a "Barbie hammock" in the boughs of a tree.

Grandma also did the embroidery on an old Singer sewing machine.

Here is some of the embroidery, and you can also see it on the ladies. These are very special occasion dresses they all have on.

The village was NOT poor, but the mode of life is very different than ours. An example is the back yard (with a small pasture fenced beyond for some goats).

A display of some local foods. Penny trying a spicy vegetable salsa on a tortia.

And the kids were pretty incredible.

Now, a few links for

MUCHO INFO.

Notes re Coba then & now:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coba
http://www.brisacaribe.com/mayan-ruins.htm#coba
http://archaeology.about.com/od/cterms/qt/coba.htm
http://www.seamonkeybusiness.com/mayan_culture_mexico.htm
http://www.civilization.ca/civil/maya/mmc06eng.html

Map of Mayan cities:
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maya/mayamap.html

Demise of Mayans:
Climate (drought, sun-spots), Spaniards, warfare, top-heavy society …
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/44510?fulltext=true
http://www.unisci.com/stories/20012/0517011.htm