Takalik Abaj...or is it Abaj Takalik?

On Saturday, we came down from the mountains and headed to the Mayan ruins at Abaj Takalik (or Taklik Abaj). This was the first Hoops Sagrado visit to the coast and it took the D.C. kids a few to readjust to the heat and humidity.

The ruins encompass more than 6 sq. kilometers in the area of Retalhuleu (Reu), but only a small portion of it has been excavated. The ruins have both Olmec and  Maya features and the site was once an important center of commerce. It was at its height from around 9 BC to 10 AD.

National Geographic has featured the site prominently so if you would like to read a bit more about it, there is plenty of information out there.

With crazy storm clouds looming and thunder booming in the distance, the visit to Abaj Takalik was educational with a touch of creepiness to it.

Our tour guide did his best to keep everyone's attention and guide us through the site before the deluge (which ultimately never happened).

Cheers to Jionni and Alex who served as our interpreters throughout the visit. 

The students seemed interested for about 75 percent of the tour, which is the most we can ask, and they did ask quite a few questions and take quite a few photos.

 As with almost any Hoops Sagrado endeavor, it wasn't all serious the whole time. There was definitely some time for laughter amid the learning.

No idea what was being said here, but this photo says a lot about our group.