Jodi Sta. Maria flew to Mexico where she saw Mayan temples, swam in sinkholes and feasted on local cuisine, among others.
The first place to visit on her list was the Chichen Itza, an archaeological site that houses different Mayan temples, as Sta. Maria said in her vlog on YouTube last Friday, Sept. 6.
She then went to the El Caracol, an observatory temple. Sta. Maria explained that the Mayans used the said temple to document the movement of celestial bodies. This is because the Mayans based their agricultural decisions on the stars, sun and moon.
She also visited the Kukulkan temple or “The Castle” which featured nine platforms — one for each stage of the underworld that the Mayans believed in. Despite it also being known as “The Castle,” Sta. Maria noted that the king did not live in the said temple. Instead, it was also used to observe the stars.
the Kukulkan temple or “The Castle,” which featured nine platforms — one for each stage of the underworld that the Mayans believed in. Image: Screengrab from Jodi Sta. Maria’s video “I ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT, Experiencing The Local Life In Mexico | Jodi Sta Maria” via YouTube/Jodi Sta. Maria PH
Sta. Maria did not miss the opportunity to climb the Ixmoja pyramid in the province of Coba. To scale the said structure, one may hold on to a rope because its steps are steep and small. The actress admitted to being afraid of heights but still pushed through with the ascent.
The Ixmoja pyramid. Image: Screengrab from Jodi Sta. Maria’s video “I ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT, Experiencing The Local Life In Mexico | Jodi Sta Maria” via YouTube/Jodi Sta. Maria PH
After appreciating Mayan architecture, Sta. Maria also swam in different cenotes. These cenotes are sinkholes that serve as swimming spots for locals and tourists alike, she noted.
The Ik Kil Cenote, one of the sinkholes Sta. Maria visited. Image: Screengrab from Jodi Sta. Maria’s video “I ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT, Experiencing The Local Life In Mexico | Jodi Sta Maria” via YouTube/Jodi Sta. Maria PH
The cenotes were filled with crystal clear water and were home to species of fish. Sta. Maria also noted that the water in these sinkholes were so rich in calcium that a glass of water from a sinkhole was equal to 11 glasses of milk.
Aside from enjoying the tourist spots in Mexico, Sta. Maria also indulged in the local cuisine. She tried the chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast dish made up of tortilla chips, eggs and meat. Sta. Maria also sipped on a horchata, a drink made from Mexican rice water which she said had a sweet flavor and had a similar taste to rice pudding.
Of course, she indulged in one of the most iconic dishes of Mexico — the taco. Sta. Maria showed her fans and followers how to eat a taco “the local way,” where one uses their bare hands to fold the taco once and add their chosen condiments such as salsa and ground pepper, before taking a bite. JB
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