Photos - Day 3 - MAMA BEAR COOKBOOK SERIES

MAMA BEAR FAMILY REUNIONS

This was our first year starting "Mama Bear" Family Reunions. Really, any woman who has children can be called a "Mama Bear". With that thought in mind, we gathered our cubs together to spend time. Family reunions are about reconnecting families, enjoying great food, sharing experiences, laughter, fun and making memories together. This was a trip, we will soon not forget. We are hoping in the years to come, other family members will join us.

RELIVING MEMORIES IN BELIZE - JULY 5, 2018

Day 3 - July 5, 2018

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Today a family trip is planned to the Mayan Ruins called Xunantunich, near the Guatemala Boarder. You will be waking up at the crack of dawn, boarding a boat headed for the mainland. The boat ride will take about 1-1/2 hours. Once we arrive in Belize City, we will board two (15-passenger mini-vans), that will take us to the Western border of Belize. When we arrive, our vehicles will be loaded onto a hand cranked ferry, to cross the river. Then our guide (Mark Cal), will be taking us on a tour of some of the most famous ruins in Belize (Xunantunich). You will need jeans, "T" shirt, tennis shoes, hat, sunglasses, camera, sunscreen and bug spray. This is a full day tour, so everyone will be tired by the time we get back to the island. There will be a crock-pot dinner waiting for us, when we get home.

This was our first morning (of the reunion), getting up at 5:00 a.m. to catch a boat to the mainland by 6:00 a.m.

XUNANTUNICH MAYAN RUINS

Xunantunich is an Ancient Maya archeological site in western Belize, about 70 miles west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, well within sight of the Guatemala border – which is a mere 0.62 miles to the west. Xuanatunich served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the Late and Terminal Classic periods to the Belize Valley region. At this time, when the region was at its peak, when nearly 200,000 people lived in Belize.

Xunantunich’s name means "Sculpture of Lady" in the Maya language. It's modern day name is currently unknown. The first modern explorations of the site were conducted by Thomas Gann in the mid-1890s. Gann moved from Britain and served as the district surgeon and district commissioner of Cayo, British Honduras, starting in 1892. He chose this area to settle in because he had an interest in Mayan archaeology, and he wished to be able to explore (at the time) unknown wonders of the indigenous people. Gann’s successor, Sir J. Eric S. Thompson, implemented a more methodical approach to excavating. The main recent archaeological teams to work at Xunantunich and the surrounding region are the Xunantunich Archaeological Project (XAP) and the Xunantunich Settlement Survey (XSS).

In 1959-60, the Cambridge Expedition to British Honduras arrived in the colony and its archaeologist member, Euan MacKie, carried out several months of excavation at Xunantunich. He excavated the upper building on Structure A-11 in Group B and a newly discovered residential structure, A-15, just outside the main complex. Using the European method of detailed recording of the stratigraphy of the superficial deposits (the masonry structures themselves were not extensively cut into) he was able to infer that both buildings had been shattered by a sudden disaster which marked the end of the Classic period occupation. An earthquake was tentatively proposed as the cause; it is inferred purely on the basis of the excavated evidence, and also on the very damaged state of the top building of Structure A-6 ('El Castillo').

Mayan farmers that fed the people living in Xunantunich typically lived in small villages, divided into kin-based residential groups. The farms were spread out widely over the landscape, though the center of Xunantunich itself is rather small in comparison. These villages were economically self-sufficient, which may be the reason why Xunantunich lasted as long as they did; they were not dependent on the city to provide for them.

While touring the site, we got to see many areas where archeological teams are working on uncovering more of the ruins. There is extensive note taking, shifting of dirt and physical examinations taking place.

Lunch Time in San Ignacio, Belize

It's 6:00 a.m. and we're headed for the mainland, to see the ruins called, Xunantunich

Back to the island on the 4:30 p.m. boat, arriving at 6:00 p.m. into San Pedro - just in time for our "Crockpot Pot Roast & Mash Potatoes". Everyone is tired and it has been along day. Tomorrow is picture day, so we get to sleep in and enjoy a little slumber in the morning. It was an enjoyable day together, we got to see & experience many things. Part of the true joy of any family reunion, is spending time together, and having a little adventure at the same time.