Ik Kil Cenote

We are having a great stay here in Chichen Itza. Today was spent at the Ik Kil Cenote. I had never heard of a 'cenote' until we arrived in Chichen Itza and George said we would visit this Blue Sacred Cenote, which happens to be across the street from our hotel.

This morning we entered the sacred pool which is surrounded by limestone and plants on the walls. We were the first visitors in the pool and had it all to ourselves for a little while! In the water it was quiet, and felt kind of sacred.


Eventually more people started arriving. Many of them were holding cell phones, cameras, video recorders, and those 'selife poles' with their cameras attached. I wondered, are we (meaning a ll of us) trying to have experiences, or just capture them to share online?

Of course we took lots of pictures too. Of course, the tours have limited time to spend and people want to capture their memories, while having fun. On one hand, it's good people are getting out and doing active things while supporting tourism . On the other hand, there is a lack of etiquette when someone stops right in front of you (blocking your view) to take their selfies.

I tried to embrace my time in the water by noticing how silky, pure, and refreshing it felt as I was enveloped in it made a stronger tactile impression. By looking up to the Mayan sky and feeling the 'rain' where water falls from rock crevices above. By seeing all the small black catfish that swim in this water as well. And no scent of chlorine whatsoever. Obviously using more of our senses enhance the experience. This, by far, was the best, most amazing water I have ever swam in (second best is the warm, turquoise Caribbean Sea).

Even though people who are constantly glued to their devices, snapping photos of everything, annoy me, I think the answer is both - being present while having the experience, and capturing it in photos to share...as long as you are not spending the whole time looking at the experience through your device, and seeing where you are with our own eyes. For example, 13 years ago in Paris I remember vividly, viewing the Mona Lisa at the Lourve where tourists were crowded around the painting holding up cameras, snapping away. Maybe society has become too instant-everything, to take the necessary time to view art and nature in a slower, meaningful, way. You decide.