Mexico Mini Pot Project
The idea to leave a small pot with a poem and my email address came from my perpetual urge to leave something behind, as a message to the great “anyone”. Like Kilgore, the pots have a quirky appeal, but they probably appear a little more serious, with the rolled scroll of Kabir’s “The Pottery Jug” inside. Perhaps not many people will take the pot, thinking it is a prayer left in silent appeal. But I like that ambiguity, and the gesture of possibility. So far, there has been one response: “Good Morning, Taboch gow”, from Belgium. Surprisingly, while I tried to remain nonchalant about the project, I found that it gave my days in Mexico a particular focus of appreciation and wonder.
Friday March 11, 8:30pm. Hotel Maria De La Luz in Valladolid, on the Parque Principal. After a dinner of Mayan chicken in banana leaves.
Saturday March 12, 5pm. El Castillo, Chichen Itza. Left in a niche at the very top, facing east. Immediately after leaving the pot, a woman picked it up and exclaimed “A pot!” She then returned it.
Sunday March 13, 4:45pm. Iglesia, Coba. Could only climb half way, due to severe erosion. “The church” was built to the rain God and is still used in Mayan ceremony. Covered with iguanas.
Monday March 14, 9:45 am. Nohoch Mul, Coba, 42 meters. Left at the very top, beneath a Diving God carving. This pot was was also picked up, examined and returned to its ledge while I was climbing down.
Tuesday March 15, 1pm. Temple of the Winds, shrine to Kukulcan, Tulum. The only Mayan ruin built on the ocean. Later I swam at the base of the cliff.
Thursday, March 17, 5:30pm. Copal, Tulum. Left a pot in a huge piece of limestone on the beach. By Sunday the pot was gone.
Friday, March 18, 4:30pm. Casa De Los Pajaros, Xel-Ha. Only recently excavated, with many more unexcavated sites in the group. Found a pot sherd!
Saturday, March 19, 2:30 pm. Diamante K Beach Resort, Tulum, after a lunch of rice and fried plantains. Left at the ocean beside a small iguana who peered out at me from her little cave.
Sunday, March 20, 2:30pm. Left a pot at the village school, after returning from the Reserva del Mono Arana, a wildlife preserve north of Coba. Saw Spider and Howler monkeys in family groups.
Monday, March 21, 6:30 am, Vernal Equinox. Copal, Tulum. The final pot, left on our door step.
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