OCC S WORLD OF THE MAYA

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1 OCC S WORLD OF THE MAYA Travel Seminar: Spring Break in Mexico March 22 (sat) March 30 (sun), 2014 Archaeology, Culture, & Ecology Earn 3 College Credits SEMINAR DESCRIPTION A great 9 day/8 night guided archaeological and cultural journey to some of the most impressive and beautiful Maya sites of Mexico s Yucatan Peninsula. With a Maya archaeologist as your guide, you will explore major archaeological sites, Spanish colonial towns, traditional Maya villages and markets, meet a practicing Maya shaman, swim in ancient Maya cenotes, and take a boat trip though an extraordinary nature reserve to see wild flamingos, hawks and crocodiles. Your seminar concludes with a stay on the white sandy beaches of the Maya Riviera at a sanctuary for wild sea turtles. Round trip airfare, hotels, and most meals included. SEMINAR LEADER Prof. Christine Kitchin is an anthropologist/archaeologist who conducted 13 years of research at the ancient Maya site of Copan. This is her sixth World of the Maya Travel Seminar. Prof. Kitchin is fluent in Spanish and has studied and traveled extensively throughout the Maya world. SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS Spectacular ancient Maya archaeological sites Living Maya villages with lunch in a typical Maya home Blessing ceremony by an authentic Maya Shaman Swim in sacred Cenotes, entrances to the Maya Underworld Boat trip though the Rio Lagartos Nature Reserve Spanish colonial towns and native markets Caribbean beaches of the Maya Riviera YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES Round trip airfare on United Airlines All hotel accommodations 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners All Mexican ground transportation in private air conditioned vans All admissions and guided tours at each site. Round trip shuttle between OCC and airport Meal tips, taxes, OCC instruction, tuition & fees (Please contact Prof. Kitchin for a full itinerary.) NOT INCLUDED: Personal expenses, airline baggage fees, tips, activities, meals, and services not specifically listed. REGISTRATION DEADLINE JANUARY 7, 2014 Ocean County residents...$2,769 Out of County...$2,865 Out of State...$3,111 Single Room Supplement (optional)...$445 SCHOLARSHIPS are available for OCC Students. MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY are welcome to participate on a non-credit basis. Students will be enrolled in ANTH 239: World of the Maya - Mexico Travel Seminar for three college credits. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and out of high school. Space is limited. Registration is on a first-come/first-served basis. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION contact Prof. Christine Kitchin, ckitchin@ocean.edu X2421

2 Ocean County College ANTH 239: World of the Maya: Mexico Travel Seminar March 22 through 30, 2014 Tour Leader: Prof. Christine Kitchin Itinerary Saturday, March 22, OCC Campus - Cancun Valladolid: Shuttle from OCC Campus to Newark Airport. Seminar participants may park their cars free of charge on OCC Campus. Direct flight via United Airlines from Newark to Cancun International Airport, where we will be met by our local Maya guide and driver for transportation to the lovely Spanish colonial town of Valladolid. Stop for lunch along the way. Valladolid is famous for its traditional zocolo (town square plaza), quaint architecture, and sacred cenotes. Overnight at Hotel Meson del Marques, a converted 17 th century Spanish Governor s mansion located on the zocolo, a perfect spot from which to experience the colonial heritage of the town. Welcome Dinner tonight. (L, D) Sunday, March 23, Ek Balam Cenote Dzitnup Valladolid Fiesta: After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the recently excavated classic Maya site of Ek Balam, known for its double defensive walls, remarkable stucco decorations, and monster mouth doorways. Lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, after which we drive to the underground Cenote Dzitnup, a freshwater sinkhole located in a cave, stunningly lit with electric lights. Cenotes are unique in the world and were once the only source for fresh water in the Yucatan jungle. Cenotes and caves were sacred places to the Maya because they represented entrances to Xibalba, the watery Underworld. The cenote s water is clean and cool and the swimming is excellent. For those who don t choose to swim in the cenote, Dzitnup also has a traditional craft market offering many Maya handicrafts. Return to Valladolid. This evening we will participate in Valladolid s Sunday night fiesta. The zocolo will be closed to car traffic and the area will be filled with music, dancing, and a street fair. We will enjoy dinner on the zocolo and join the festivities. Overnight Hotel Meson del Marques, Valladolid. (B, L, D) Monday, March 24, Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve Chichen Itza. After breakfast at our hotel, we will drive to the North Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and the town of Rio (river) Lagartos for a boat trip into the lagoons and mangrove islands of Ria (wetland/estuary) Lagartos Biosphere Reserve to explore the wild flamingo sanctuary. In addition to the flamingos, the area is home to ospreys, frigate birds, herons, pelicans, hawks, and even wild crocodiles. We will learn how the Maya gathered salt, an important trade item, from the sea and stop to learn about the natural clay mud baths and even try them if you wish. Lunch will be at a local waterside restaurant to enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood. After lunch, the tour will continue to Chichen Itza and check into our hotel in the countryside near the famous archaeological ruins. This evening, after an early poolside dinner, we will attend a planetarium show to learn about the Maya creation story and the Maya cosmos. Overnight at Hotel Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza. (B, L, D) Tuesday, March 25, Chichen Itza Cenote Ik Kil. After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza, the Yucatan s most spectacular archaeological site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You will explore the Maya Observatory, the Castillo (Castle), the Temple of the Warriors, the famous Cenote of Sacrifice, and the largest Ballcourt in the Maya world. Then we transfer to Cenote Ik Kil, a truly beautiful blue cenote hung with tropical liana vines, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch and a refreshing swim, and have time to visit the local craft market at the site. Return to the hotel for some time to relax and write in our travel journals. Tonight there will be a poolside dinner at the hotel. Overnight Hotel Villas Arqueologicas Chichen Itza. (B, L, D) Wednesday, March 26, Maya Shaman of Yachuna Lunch in a Maya Home - Mayapan. Today begins with breakfast at the hotel then departure for the traditional Maya village of Yachuna for interaction with the local people. In Yachuna, you will have a very special opportunity to witness and participate in a blessing ceremony by an authentic Maya shaman, after which we will visit the small local cultural museum. Our visit to Yachuna concludes with lunch prepared for us by a Maya family in a traditional thatched roof Maya home. In the afternoon, we explore Mayapan, the political and cultural capital of the Maya in the Yucatan during the Late Post Classic period and the last Maya holdout against the Spanish Conquistadores. We then continue on to Uxmal for check in at our hotel and dinner. Hotel accommodations at Hacienda Uxmal, an historic hacienda hotel at the edge of the Uxmal archaeological site. (B, L, D) 1

3 Thursday, March 27, Uxmal - Labna Kabah Mani - Uxmal Light and Sound Show. After breakfast at the hotel, our group will explore Uxmal, the jewel of Maya ruins in Yucatan and one of the most beautiful of all Maya sites. The Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal is the most distinctive ancient structure on the Yucatán Peninsula and is unique because of its rounded sides, steep slope, and enormous height of over 115 feet, all built by the ancient Maya carrying stones on their backs, with no beasts of burden, no wheel. We then take a short drive to the smaller but beautiful Puuc Hills sites of Labna and Kabah, where the architecture and symbolism are different from other Maya sites, including ornate facades with hundreds of stacked depictions of the Maya rain god, Chaac. Then on to the village of Mani for lunch. After lunch, we visit the Franciscan Monastery at Mani, built by the Spanish in the 1500 s by tearing down the Maya temples and reusing the stones. In 1562, Friar Diego de Landa burned numerous Maya codices (books) and 5000 Maya religious idols at the monastery in an effort to convert the Maya to Christianity by force. Return to our hotel for an early dinner. In the cool of the evening, we walk back to the nearby Uxmal ruins for the evening light and sound show. Overnight Hacienda Uxmal. (B, L, D) Friday, March 28, Merida Museum Coba Akumal/Maya Riviera. Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we travel to Merida, a lovely colonial city and the capital of the Yucatan, to visit the Museum of Anthropology to see the wonderful artifacts excavated from the various sites we visit. Then the tour will travel back toward the east to the archaeological site of Coba, located on two lagoons deep in the Maya jungle. You may peddle your own bicycle or ride a pedicab (rickshaw peddled by a local Maya boy) to explore this extensive site in the jungle. Bicycles and pedicab rides are provided as part of your tour package. Those who feel adventuresome can climb the 120 steps to the top of the Nohoch Mul Pyramid for a panoramic view. Lunch, then continue on to the Caribbean Coast beaches where we check into the Akumal Beach Resort, an eco-resort on the Maya Riviera. Akumal means Place of the Sea Turtles in Mayan and is a sanctuary and nesting ground for several wild species, including loggerhead and green turtles. Sea turtles do visit Akumal in March so, if we are fortunate, you will be able to see and snorkel with them (snorkel equipment rental extra; available at our hotel for about $10/day.) Overnight Akumal Beach Resort, Maya Riviera, where all meals, snacks, beverages, and evening live entertainment are included. (B, L, D) Saturday, March 29, Tulum Akumal/Maya Riviera: Today, after an early breakfast at our resort, we set out to explore the beautiful archeological site of Tulum. Known by the Maya as The City of Dawn because it faces the sunrise, Tulum is located on a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This Pre-Columbian city was the main port for Coba, located farther inland, and was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the ancient Maya. Tulum, one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites and one of the most picturesque places in the Maya world, was the hub for trade in salt, cotton textiles, feathers, jade, and obsidian. After our tour of Tulum, we return to our resort for a late lunch and time to write in our travel journals, swim in the Caribbean, and search for wild sea turtles and, unfortunately, to pack. Farewell Dinner this evening at the resort. Overnight Akumal Beach Resort, Maya Riviera. (B, L, D) Sunday, March 30, Departure: Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Cancun airport for our direct flight home via United Airlines. Shuttle from Newark Airport to OCC campus. (B) B = Breakfast included. L = Lunch included. D = Dinner included. Not included: Any meals, activities, or services not specifically listed on this itinerary, airline baggage fees (one checked bag = $25 each way), and costs of a personal nature. Coffee and tea are provided at breakfast but other beverages must be purchased (except when at Akumal Beach Resort). Tap water is not potable in all of Mexico. Our van will provide a bottle of drinking water per person each day. It will be necessary to purchase additional drinking water as needed. Water is readily available for purchase and is not expensive. This is an active travel seminar that includes light hiking, walking over uneven terrain, and climbing old, uneven steps at some ruins. If you have concerns about the physical demands of the program, please consult with Prof. Kitchin and your physician before registering. Ocean County College and the tour guides may make changes in this itinerary if, in their judgment, conditions warrant or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour. 2

4 OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE APPLICATION FOR ANTH 239: WORLD OF THE MAYA-MEXICO TRAVEL SEMINAR MARCH 22 30, 2014 This travel seminar is open to anyone who is at least 18 years old and out of high school. Community members may participate on a non-credit basis. REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT: JANUARY 7, Please Type or Print Very Clearly: NAME exactly as it appears on your passport: STUDENT ID # (if applicable) STREET ADDRESS: CITY STATE ZIP CODE HOME PHONE: CELL PHONE: DATE OF BIRTH: ARE YOU A U.S. CITIZEN? ( )YES ( )NO SEX: ( )MALE ( )FEMALE COUNTY AND STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE: COLLEGE PRESENTLY ATTENDING (if applicable): ( )FULL TIME ( )PART TIME ROOM PREFERENCE: ( )DOUBLE ( )SINGLE (additional cost of $445) PREFERRED ROOMMATE (if known): If you sign up for a double room but do not sign up with a roommate, we will try to match you with another person of the same gender who is seeking to share a room. However, if no roommate is available, it will be necessary for you to pay the single supplement of $445. PRESENT PHYSICAL CONDITION (Please check one): ( )EXCELLENT ( )GOOD ( )POOR PASSPORT # (required) PASSPORT EXPIRES: PROOF OF RESIDENCY/LEGAL DOMICILE REQUIRED FOR OCEAN COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY (Please include photocopy of one of the following attached to your completed application): Driver s License Valid New Jersey Voter Registration Motor Vehicle Registration County I.D. Card State-Printed New Jersey Tax Return Label (from preceding year) Out-of-County or Out-of-State Resident (No proof of residency required) I CERTIFY THAT ALL INFORMATION ON THIS APPLICATION IS CORRECT. I CERTIFY THAT I AM AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE AND NO LONGER ENROLLED IN HIGH SCHOOL. I AGREE TO NOTIFY PROF. KITCHIN OF ANY CHANGES TO THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS APPLICATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY APPLICATION WILL BE REVIEWED AND CAN BE ACCEPTED OR DENIED. SIGNATURE: DATE: 1

5 Cost of trip: Ocean County Residents $ per person (Ocean County residents must enclose proof of residency; see page 1) Out-of-County Residents $ per person Out of State Residents $ per person Single Room Supplement (optional) add $ TOTAL: Check enclosed Paying by Credit Card Included: Round-trip airfare, transport to and from airport from OCC, all hotels (double occupancy; add $445 for single room), meals as noted on the itinerary, scheduled tours and admissions as noted on the itinerary, professional guides, and OCC college fees and tuition. Not included: Beverages, airline baggage fees, personal expenses, meals and activities not listed on the itinerary, and anything else not specifically listed above. REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT: JANUARY 7, The full seminar cost is due at the time of Registration. Credit cards accepted. (Required registration materials include this completed Application, the seminar cost, and proof of Ocean County residency, if an Ocean County resident.) Payment is refundable only if OCC cancels the seminar. If you wish to purchase trip cancellation insurance you must contact a carrier directly. Make all checks / money orders payable to: Ocean County College Mail Completed Application with check or money order to Prof. Christine Kitchin Ocean County College School of Social Science and Human Services BART 210 PO Box 2001 Toms River, NJ To pay by Credit Card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover), Mail the application materials to Prof. Kitchin then call Angela Stephen in the OCC Cashier s Office at X2040 to make the Credit Card Payment. Please indicate on your application that you are paying by credit card. Questions? Please Contact: ckitchin@ocean.edu Prof. Christine Kitchin Phone: X2421 2