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  • Kristin Busse
    Kristin Busse: Cancún Local Expert

    Kristin says Don't leave Cancún without spending a day on Isla Mujeres, zip lining at an adventure park, and diving into a cool cenote.

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Just a few miles from Cancun’s hotel zone is El Centro, otherwise known as downtown Cancun. Unlike the hotel zone, one can experience “real Mexico” in downtown Cancun,...

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USA TODAY 10Best

The Ancient Mayan City of Tulum Gets a New Pyramid

A new kind of pyramid honors the ancient Mayan civilization
Kristin Busse

July 8, 2012 // By Kristin Busse

By Kristin Busse
Cancún Local Expert July 8, 2012

 

The new pyramid will be different from the ones found at the archaeological siteThe new pyramid will be different from the ones found at the archaeological site — Photo courtesy of Pyramid of Positive Thinking 2012

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Much of the world is wondering what's going to happen on December 21, 2012. Some think that the ancient Mayan civilization predicted the end of the world would occur on this date. However, most Mayan experts explain the Maya simply believed that a 5,126-year cycle will end and another will begin. The new cycle will represent a new beginning for civilization.

"The Pyramid of Positive Thinking," a project that's part of Cancun’s campaign to honor the Mayan calendar and the "rebirth of the world," is being constructed in the heart of Tulum, about 80 miles south of Cancun.

Tulum actually consists of 3 areas: the archaeological site, perched on a cliff overlooking the aqua-blue Caribbean waters; the hotel zone, with its white sand beaches and bohemian vibe; and the town or "pueblo," home to local modern day residents. The pyramid will be built in Tulum's pueblo and will consist of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, each with a piece of paper inside with a positive thought written on it by a visitor.

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For those who won't make it to Tulum this year, positive thoughts can be submitted using the official Facebook page, Pyramid of Positive Thinking 2012. The pyramid will be 40 feet high and 40 feet wide, and will be the home of up to 700,000 positive thoughts.

The artist, Xavier de Maria y Campos, hopes that "the cosmic energy will be encrypted in the sacred geometry of the pyramid, thus enabling these thoughts to become reality." The pyramid will be constructed on a metal frame. Layers of PET bottles will be alternated with layers of soil containing seeds that will eventually grow, covering the pyramid in foliage. In time, the metal frame will biodegrade and the pyramid of foliage will remain.

Submit your positive thoughts and contribute to the newest Mayan pyramid.

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Mr. Jerk Cancun Grill: Cancun's Favorite Jamaican Restaurant

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Kristin Busse

About Kristin Busse

Kristin Busse has lived in Cancun for 11 years and loves to spend time at Tulum.

Read more about Kristin Busse here.

Connect with Kristin via: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest


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