Travesia Sagrada Maya : Los Elegidos

In an effort to preserve Mayan Traditions, Xcaret has hosted every year, for the past 12 years, The Sacred Mayan Journey. Each one has been special, however, La Travesia Sagrada Maya “Los Elegidos” 2018 came with a twist …

Before becoming one of the most popular attractions in the Riviera Maya, Xcaret (then known as Polé), was a trading port for the ancient Maya. Leaving the small inlet in hand-carved wood canoes, the Mayans traveled over 30 miles to the Island of Cozumel (ancient Kuzamil) to trade and worship Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of the moon and fertility. The main purpose of the journey was to bring offerings to Ixchel and receive her divine message to be shared with all the villagers.

The Travesia Sagrada Maya is not a race or a competition but a profound spiritual journey where the “canoeros” become family and depend on each other to make it safely back to land.

For the Mayas, the ever-changing ocean represented a primary food and transportation source as well as the entrance to Xibalbá. The sacred underworld of death and devastation, therefore, can only be entered by those brave at heart and with the utmost respect.

This year, over 300 “canoeros” trained for six long months for their life-changing journey. For some, it’s all about the challenge but for many of them, it has more to do with tradition, healing and even honoring a lost loved one.

So why was this 2018 Travesia different for me?

For one, it’s the first time that La Travesia Sagrada Maya had to change dates last minute due to extreme weather conditions.

It was also the first time in years that I was missing my #CanoEra, my brave sister, Era, who loved the ocean and had completed six Travesias Sagradas Mayas in years past. I remember waking up each year at around two in the morning to watch her leave Xcaret with a smile on her face and excitement in her eyes. I always cried as I watched her canoe disappear into the ocean because I knew how hard she had trained, how much it meant to her and how much she loved being part of this tradition. She always came back safely, exhausted, sunburnt but at the same time renewed and stronger.

Era passed away suddenly in May of 2018 and I believe it’s no coincidence that La Travesia Sagrada Maya “Los Elegidos” 2018 (elegidos meaning the chosen ones), was changed to fall on her birthday!

On June 2nd 2018, with a brave heart, my family and I boarded the Pacific Breeze Catamaran (thanks Alex, Adriana and Ana for the invite), with a large picture of Era smiling. Our mission was to give courage and accompany the canoes of La Travesia Sagrada Maya 2018 –  something my sister would have loved to do.

Overwhelmed with emotions, I witnessed over 30 canoeros stop mid-ocean to show respect and appreciation for their fellow “CanoEra”. Carrying one of her “remos” (oars), singing happy birthday (video on Facebook), cheering for her and tossing white, red and yellow petals in her honor is how we said goodbye to a true warrior.

It was a bitter-sweet journey but also a beautiful learning experience. Thanks, Era for being such a great example and thanks Xcaret for keeping this tradition alive.

To learn more about the Travesia Sagrada Maya visit: http://en.travesiasagradamaya.com.mx/faqs.php

FULL SLIDESHOW HERE: