A tourist was having a bit too much fun at a Belizean archaeological site this weekend. Based on these pictures of the tourist drinking a beer and seemingly urinating at the site, an Institute of Archeology employee identified the site as Caracol in Cayo. The pictures have been circulating on social media and many have expressed their outrage at the blatant disrespect and desecration of the sacred Mayan site. Many on social media have weighed in saying the matter must be thoroughly investigated and the tourist as well as the tour guide, if he was present, must be sanctioned. Well, today NICH Communications officer Neil Hall stated that they are still trying to get more information in this case but stressed that the tourists’ actions are utterly intolerable.
Neil Hall - Communications and Marketing, NICH
"We are aware of the incidents that happened at one of the archaeological sites over the weekend where a gentleman was seen drinking and was seen posting on Facebook his drinking and then seeming to urinate on the grounds of one of our archaeological sites. We are thoroughly disheartened by this action simply because of the high esteem with which we hold our archaeological sites here in Belize. In terms of the drinking, it is something that is not allowed at the site and that is for two main reasons, one intoxication at the site itself, we all know those usually have some steep stairs and if someone is intoxicated going up or down could be hazardous not only to themselves but have an avalanche effect and affect others as well and two because alcoholic beverages are sold in glass bottles and if those are broken or discarded at the sites, it can also cause harm or damage to people who are just there to enjoy themselves. With regard to the urination we found that especially deplorable, we are a bit more appeased that the person has given a very thorough apology saying his really and truly sorry and it is not something that he gave much thought to. Now in regard to that, we are looking at how the Institute of Archaeology through NICH, we are looking at ways of reprimanding this gentleman. We have just not sat down and thought of something as yet."
Courtney Weatherburne
"Obviously no liquor is sold at or near the site."
Neil Hall
"We do not sell alcoholic beverages at the site, the only thing that is allowed are souvenir wines that are sold in bottles and are usually sold on the way out."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So you can’t walk in or enter the archaeological site with liquor, how was he able to pass that into the site?"
Neil Hall
"It is not allowed, what happens is that we don’t really stop and check everybody inside everybody’s bags, in the case of tour guides, they usually let their passengers know and their guests know that they can’t take alcoholic beverages into the archaeological site. In this case we are not sure where the fault lies whether the person was just a walk through who had it in his bag at the time and just managed to go through without it being checked. We are looking at that as well."
As you heard, the tourist has issued a public apology on facebook. NICH sent us a copy and it reads : “I absolutely beg your forgiveness. I meant no disrespect. This was not supposed to be a bad or mocking thing. I apologize with my entire heart. I am so sorry. I come to Belize every year. We love the Mayan culture we love the history we love everything about it. I am sorry I meant no disrespect and my actions were foolish.†We will keep following this story.
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