Money Ball

click to enlarge

 I had to post something special for the www.illustrationfriday.com theme travel this week.  So, I went excavating in my attic. I found an ancient artifact that will pair perfectly with my travel photos...

 I sketched the above ode-to-money-and-glam in high school. There really is no doubt that it was done in the 80's. I mean, look at those puffy sleeves! They match the puffy poodle. Obviously, it is all about the almighty dollar: a silver spoon and a Franklin, fast cars and champagne flutes. Thanks to Mom for giving me some green to copy like a forger. I wonder if I got to keep it?  

Flash forward to 2013 when my husband and I were heading to the Mayan ruins of Caracol, Belize, located in the middle of remote jungle. A logger stumbled across Caracol in 1937. But it dates back to 1200 B.C. An ancient city with 100,000 ghosts.

The main structure of Caana is still the tallest structure in Belize.  

Money!  

I told you there was a connection.  My new goal is to photograph local currency on all our trips. Caana has to be the best spot in Belize for a moneyshot.

This is the second structure located on top of Caana - that's why it's so tall. You can see miles of jungle from the top.

This photo was taken from the top overlooking two smaller structures on each side.

Someone caught me.

The mandatory foot photo. Or in this case: feet. It was taken from the top of the first level.

This money is from Costa Rica.  You can see both sides when you hold it up to the light.  This was my first money shot.  Now my goal is to take these photos on all our trips.  Bring them on...

P.S.  For more on Caracol visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracol  And if you have any friends interested in Mayan ruins pass on this post to them. We are also lucky to have an ancient Maya exhibit at our local Science Museum.  It will take a lot less money to see that!