03/18/24 Palenque ruins

March 18, 2024

I caught a ride in one on the minibuses that are continuously going between town and the ruins. I visited here in December of 1976 and my memory is of less buildings and more freedom to climb and explore. I’m not sure if there have been new excavations since I was last here, but the site feels bigger than I recall, and only a few of the buildings allow climbing. You used to be able to climb down inside the main pyramid to the tomb, but it’s blocked off now. There are other tombs in an adjacent structure which you can explore and which I don’t remember from before. I spent about 3 hours wandering the grounds and at the end I was soaking wet with sweat, as if I’d stood in a shower. I think today was especially hot, my Airbnb host commented on it. I couldn’t imagine cycling all day in this weather.