What Would You Call the Five Greatest Wonders of the World?

When one thinks of some of the greatest places in the world, usually five fantastic, unfathomable things come to mind: the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge in England, the Great Pyramids of Giza, Manchu Picchu in Peru, and Tikal in Guatemala. Perhaps they have reached their fame because we stand in awe of the majesty. We are unable to grasp why they were truly built and what purpose they served. Their construction reasons are so far outside of we value in the modern world.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall, which is usually viewed by tourist at the Badaling (eight towers) section lies directly outside of northern Beijing, was started in the 8^th century B.C.E. for protection and defense against the Mongols, those whom live in the neighboring northern-most country above China. It is one of the great wonders of the world that has survived, and according to astronaut William Pogue, and it is visible from outer space. The true wonder of it all is how it climbs the mountains and always travels with you as you drive your way through northern China. A must-see!

Stonehenge in England

One of the most known prehistoric sites in the world, which is said to have been constructed around 2200 B.C.E. As you drive south on the interstate you would never expect to look to the left and see Stonehenge sitting parallel to the road in all of her glory. The majority of people say that it is a calendar, or at least, that is what our westernized reasoning tells us.

There are modern thinkers however, that believe that Stonehenge is the mother vagina which is fertilized by mother earth's penis, that is to say the direct alignment of rocks with the sun beams that are released during the two solaces. This is an interesting study that basically explains how Stonehenge is nothing more than a system that was used to tell people when the ground was fertile enough to begin the harvest season. Go and make your own deduction!

Great Pyramids of Giza

When we think of the Pyramids we stop, and we ponder. We are mused by the idea of such a great work of art.

When you see pictures of the Pyramids Aladdin and the desert toward the distant Middle East usually come to mind. However, the truth is Giza borders Cairo, and on one side of the Pyramids there is simply an open desert; a desert where you can take a horse-ride and venture into the far unknown. On the opposite side one can see a Pizza Hut and a KFC. That's right, that you modernization!

Built in the 25^th century B.C.E. during the Old Kingdom, this complex is all that remains of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. There are three major pyramids for the pharaohs, but realistically speaking there are 11 pyramids in total (the other eight were for the wives of the pharaohs). Interestingly enough it has been discovered that they are not in a straight line because they are perfectly aligned with Orion's Belt. A mind boggling sight that you must see!

Manchu Picchu in Peru

Manchu Picchu is a complex of Incan Ruins that lies right outside of Cuzco. It was deemed a World Heritage Site in 1983, and is one of the few sites that are known on a grand scale as Incan. We can only fathom what it must have been in its glory. It's a place as impressive as they come; with temples and monuments are distinctly places upon a rigorously steep mountain. This pre-Colombian site is the gem of Peru and is on my list of the places that I have to go!

Tikal in Guatemala

The jungle? Howler Monkeys? These aren't common things that we assume we will find in Central America. In fact, when Americans think of Central America we think: Oh, that place in Mexico? In Guatemala, the country right under Mexico, there are many untold treasures. One of these was the location of the filming of the first Star Wars (IV). That's right - Tikal Guatemala.

These Mayan ruins keep within Flores, the northern most department of Guatemala, and the city complex is huge with multiple temples and astounding edifices. The Mayan vicinity was built around the 4^th century B.C.E., and while we understand what it is, we realize everyday there is so much knowledge we are lacking about these mystic "mud" people.

I've visited all of these sites, with the exception of Manchu Picchu. They are such phenomena. Everyone simple stares wondering...How? Why? And, what will we leave behind of this caliber?