Alamo-San Antonio, TX

If you know anything about Texas then I'm sure this is one thing you definitely know. This is the Alamo. I'm pretty sure as a Texan we are taught about this place from birth or maybe even while still in the womb. 

You first learn that this is where Texas fought for independence from Mexico. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is bad, Davy Crockett and his coonskin cap, and that we lost. Once you get older though you learn the whole back story in Texas history classes. 

The Alamo was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero and was a Roman Catholic mission and fortress. It went from Spanish control to Mexican control. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain and there was much fighting and chaos in Mexico City as liberals and conservatives struggled with power. Most Texas settlers approved of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which gave many freedoms to states. Texas was part of the sparsely populated State of Coahuila y Texas. Later the government rescinded this constitution and settlers wanted to split from Coahuila and form their own state Texas. Tensions were high and in October 1835 the first shots were fired of the Texas Revolution. 

(I'm really trying to give you a short version of the history here... I don't want to write a book.)

At the Alamo there was 200 defenders among those are William B. Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Santa Anna, General and 11 time President of Mexico, arrived with nearly 2,000 men.  The defenders lasted for 13 days but they were finally defeated on March 6, 1836. Texans would win their independence at San Jacinto. 

I've been to the Alamo numerous times. I still love going, but the last time I was in San Antonio I didn't wait in line to go inside. I just walked around outside, that's why I only have this one photo. It's a great place to go see but be prepared for groups of people. Millions of people visit this place each year. Admission is FREE and they gladly accept donations to maintain the site. 

Dzibilchaltún-Merida, Yucatán

Dzibilchaltún is located just outside of Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. (There is no official website that I could find, so I linked it to TravelAdvisor.com) When we took a cruise we joined in on this tour of Mayan ruins. It's not the popular one you always see pictures of, but impressive nonetheless. 

There were settlements here from 500 B.C. to 1540 A.D. It is believed that this area had as many as 40,000 inhabitants. From what I've read to refresh myself on this site is that there is a museum. I didn't get a chance to check it out, but from the pictures the museum exhibit looks really nice. 

At the Temple of the Seven Dolls, also known as Temple of the Sun, a phenomenon takes place twice yearly, at the spring and fall equinoxes, when the rising sun is visible through one window and out the other, a tribute to the incredible mathematical knowledge of the Mayas.  It is amazing what they knew just from watching the stars, moon and sun. These days we all rely on a computer to tell us this. Simply amazing.

Another interesting feature of the site is the natural spring pond, Xlacah. The end on the left is very shallow and gets progressively deeper. It it over 140 feet deep and that leads to a tunnel. In the water they have found carved bone, wooden objects and pottery. This is also one of the largest and deepest bodies of water found on the Yucatan. I didn't take a swim in it because this was our first stop and I wasn't prepared to swim. 

Some of the structures you can climb on top of  to look out at the scenery and it is breathtaking. It can also be a little scary if you are afraid of heights like I am. All in all it is a great place to visit.