Mérida, the
vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, has a rich Mayan and colonial
heritage and has moved near the top of our favorite places visited. It is the
region’s cultural heartbeat. We took the ferry to Cancun, rented a car and
drove about 200 miles on the toll road stopping at Valladolid for lunch -
another town we greatly enjoy.
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| Valladolid |
In Mérida, “the
safest city in North America”, colorful pastels blend with historic charm along
streets that seem to always lead to a plaza. The locals in Mérida are
very friendly, the food is delicious, and there are free musical events
nightly. For us, the highlights were: Plaza de la Independencia, bordered by
the fortress like Mérida Cathedral and white limestone colonial-era churches
built using relics from ancient Mayan temples. Richard loved sitting in the
park, wearing his newly purchased Panama hat, and people-watching.
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| Grand Plaza Mérida, Mexico |
Richard was in
need of a haircut and so we stopped at a barbershop. He was given a great
haircut that set him back about $2.50 USD.
While this may seem inexpensive, it is twice the cost of a good Mexican
beer.
Las Vigas is a
restaurant hidden up a stairway in the Los Arcos Hotel where most meals are
delicious and less than 60 pesos ($3 USD). We all declared their mole the best
we’d ever tasted. Ever!!
We opted to stay
up past our bedtimes and venture to the “Evening Yucatan Serenade” in Sta.
Lucia Plaza commencing at 9:00PM. This traditional and free open-air concert
features Yucatan dress, music, and dancing. Kay and John had to sample a
marquesita at one of the street stands. The traditional toppings are queso
(cheese) and caveat (caramel syrup made from goat’s milk) but the Nutella
filled ones were too hard to resist. Yummy and a bargain at 30 pesos ($1.35
USD).
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| Streets of Mérida |
The Santa Ana neighborhood
is the Soho of Merida and home to several art galleries. Our favorite,
Galeria Nahualli, is the gallery and home of Abel Vazquez and Melva Medina who
create the most beautiful paintings, sketches, and sculptures. Melva was
lovely and welcoming and Kay could easily have found something to display in
every room of our nonexistent house.
Mérida is filled
with locally made handicrafts and we visited two Mayan Art Cooperatives
featuring products like embroidery blouses from Oaxaca, carved masks, silver
jewelry made with jade, amber, & obsidian, and lots of brightly colored
hammocks and table runners. Our haggling skills are amateur at best and the
shopkeepers are wily but we are happy with the carved Mayan mask and Panama hat
we came back with.
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| Galeria Nahualli |
On the return trip to Cancun we opted to take the free (libra) road
instead of the toll (cuota) road which gave us the opportunity to pass through
a number of small villages and towns - real Mexico. It was a fabulous 3
days! Once back in Cancun, we found our
way back to Isla Mujeres and Atalanta where we found our floating home waiting
for us.
Thanks for following our adventures.
Richard and Kay
PS: Murray enjoyed the trip as well.
More Pics from Mérida
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| Richard becoming beautiful |
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| Street Art in Mérida |
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| The Cathedral in Mérida |
