American Civilizations before Columbus

It it REALLY the END?

2011-10-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

By now, we’ve ALL heard the “end of the world” is coming!

The Mayan “long count” calendar ends on December 21^st of this year.

You might even have seen a movie or two about the end of life on this earth as we know it.

Let's talk about it!

A new class of airline seating

2011-05-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Delta’s entry into the growing mid priced “Economy Comfort” class.

On June first, Delta will initiate a new class called Economy Comfort. These seats will have an additional four inches of legroom, some free booze, priority boarding, free HBO programming on the seatback TVs, and about 50 percent greater angle recline. Initially, they’ll be available on select long-haul intercontinental routes.

Beginning May 9^th, Delta joined other carriers in offering a middle class of service. When you book an economy ticket, and one of these seats is available, you may upgrade, for a fee. Prices will vary, but, you can expect about an $ 80 fee (+/-) for a one-way East Coast to Europe flight.

These seats may be offered as “free upgrades” to members of their frequent flier Diamond and Platinum Medallion clients.

Find full details on Economy Comfort on Delta's site.

Read more and/or participate in their poll @ http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2011/05/woud_you_pay_about_80_for_an_u.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Safest destinations in Mexico

2011-05-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

The safest destinations in Mexico? There are more than you might think

Comments

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

CAPTION

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

Poor Mexico. The country is almost three times the size of Texas, but given the bad press, you'd think you're guaranteed to get caught in drug cartel crossfire just about anywhere~

Mexico's safest travel destinations

Cabo San Lucas; Mexico, California, or both?

2011-03-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

You'll have to forgive me if I sound exited. This place is great. The stores carry the same merchandise and food as we have up here, and yet, it's uniquely Mexican in it's own way. You can find anything from Ultra Luxurious to 5 star to budget accommodations. It can be "party central" while at the same time, just being a sleepy little Mexican (or anywhere else for that matter) village.

The Corridor seems like one giant golf course with resorts sprinkled throughout. At the other end of the "Corridor" you'll find San Jose de Los Cabos. It's almost the complete opposite. Evening art shows, old colonial architecture, peaceful and quiet.

Whether you want to fish, shoot pool, swim, or just watch the whales, there is plenty to do. Of course, if you just want to veg, pick the right place and you are set! A cold drink in one hand, a guide book in the other, and scenery you have to see to believe.

I'll be back. This place is great! Cabo San Lucas!

Is it safe to Travel to Mexico?

2010-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Judging by the numbers, many are saying 'yes'.

Mexico is actually hosting MORE tourists now than before the troubles began.

Read the entire article at :

www.Travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2010/12/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-mexico-judging-from-the-numbers-many-say-yes/134217/1

Ichcabal an excuse to visit Laguna Bacalar

2010-08-04T15:29:00.002-07:00

Rumor has it, Ichcabal, may open to the touring public in late 2010. For those of you who are not familiar with Ichcabal, it's in the vicinity of Chetumal and the Laguna Bacalar. I never pass up a chance to visit Bacalar. It's spectacular! Even the Maya thought so! Enough of that. Ichcabal is a large site, well preserved, and I hear, not yet looted. Got to go and see this place. Anyone else want to go?

The Popol Vuh - The Mayan Creation Story found in Mirador

2010-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

El Mirador

2010-07-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Anyone heard anything more on El Mirador? They're talking "the biggest pyramid in the world", and I thought the Popol Vuh frieze was the greatest..... Check out the vidoes.

http://www.miradorbasin.com/resources/news/2009-10_cnn_report.php

Was the New World Settled Twice?

2010-06-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

Were the primary ancestors of today's Native Americans really the first people to set foot in the New World? Genetic evidence suggests so, but ancient skeletons tell a different story. Now, the most detailed analysis yet of ancient American skulls concludes that there were two distinct waves of colonizers from Asia, suggesting that another group got here first.

You can read the rest at:

Was the New World Settled Twice?

by Andrew Lawle

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/06/was-the-new-world-settled-twice.html

HistoryWorld - Mesoamerican civilization Timeline

2010-06-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

HistoryWorld - Mesoamerican civilization Timeline

If you are here, you already know of Teotihuacan,

2010-06-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

but, what did the builders of this city call it? Just how extensive was their "empire"? We know they traded with the gulf coast. Check out "Cantona".

http://www.instituteofmayastudies.org/html/events.html

"Cantona: One of the Largest and Least-Visited Sites in Mexico"
with Ray Stewart

Cantona is located on a cold, 7,500-ft plateau, called the Plains of St. John in the state of Puebla, Mexico. This site was periodically occupied by Huastec Cholulan, Tlaxcaltec, and Mixtec people

Chan Chan, Peru

2010-06-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

600 years ago, it was the largest city in the Americas. The Chimu' capital, with ten thousand structures, some walls 30 feet high, all in a maze of passageways and streets. Their palaces and temples were decorated with elaborate friezes. Some were hundreds of feet long.

While it was fabulously wealthy it lacked fresh water.

It is threatened today by too much water. Torrential rains are washing away the city. Catch it while you can.

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To See pics and Read More Visit : http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Endangered-Cultural-Treasures-Chan-Chan-Peru.html#

The Mundo Maya

2010-05-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'm Joe. I have an interest in all things Maya in particular and the advent of civilization in Meso-America in general. I would like to share what I've learned with everyone who shares my interests.