GeoTourism Innovating Eco-Cultural Hotel Practices in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

We hope our readers will support our innovating program to empower the rural Mayan people and their communities near Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, by visiting our GeoTourism project entree at GeoTourism Challenge 2009 "Place of Power: Sustaining the Future of Destinations" a competition organized by National Geographic and Ashoka's Changemakers.

THE MAYA FOUNDATION IN LAAKEECH A.C. innovating goal is help Maya rural people to achieve their personal goals, become self reliant, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle with the help of our volunteer team and sponsors. We invite you to support our sustainable community efforts and volunteer work by voting from July 14th, 2009 on, for our cause, sustainable tourism project, vision and mission. Join in, support us with your vote and place your comments to our competition's homepage: http://geotourism.changemakers.com/en-us/node/20470

With your help we can impact many Maya rural families' future and support many more Maya Children's nutritional needs. If you wish to volunteer or just learn about our nutritional program or pledge a small donation to support it, kindly contact us: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx

The Maya Foundation In Laakeech and Hacienda Chichen eco-cultural sustainable vision and mission is committed to social, health and educational care as well as encouraging sound ecological practices within the Maya communities and rural indigenous people. We hope our readers will be motivated to support our eco-cultural social ventures, sustainable tourism efforts, and the many volunteer job-related workshps abroad such as ESL teaching, Computer Skills teaching, German as a Second Language teaching, etc. Any job related skill you have that can be helpful to work in the hospitality business will always be of great value to rural Maya young adults living near Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, where the travel industry is the only non-farming related work available to them. So help us help and place your vote today!

Congratulations to Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa

Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa have implemented an active and innovative sustainable eco-cultural and social vision that has gained them International recognition. We congratulate these dedicated companies for their efforts to preserve and promote the Maya Culture and protect the environment, empowering rural indigenous people is key to their success. The way they conduct their hospitality practices, service guests, help the Maya Communities near their property, and protect the flora and fauna within their vast private Maya Jungle Reserve is an example of good stewardship and commitment to improve they way to do business. Their commitment to promote and practice green awareness and social volunteer actions to empower the Maya indigenous people in their Yucatan municipality, has gained them the support and admiration from many respected institutes and International organizations. This April, National Geographic Travel editors selected Hacienda Chichen and Yaxkin Spa to be included in their 2009 Stay List Hotel We Love Guide.

"The hotels on our Stay List 2009 don't just reflect their surroundings-they help define them," says Traveler Senior Editor Sheila Feldman Buckmaster. "What they all have in common is a transcendent vision that goes beyond traditional hotel-keeping. This mindset is what gives these hotels their sense of place. Make no mistake: you'll sense the vibe at once. And after your stay, you'll leave with the kind of insight only soulful places can provide." Quote from National Geographic Traveler Senior Editor, Sheila Buckmaster.

National Geographic Traveler 2009 Stay List criteria and selection process
began by tapping into the collected experiences of veteran journalists, inveterate road warriors, and local experts. They based their nominations on key criteria. Is the hotel engaged with the local community? Does it subscribe to sustainable practices that respect the region? Does it truly capture the spirit of its setting? Further research and detailed questionnaires winnowed hundreds of submissions down to this sweet list of 129 hotels. The properties on their Stay List offer truly unique experiences, and National Geographic editos are excited to highlight them in their April magazine edition as well as their website.

If you have plans to volunteer this summer 2009 and wish to support the Maya Foundation In Laakeech Social Volunteer Programs, you can stay for free at the Hacienda Chichen's Maya Hut, donated by this green boutique hotel to support the social programs the foundation actively conducts in the Maya communities nearby Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, for detail information about how to apply to the ESL teaching volunteer and other job related volunteer opportunities with free rooming at the Hacienda Chichen, kindly visit the following webpage:
http://www.yucatanadventure.com.mx/volunteering-FAQ.htm

2009 Eco-Spa Wellness Maya Retreats

Do not miss the opportunity to participate in a unique Yucatan Spa Vacation and Mayan Eco-Spa Holistic Retreat at Yaxkin Spa in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico:

2009 JUNE: starts 23rd. at 5 PM - ends June 26th. at 1 PM

2009 SEPTEMBER: starts 1st. at 5 PM - ends Sept. 4th at 1 PM

2009 OCTOBER: starts 8th. at 5 PM - ends Oct. 11th at 1 PM

These 2009 Yucatan Mayan Spa Vacation and Holistic Mayan Eco-Spa Retreats were designed to bring you a unique mystical Mayan Spa experience with holistic purification Mayan Spa rituals and ceremonies, organic gourmet menus, group meditation; plus, personal Mayan Spa holistic care, Mayan herbal therapies, Zumpul-che, and Mayan healthy cooking classes included.

Price per person, taxes apply:

Single occupancy / a Queen bed / historic room: US $ 1250.00
Double occupancy / two full beds / historic room: US $ 980.00

Double occupancy / a Queen bed / honeymoon room: US $ 1000.00

Double occupancy / a King or 2 full beds /Master Suite: US $ 1150.00

Read further details on the program and services included at http://www.yaxkinspa.com/
Above Eco-Spa Retreat prices include 35% off regular rates, save an extra 10% sale tax when prepaying your bookings via Chichen Service
or Travel Yucatan Today online.

2009 SPRING EQUINOX AT CHICHEN ITZA, YUCATAN, MEXICO

This 21st. of March 2009 the Mayan Elder Healers and J-Men Wiseman invite you to participate in the Mayan New Fire Ceremony in their Mayan Sacred Ceremonial Site located within the Mayan Jungle Reserve of Hacienda Chichen. Celebrations will start at 10 AM and participation is free, although donations are highly appreciated by the Mayan Shamans and Healers.

After the ceremony, J-Men Tamay will celebrate a holistic Mayan Zumpul-che ceremony to revitalize mind, body, emotions, and soul, to unite your inner-self with the Cosmos and Mother Nature. Zumpul-che Mayan sweatbath ceremonies are similar to a Mexican Temazcal for their purification and therapeutical healing, but the Maya Zumpul-che is a high mystical holistic experience we surely recommend to anyone visiting Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.

For registration and booking your participation to this 2009 Spring Equinox celebrations and Mayan ceremonies, kindly email us at info@yucatanadventure.com.mx and we will be happy to help you reserve your participation. Registration to the Mayan 2009 Equinox ceremonies and experiences offered at Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa, please view their webpages http://www.haciendachichen.com/ and http://www.yaxkinspa.com/ also our own website http://www.yucatanadventure.com.mx/

First Mayan Food Festival at Hacienda Chichen Resort, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

This past 12th of December, 2008, Executive Chef Josue Cime and his cooking team offered a feast of Mayan Culinary delights to guests and visitors at the Hacienda Chichen´s First Annual Mayan Food Festival. For two days, the Chef offered free Mayan Cooking Classes and healthy organic snacks created with fresh ripe fruits and veggies from this unique Green Boutique Hotel’s own Organic Grown Crops.

Visitors enjoy Papadzul Tamales with pumpkin seed and fresh tomatoes sauce; Chaya Empanadas, a vegetarian traditional recipe; Mango and Tangerine Colada; Classic Guacamole; Chicken Chili mole and other delicious delights. This First Mayan Food Festival was so successful that the Chef got encourage to Celebrate the 6th of January 2009 with guests, visitors, and tourists alike; he plans to share "Día de Reyes" a traditional Colonial Festivity popular all over Mexico where children get their presents and gifts from family friends, and everybody enjoys a special Hot Cocoa (chocolate) Drink and shares the traditional "Rosca con el Niño Jesus" (a brioche egg bread shaped as a crown with a small porcelain baby Jesus in it). All guests are invited to take a big slice of this bread; the person that gets the little figurine is expected to invite the group to a party for he or she is the future host of another Grin Fiesta in February!

So, if you plan to be in Chichen Itza, on Jan.5th and 6th, take the time to join in this enchanting Mexican Fiesta which will be hosted from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Main Garden of the hotel. Personal donations are welcome to support the Maya Foundation In Laakeech own Día de Reyes fiesta for the Mayan Children Nutrition Clinic in Xcalacoop; please give and share freely, a dollar can do so much good to help us help their nutritional needs.

Mayan Special Vacation Packages

Travelers looking for eco-cultural vacations to visit Yucatan, Mexico, should view our www.yucatanadventure.com.mx/offers.htm web-page where a selection of Vacation Packages are offered at discount prices.

Come and experience the Maya Culture and its traditions as you help the Mayan communities near Chichen Itza. Take time to know the mystical traditions of the Maya people and help us help them have a better future! If you wish to volunteer or participate in the volunteer vacation program of the Maya Foundation In Laakeech, please contact us now via email: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx

YUCATAN ADVENTURE'S TRAVEL BLOG: Be a Maya Foundation In Laakeech Volunteer

YUCATAN ADVENTURE'S TRAVEL BLOG: Be a Maya Foundation In Laakeech Volunteer

Help us help the Mayan communities nearby Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico. The Maya Foundation In Laakeech has a volunteer travel program for people that wish to donate their time and teach job related skills to the young adult Mayan people in these communities.

Please contact Jose Tamay to request further information about this non-profit civil association dedicated to the welfare of the Maya people. Travelers wishing to help, may also do so, by donating old used clothes, multi-vitamins, cheap drug store reading glasses for adults, or any small item that can be packed and given as a gift of love to the Mayan families in need.

Contact us via email: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx for further details on how to help!

KA’A MOLAYIL J-MENO’OB YÉETEL TS’AKYAJO’OB MAAYA’OB

SECOND TRADITIONAL MAYA HEALING SYMPOSIUM OF MAYA SENIOR HEALERS & PRIESTS, IN CANTAMAYEC, YUCATAN, MEXICO

On the weekend of September 26th - 28th, 2008 over 60 Senior Mayan Healers and Priests (J-Men and Ix Men) will participate in the Second Symposium of Maya Holistic Healing Traditions. These holy healers will conduct intensive Healing Tradition dialogues, lectures and practices in private sessions during two days in Cantamayec, Yucatan, Mexico

Their desire is to encourage the new generations to learn about the Mayan Healing Traditions, practice their ancestors’ rituals, holistic approach to healing and mystical ceremonies and sacred Cosmo-vision, the art of living in harmony with the Earth, Nature and the Cosmos.

On Sunday September 28, 2008, these Maya Wisemen and Healers will have an Open to the Public Agenda of Maya Healing Rituals and Private Mayan holistic consulting which you are invited to participate in. Please contact us if you are interested in going so we can help you make arrangements to arrive on time to the Maya village of Cantamayec. The Sunday Program includes Mayan Sacred Ceremonies as well as a Mayan Holistic Workshop dedicated to the understanding of "Sacred Sounds and Musical Tones" imparted by Ing. Manuel Rosado; participation is free and you can register via email to: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx


SEGUNDO ENCUENTRO DE SACERDOTES Y MÉDICOS MAYAS

Se realizará en Cantamayec, Yucatán, del 26 al 28 de septiembre de 2008, con la participación de 60 Sacerdotes y Médicos Tradicionales Mayas (Aj Men, J-Men) de todo el Mayab. Este Encuentro tiene como propósito el crear un dialogo entre los Aj Men y las Ix Men participantes, en el que puedan comunicarse e intercambiar sus conocimientos, prácticas y rituales; de este modo, se fortalezca y vitalice la integración genuina de sus conocimientos, para que sigan cumpliendo con la valiosa función de preservar, difundir y practicar la Cosmovisión, Espiritualidad y Medicina Mayas.

Hoy en día, la edad de la mayoría de los Aj Men y las Ix Men oscila entre los 50 y 70 años, lo cual significa que en unos 30 años mas, estos hombres y mujeres (Ix Men) ilustres serán solo recuerdo histórico de no difundir esta tradicional actividad tan noble entre los Mayas. La primordial razón por la que este oficio de servicio comunitario se esta abandonando entre los jovenes Mayas es que esta noble actividad genera muy pocos ingresos para quien la practica. Sin embargo, los actuales Aj Men y Ix Men estan promoviendo entre los jovenes el salvo-guardar sus tradiciones misticas y espirituales para mantener esta importante actividad cultural entre los Mayas.

Al finalizar este Segundo Encuentro Holístico el domingo 28, 2008; todas las actividades estarán abiertas al público en general, y serán las siguientes:

1) 6:00 AM a 7:00 AM - Ceremonia Maya llamada U ts'aak Mejen paalal

2) 9:00 AM a 12:00 M - Consultas al público en general, limpias, oraciones o asesoría espiritual; la cuota es voluntaria y se le entrega directamente al Aj Men, Ix Men.

3) 9:00 AM a 12:00 M - Taller de Sonidos Sagrados Ancestrales, impartido por el Ing. Manuel Rosado Sarmiento, entrada gratuita, abierta a todo público. Favor de llevar un tapete para recostarte en el suelo, y se puede llevar alguno de estos instrumentos: Tambor, tunkul, caracol, tunjá y/o sonaja. Este taller es vivencial, y su propósito es que conozcas las propiedades de cada uno de estos sonidos y el efecto que tienen en el organismo, mente y espíritu humanos.

4) 12:30 PM - Clausura y Ceremonia Maya de U Máank’inalij K’aam Nikte’ ,
Pueblo de Cantamayec, Yucatan, Mexico.

An Important Ancient Mayan City has been found in Yucatan, Mexico

INAH Archaeologists Thelma Sierra and Agustín Peña did a brief fieldwork on a new Mayan site located in the South of Yucatan. Both archaeologists are concerned that INAH has yet to assign a budget to safe-guard this site. Sadly, there are no official INAH guards on site to protect this magnificent ancient Mayan city, a site as large as Chichen Itza.

Today, this unique archaeological site's many steles, ceramics, sculptures and temples are exposed to fraudulent activities due to lack of proper safe measures from INAH officials. The site has many fabulous carved stones and sculptures that indicate it was a major commercial metropolis to the ancient Maya.

Zona Arqueológica de gran importancia ha sido descubierta en Yucatán

Ubicada al sur del estado, en el ejido San Diego Buenavista, esta vasta urbe maya aun sin nombre corre peligro de saqueos y poca vigilancia en su entorno. Los arqueólogos Thelma Sierra Sosa y Agustín Peña Castillo, quienes trabajan para el Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) en Yucatán, afirman que todo indica que esta urbe es tan grande como las ciudades de Chichén Itzá y Teotihuacán, por las dimensiones de los edificios; la presencia de estelas y gran variedad de cerámica prehispánica importada. Los trabajos de rescate que se realizan actualmente son parte de los recursos destinados para la construcción de una carretera en el Cono Sur del Estado y provienen de la Dirección de Vías Terrestres de Yucatán, no del INAH, ya que se esta al construir una carretera que pasé por está Zona Arqueológica recién descubierta.

Ambos arqueólogos lamentan que a pesar de la evidente importancia de este hallazgo, el INAH aun no ha destinado recursos para la protección de esta zona arqueológica maya, ni ha puesto custodios para salvaguardar estos vestigios mayas abiertamente expuestos a posibles saqueos.

CHICHEN ITZA SACRED MAYAN CEREMONIAL SITE ANNIVERSARY

We invite you to participate in Chichen Itza Sacred Mayan Ceremonial Site Anniversary with the Maya Elder Wiseman, J-Men, and Elder Healers on June 28th, 2008 at 9am. The ceremonial site is at the Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle Reserve in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. All guests and visitors are invited to participate in this spiritual celebration starting with the SAKA Ceremony and followed by Chef Josue Cime's traditional Mayan cook-out. Participation is free of charge but donations are most welcome.

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Contact us at info@yucatanadventure.com.mx for further information.

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La Asociación de Ancianos y Sacerdotes Mayas KUCH KAAB Y'EETEL J'MEN MAAYA'OB, A.C invita a nuestros visitantes a la ceremonia maya del “Saka” para celebrar el primer aniversario del Centro Ceremonial Maya de Chichen Itza, el dia 29 de junio, 2008 a las 9:00 AM. Para mayor información contáctenos vía email a: info@yucatanadventure.com.mx