Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, México (May 6, 2026)
Today, we learned that there is an “updated” or “modern” wonders of the world list. There’s still seven, but it appears they are different from the original “7 wonders of the world” list. So be it. Times are changing, why should the original list be stagnate?
According to SCALA, in a “…highly successful global public competition which was initiated by a private Swiss company during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Over 150 sites and monumental structures were considered, and the final selection, reviewed by a panel of esteemed experts (including former UNESCO president Federico Mayor), was revealed on July 7, 2007”.
Here are the 7 modern wonders of the world:
Great Wall of China (China): Built between the 5th century B.C. and the 16th century, this immense wall spans thousands of miles to protect against invasions.
Petra (Jordan): An ancient city in southern Jordan carved directly into vibrant red sandstone cliff faces, notably the Al-Khazneh (Treasury).
The Colosseum (Italy): Located in Rome, this massive amphitheater was built in the 1st century AD and held 50,000 spectators for public spectacles.
Chichén Itzá (Mexico): A major Mayan city featuring the impressive El Castillo pyramid, demonstrating advanced astronomical and mathematical knowledge.
Machu Picchu (Peru): A 15th-century Incan city located high in the Andes Mountains, often called the "Lost City of the Incas".
Christ the Redeemer (Brazil): A massive Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, completed in 1931.
Taj Mahal (India): An ivory-white marble mausoleum in Agra, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Will took this picture of me because a selfie didn’t seem to cut it
Will and I were both in awe. But for somewhat different reasons. Eventually, Will said, “Dad, I feel like I’ve already been here. This is what the AcceleRacers modeled for the ancient ruins episode.” I gasped.
I know Will talks highly of this Hot Wheels show and has even roped in his friends in both High School and College (Hey Dennis!) to watch it with him. Elena and I exposed Will to this “kids show” when he was around 8 years old. Clearly it made a big impression on him. For reference, he showed me this YouTube clip highlighting the very scenes he was thinking of:
Yep. I see it now. Even the “knocked over columns” were used in the animation show as race cars are thrown into these columns. Here’s what I mean. The track in the show is modeled after this 7th Wonder of the modern world.
Columns the Mayans used to represent sacrificed warriors
Two cool things I learned about the El Castillo pyramid, is how our guide shared with us how they knew the Mayans had advanced astronomical and mathematical knowledge. He did his own demonstration. When we all clapped loudly together 3 times, the echo that came back was NOT our clapping, but an extremely unique bird call from a bird found only in (and the national bird of) Guatemala.
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) from Guatemala
So, cool, but what about the advanced astronomical knowledge. See photo number 2:
Magic on a full solar equinox … the pyramid comes alive!
At the bottom of the pyramid, are two giant snake heads. During the full solar equinox (like we just had recently), the sun casts a thin shadow that appears as the body of the snake slithering down from the top to the bottom until the head is attached and it looks like two giant serpents on either side of the stairs. Whoa!
So the shadow cast by the solar eclipse is incredible precision. Can you imagine even attempting something like this? First, you’d have to imagine it. Then build it. Then wait to see if it actually worked as you had imagined. Now that’s some seriously advanced math and astronomical knowledge you can measure yourself!
Will using an obsidian solar disk to look directly at the sun!
I loved this too. The Mayans discovered that you could use obsidian to look directly at the sun. The dark volcanic glass protects your eyes while allowing you to stare directly into the sun in all its magnificence. This is especially important if you are worshiping a sun god.
Speaking of Staring at the Sun, if you haven’t read this book about overcoming the terror of death, I HIGHLY recommend it:
Irvin is 94 years old & very much alive. He was 82 when he wrote this!
While Will was staring at the sun, I couldn’t help but think about me staring at my son as he stares at the sun and then a flood of memories from Irvin Yalom’s book, Staring at the Sun, came flooding in. I don’t have a persistent fear of death, but at 53 I’ve begun thinking about it more than when I was in my 40s or 30s. I rarely considered anything to do with my own death in my 20s or younger.
Recognizing life’s impermanence is truly a gift. This book really helped me sit with life’s impermanence and reflect on the important questions at the end of this book. Watching Will stare at the sun brought so much of this book back to me in this moment.
Death ball! The winner of this Mayan game is sacrificed … willingly!
The Mayan ball game is most commonly known as Pok-ta-pok (or Pok-a-Tok). It was also known as pitz in Classical Mayan. I call it Death Ball. Can you imagine training to be the best athlete at a ball game where the greatest honor is for you, as the winner, to be sacrificed to the gods?
Talk about a different time and different set of priorities. I joked to Will that if I lived in this time, I’d strive to be the second greatest player of this game. Just barely losing so that I would live another day. Always a contender, never the best of the best. And yet, the winner was carved in stone and celebrated as the truly greatest of the great. Still, I’ll pass on this one. I love my life and want as much time as I’m allowed.
Speaking of death, here’s where the Mayan Virgins were sacrificed
There was a lot of death and sacrifice in the Mayan culture. Giving so much to the gods to appease them was a way of life. It was a real bummer for other civilizations that were invaded by the Mayans as they would use their foes for sacrifice so they could minimize killing too many of their own people. But let’s end on a positive note.
Palm trees and ruins. This is SO Elena’s vibe. Wish my wife was here!
Will and I agree that of all the places we’ve been so far, this is the one Elena would absolutely love. When people think of Cancun, most think of all-inclusive resorts that isolate you from everything but the ocean and weather here in Cancun.
It takes real effort to leave a resort you’ve invested heavily up front to come and stay. Your food, drinks and “everything you need” are provided as part of an upfront price you’ve already paid. I’m so glad Will and I did this differently. Staying “off strip” has encouraged us to really lean into Cancun outside all the all-inclusive resorts. Today, in particular, was a great example of this.
How often do you get to see iguanas in the wild? Like REAL close too!
I’d feel remiss without at least mentioning the incredible souvenirs being sold here. And a nod to the full integration with nature. So many beautiful trees that not only provide shade, but add to the richness of this space. I love all the trees, art and culture that can be found here. Truly magnificent day.
