[Aztlan] Chichen cenote

[Sam Edgerton]

Hi S. Arthur Morris: If you check Google Images, you'll see that the 
Chichen cenote not only contains utterly bilious looking, algae infested 
water but is practically inaccessable to anyone trying to climb down (or 
up) the thirty- or more foot steep walls that surround this fetid sink 
hole.  There are no traces of steps leading down. The rim indeed is 
presently surrounded by yellow caution tape to keep curious tourists from 
betting too curious. There is the remains of a small temple at the edge of 
the brim, however, indicating that the cenote was once a sacred site 
(giving rise to wonderful stories and depictions in the 1930's Hearst press 
of nubile sacrificial virgins in golden slippers diving off the roof like 
Eleanor Holm Jarrett), which probably made the waters off limits to secular 
use even if someone dared to pull up a bucket on a rope. As Mary pointed 
out, there were other more convenient and healthier sources for water in 
the Chichen vicinity.
Sam Edgerton