Art in a Pandemic -- "The Toilet Paper Story" Exhbiit at Galeria El Zapote by Manuel Taure

Recently, two friends and I visited the Galeria El Zapote to see Manuel Taure's exhibition "The Toilet Paper Story."

 

We were greeted by the Galeria owners. The Galeria is located in the front rooms of a large, beautifully renovated colonial home.

 

What I appreciated most about the exhibit was Taure's determination to produce art for viewing during a pandemic.

 

As more Mérida businesses begin to open gradually with COVID19 precautions in place, artists are struggling to find their audiences.

 

Taure uses a variety of methods to reach out to his audience. He sends out announcements to a diverse collection of businesses, galleries and people to generate interest in art.

The Galeria El Zapote was impressed with his efforts. So, they installed Taure's exhibit, "The Toilet Paper Story."

 

"The Toilet Paper Story" covers the timeframe from the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic to now. It captures with scenes and images the precautions people were advised to follow, how our language has changed to include words like: curfew, alerts, quarantine and online, and how we were affected and how we have adapted.

Personally, the theme of the exhibit brought up memories of toilet paper shortages, fights in grocery stores over toilet paper and more at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. So, his artwork caught my attention.

 

Within the exhibit, Taure tells nine stories printed on strips of toilet paper.

The stories captured in over 50 images, tell how life has changed for many during the pandemic in delicate woodcut designs.

 

How are we surviving? How are vendors adapting to prescribed precautions?

 

Get out and enjoy art, again.

 

Consider making an appointment to see Galeria El Zapote exhibits. It's like getting a private showing.

Support our community, support our artists.

Apoya a nuestra comunidad, apoya a nuestros artistas.

 

 

"The Toilet Paper Story" exhibit runs

until March 29, 2021 at:

Galeria

El Zapote

C. 57 #545-A x 68 y 66

Centro

Mérida, Yucatán, México

galeriaelzapote@gmail.com

 

Email El Zapote to make an appointment to view

"The Toilet Paper Story."

 

Manuel Taure is a designer, printmaker, and illustrator.

 

 

Resources:

 

Yucatan Today

Galeria El Zapote

https://yucatanmagazine.com/venue/galeria-el-zapote/

  

A New Batch of Vegetables - How Meals Will They Make?

I went to a local Expat market to get 1 cucumber and came home with 9 vegetables.

How many meals will they make?

Day One:

Quick pickles
Cucumber water with cucumber slices
Cucumber and Apple salad with yogurt
MW Baked potato topped with beans and cream cheese
Sliced up lime and froze for use in various drinks

Day Two:

Baked Apples
Vegetable Soup with potatoes
Sliced up Bell peppers and froze for future recipe

FYI: The cost for the 9 vegetables was $62MX. This was an Expat market, so I assume the prices are higher than at a local market.

$62MX = $3.30US (based on $18.77 exchange rate for 1$ on this day.)

I looked at an American Grocery flyer (I do not have a car, so I choose a store near my home that I can reach by bus) online and came up with this cost comparison:

Apples $1.79 - 2.49 a pound
Potatoes $3.50 for a 24oz bag or 3.99 for a 5lb bag
Peppers and/or Cucumbers 3 for $5
.10 or .25 for a lime, a Key lime or a Persian Lime

Estimated cost:

1.79 - 2.49 Apples
1.25 Potatoes
5.00 Peppers and Cucumbers
0.10 Lime
--------
$8.14 - $8.84US

Om Shanti Om -- Yoga Your Way with Kate Barron

Ohm
Shanti
Yoga

  Yoga Your Way

with Kate Barron

Merida, Mexico

Yoga therapy applies yoga principles and techniques to
specific pain, conditions, imbalance and post surgery
physical recovery. This type of yoga targets specific areas to
help people in various ways such as back pain relief,
mobility in post operation scenarios etc.

Restorative Yoga or Deep Stretch
This type of yoga is for those people wanting to learn
simple relaxing and yet toning poses/asanas, techniques to
reduce stress, muscle tension from the body, address and
promote healthy sleeping patterns.

Vinyasa Yoga
A fluid fast flowing or softer movement yoga which
synchronizes the poses/asanas drawing on the breath to
maintain poses. There’s an element of cardio to this type of
yoga which makes it suitable as part of a fitness program.

Benefits:
Increases core strength & muscle tone
Lower blood pressure
Improves digestion, circulation & immunity
Provides pain & tension relief
Increases mobility, balance, posture & flexibility
Improves self-acceptance, concentration & memory
Classes tailored to
Meet Participants’ real needs.
Yoga for couples
Individuals/private sessions
Small group

Instructor Kate Barron Bio
My passion is the ancient art and philosophy of yoga, with
its use of graceful poses to achieve deep spiritual insight,
tranquility, strength and flexibility.

I have led yoga classes and meditation in Italy, Thailand,
Africa and Mexico for over 10 years.

Certificates/Licenses:
Fully licensed yoga instructor with formal training in:
• Meditation and training, Kenya, Africa, 2009.
• Meditation and training, Tulum, Mexico, 2010.
• Meditation and training, Southern Thailand.
• Pranayama techniques for stress management,
Rome, Italy.

 All ability levels are welcome,

Inquire at your hotel to arrange a class.

Contact Information

barron.kate@yahoo.com

Grocery Shopping as an Adventure

Grocery Shopping as an Adventure

In the past, going to the grocery store was just an errand squeezed in during a busy work week. Grab what you need and go.

But, three changes occurred in my life that altered my perspective on grocery shopping.

First, I got the Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyzcyn, and learned to use a "price book.” Also, I limited my grocery shopping to one day a month and learned to cook some basic recipes like the Universal Casserole, Cuban Bread, various "baked" potato toppings and more. The recipes replaced my usual potato chips and PB&J dinners, and the microwave frozen dinners I took to work for lunch.

The second change was when I moved back home to live with my elderly mother. She had stopped cooking, so I learned to make Reuben sandwiches, dump cake, grilled cheese sandwiches, crock pot dishes and more, always attempting to make dishes my mom would like. The crock pot made me look like a good cook. They are amazing.

At that time, I went to a day-old bakery for breads and sweets, an Asian market for eggs and other items, and a grocery store with lower prices for the rest. When I went grocery shopping, it was a break from work and some time alone, where I explored each aisle looking for bargains, examining new products and thinking about what mom would like.

The third change came years later. I traveled to Mexico and wrote a cookbook for noncooks. Now, I continue to research and try “new” recipes.

So, when I go grocery shopping now, still approximately once a month, it is like a mini-escape from the world where I still explore the aisles and ponder ideas like 'how did this can of Heinz potatoes get here?'

Maybe it was trucked from a farm in the U.S. to a canning factory, then trucked to a U.S. shipping port, then moved by ship to Mexico, then trucked to a distribution center and finally trucked to individual stores? Most of the food in grocery stores, around the world, travels thousands of miles from farms to stores.

I love the Ad Council's media spot on The Life and Times of Strawberry which highlights some of the rigors of food transportation and distribution.

Among expats here, there is a saying, “If you see a product you like, buy several because it may not be there next time.” So, when I see canned chicken, I buy several because it may only be on the shelves for a short time and not replaced for many many months.

When I first came to Mexico, the contents of the shelves in grocery stores were puzzling. I remember being amazed at the rows and rows of canned corn.

I wondered, “What do they do with all this corn?” I don’t have the final answer but I am living in the land of corn. It is worshipped and is part of Mayan mythology and many Mexican recipes feature corn.
 
Also, I saw lots and lots of hotdogs of various brands and types. I still don’t know what they use all these hotdogs for, there is a snack made from fried hotdog slices, street vendors do sell grilled hotdogs, and hotdog slices can be found in several recipes in restaurants. But, I never hear the term “backyard barbecue.” I have never been invited to a Mexican barbecue. Hamburgers are becoming popular but that does not explain all those hotdogs.

As I push my cart up and down the aisles, I still think of mom and often buy products she would have liked, like sauerkraut for Reuben sandwiches.

Mom was a great cook. Nothing I make compares to her dishes. I remember she was always trying new recipes and hated it when we kids turned up our noses at some new dish when we wanted "pigs in a blanket" (hot dogs with cheese wrapped in bacon).
 
American, British, Japanese, and food products from around the world can be found on many aisles these days.

I like Earl Grey tea from Bigelow (another item I buy several of if I see it).

Also, I am always amused when I see the familiar, famous Kraft blue box of Mac & Cheese.At one time, this was a mainstay meal for me. But, now, I can make my own "Mac & Cheese" from scratch in a variety of ways.

When I go grocery shopping, I also like to discover new items like this one: “powdered butter." I found it on my last trip. I've never seen this before. I used it. It does taste like butter, hummm.

I remember when a recipe called for descented onion juice. I thought, 'why bother'? But, powdered butter could be useful.

This spice is made by McCormick.

McCormick like Heinz and other American brands can be found more frequently in “high-end” grocery stores.

I am intrigued by the penetration of U.S. products into the Mexican market.

Coca Cola has been here for decades. It was one of first things I noticed. You could see the battle between Coca Cola and Pepsi played out in the economica cocinas.

These cafes carry either Coca Cola or Pepsi products and for their patronage, the soda companies provided lots of plastic tables and chairs emblazoned with their logo, so when you scan the landscape, you see Coca Cola won the war by the number of Coca Cola tables and chairs versus Pepsi's.

Hurray! On my recent trip to the grocery store, I finally found “Wagon Wheels” or Rotelle pasta for the Star Trek Cookbook recipe, Garrett Wang’s Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.

 I have been looking for “Wagon Wheels” for at least a year.

Hotplate: Wagon Wheel Pasta with Chicken, Spinach & DIY Pesto

Updated 12/22/19
Made minor edits to clarify process.

I peruse my Star Trek Cookbook often and have made several recipes from the cookbook. There are two things, I think many cookbook authors miss, adding humor and personal stories. It's just fun reading this cookbook.

  One recipe I have been waiting a long time to make is Garrett Wang's Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. I spent months looking for "Rotelle" pasta (wagon wheel pasta). Then, Hurray! I found some bags of small wagon wheel pasta, called "Engrane" in Mexico.

Looking at this recipe, now, my eyes roll.

I am not going to be making this recipe as it is stated in the Star Trek Cookbook, gotta adapt it to what I have and also make it GERD-friendly.

Plus, I wonder, how can spinach be a substitute for pasta as the recipe suggests?

Oh no, I forgot the recipe called for pesto. So, I desperately searched for an easy DIY pesto recipe.

Luckily, I found one at RecipeTinEats! Now, I don't have a blender, so I am not sure what to call the mixture I made, maybe "Almost Pesto Sauce." Now, that I think about it, I should have just stirred the mixture more furiously.

Even though I have been trying to learn how to cook for years now, I am still uncomfortable with many of the ingredients and processes.

While this recipe states the process in a logical order, I was bouncing all over the kitchen because I would forget one step before I started another. Or the pasta boiled over. Or I almost ran out of tablespoons. Or I ran out of space to put things. I felt a little like Neelix (Ethan Phillips) when he runs around Voyager's kitchen cooking up a storm for the crew with various pots boiling, frying, and steaming.

The sink is full of all the dishes, cups, bowls, spoons, pots and pans I used. While I am exhausted, I know IF I make this recipe again, it will go easier.



Hotplate: Wagon Wheel Pasta with Chicken, Spinach & DIY Pesto
(Adapted from: Star Trek Cookbook, Garrett Wang “Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes”)

Note: While this dish is cooked on a hotplate, it is served cold.


Ingredients:

2 Cups Frozen spinach
1-2 Cups water
1 dab of olive oil
1 Tomato bouillon cube
1 200g (7 oz) Engrane (tiny wagon wheel pasta)
2 TBspns olive oil (Sorry I do not ask my olive oil about their sex lives.)
1 350g (12.3 oz) Can of Chicken, drained
1/2 Tspn garlic powder
A few grinds of Ground black pepper
S/P to taste
Sauce: 3 TBspns Pesto sauce, store bought or DIY (See DIY Pesto Recipe Post)
Garnish: Parmesan cheese and extra olive oil (optional)

(Some Ingredients shown are for the DIY Pesto)

 
Pre-Preparations:

Cook Spinach:

Add frozen spinach to a 2-cup container.
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.
Remove, drain, and set aside.


Make Tomato Stock:

Add cube of tomato bouillon to 2 cups of water.
Microwave water 2-3 minutes on high to bring to a boil.
Remove and stir to make sure bouillon has dissolved.


Make Pasta:

Put pasta into a large pot, cover with tomato stock.
Add a dab of olive oil.
Stir.
Bring to a boil.
Stir.
Add salt if desired.
Stir.
Cover.
Boil about 5-8 minutes.
Watch the pot, it may boil over.
Check pasta to see if is done. It is done, if it is still a bit firm and you can bite it easily (al dente).
Drain pasta, reserve some of the pasta liquid, and set aside.


Process:

In a skillet, add a dab of olive oil and garlic powder.
Cook on medium heat.
Stir and mix oil and powder.
Add chicken.
Add spinach.
Stir thoroughly.
Cook on medium heat until mixture is hot throughout.
Add a little pasta water if the mixture is too dry.
Add mixture to pasta in pot.
Stir mixture thoroughly.
Pour mixture into a large bowl.
Add pesto sauce.
Stir thoroughly.
Cover bowl and place in frig.
Wait until mixture is chilled throughout.
When serving, garnish with Parmesan cheese and additional olive oil, if desired.

I forgot how much pasta 1 small bag makes. I have to figure out how to halve this recipe.

 Note: While I really like the flavor the tomato bouillon adds, I keep forgetting bouillon cubes add quite a bit of salt and spice to any dish.

 #GERD-friendly - if you reduce the garlic powder to just a hint.

Mexican Carry-Out: Tamales

Mexican Carry-Out: Tamales

I love these tamales. There's a vendor nearby and they offer chicken or carne tamales with red or green salsa sauces.

For $10pesos each, two tamales for $20 is a bargain.

I love opening the tamales because they are wrapped and cooked in huge banana leaves, so when you slowly and carefully unwrap the hot tamales the aroma fills the air.

Recetas de Una Mujer Maya Moderna Delivery to Mexico

Recetas de Una Mujer Maya Moderna Delivery

Shipping to and from Mexico

I am using this situation to illustrate some of the difficulties in receiving or sending packages internationally to or from Mexico.

I have used Amazon and received about half of my orders. So, I no longer have my orders shipped to Mexico, they are shipped to my U.S. address. 

On 3/13/19, I ordered two copies of Recetas de Una Mujer Maya, a small cookbook, from Blurb/MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com/). One was shipped to a U.S. address, the other to Mexico.

The U.S. delivery was received on 3/16/2019 and the book arrived in good condition.

In regards to my copy of Recetas de Una Mujer Maya Moderna, Blurb/MagCloud used the U.S. Postal Service to ship the package.

According to Blurb/MagCloud's tracking function, the package did arrive in Mexico but I never received it. Plus, I could never find a way to locate the package through the Mexican Post Office, Correos de Mexico.

I contacted Blurb/MagCloud via email on 7/12/2019. They shipped me another copy via UPS and I received it on 7/24/2019. It arrived in good condition.

I have used Fedex for many years and have had numerous issues with deliveries and shipments in Mexico. While I have received all my packages, most get held up at a customs office where I have to go and have them examine the contents.

This month Fedex held up a package and did not notify me. I only discovered the problem after contacting the recipient to find they had not received the package.

After using Fedex's tracking function which gave me no useful information. I had to contact the Fedex help number three times. One, to find out where the package went and two, to find out why it was never shipped. The situation got so complicated, I had to take the package with me to the states and have it sent from there.
It is important to learn the intricacies of sending and receiving packages in Mexico. Things are always changing.

Fedex Mexico - https://www.fedex.com/es-mx/customer-support.html

Correo Mexico - https://www.correosdemexico.com.mx/Paginas/Inicio.aspx

UPS - https://www.ups.com/mx/es/Home.page

Getting Back to my Tightwad Roots

Time to get back to my Tightwad Gazette roots.

I have drifted away from making choices to save money.
A core Tightwad Gazette (TWG) method for saving money when shopping for groceries is to buy items for less by choosing substitutes for expensive items, by buying items on sale including buying extras for the pantry, and by being creative. Saving pesos add up.

On a recent trip to a local grocery store, I picked up a few items but I tried to make TWG choices.

Vegetable Oil

I am going to try switching from olive oil to canola oil because olive oil is expensive.

Olive oil, 750ml $115.00
.153 ml

Canola oil, 450ml $15.11
.033 ml

Savings: $0.12ml


Dry milk
 
Besides having dry milk for back up, I also use it to make liters of milk for everyday use.

1 360g Dry Milk pkg (deslactosado light) sale price $39.86
makes 2880ml, 1 Liter = 1000mL, package makes about 3 liters

1 liter of milk (deslactosado) approx. $18.00

1 liter dry mix = $13.29

Savings: $4.71


Powdered drink mixes

I had been drifting towards drinking fruit juices straight rather than as fruit coolers.

While I think fruit juices are healthier, an occasional powdered beverage is ok for me.

Common powdered drink mix flavors are:
Té Helado, Limón, Manzana, Coco, Mango, Fresa, Durazno, Uva, Arandana, Tamarindo, Piña Colado, Horchata, Jamaica, Naranja, Sandia, Piña, Guayaba, Mandarina, Melón, Guanabana

Unusual flavor: Áloe

My method for using a packet of powdered drink mix is to make a concentrate. Then, I use the concentrate to make a glass at a time.

1 pkg prices range from $3.35 - 4.10, 1 pkg makes 2 Liters liquid

In general, 1 liter of fruit juices range from $10.00 - 20.00

1 liter powdered beverage = $3.72 / 2 = $1.86

1 liter of fruit juice = an average price of $15.00

Savings: $13.14

I also plan to use the concentrates as flavoring in various recipes.


Sponges

1 pkg of 2 $11.00

I cut the sponges in half = 4 sponges.

Savings: $11.00

While comparing 2 large sponges with 4 small sponges is not an equal comparison, the cut sponges last just as long as the large sponges.


It was the TWG that spurred me to learn how to make meals at home for work lunches and more to save money.

While my original RKFNC cookbook contained several of the recipes I developed trying to follow TWG ideas and advice, I continue to try and expand my recipe repertoire.

Some other methods to save money available to most people:

Buy used clothes, books, kitchen utensils, furniture and more at thrift stores and yard sales.

Most of my clothes and books were purchased from thrift stores but here in MX, I have a harder time finding thrift stores. There are weekly flea markets in various locations and there are used furniture stores.

But, because it has been difficult to find what I need at these venues, like clothes, I priced clothes at various outlets. I found one where almost every item of clothing was under $50 pesos. I got several shirts and pants, and mix and match outfits.

Also, I found the best place to get cancletas (flip flops), at a low price.

But, it is funny, no matter what I purchase an item for, someone always says, “I got one cheaper than that.”

See post: 25 Small Ways to Save Money in Mexico, for more TWG ideas.

Partial List of Residencias Adultos Mayores (Senior Care Residences), Merida, Yucatan

The following is a partial list of residential facilities for seniors.
Adultos Mayores Residencias
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Information presented is based on visits in 2016 arranged by Adventures-Mexico (https://www.adventures-mexico.com/) to the following facilities. List is not inclusive. There are other private and governmental adultos mayores facilities and services in the Yucatan.

2016 costs range from $11,000 to 20,000MXN a month. Some facilities require a deposit. These costs are a guide and do not represent current costs.

Resident is responsible for several costs including wifi and cable, medical services and medicines, and other services.

Some require additional electricity fees during summer months.

List does not cover all information regarding facilities.

Most of the facilities have waiting lists.

Descriptions of what facilities may provide or not provide are only a guide. Changes in what facilities provide or do not provide may have changed.


1. Josefina Montes Molina
Hogar para Mujeres
C21 x 20 y 22
Mexico Oriente

Multi-story building includes an elevator.
Garden areas.
Community rooms.

Includes:
Private room
Linen
Housecleaning
Fitness room
Game room
Reception desk with mail service
First Aid

Does not include:
Laundry services, laundry machines in building
Wifi or Cable
Rooms are not furnished
Medical services or medicines


2. Golden Age Services
La Edad Dorado
C 30 #255 x 75 y 73
Colonia Montes de Ame
Merida, Yucatan 97115
https://www.goldenagemerida.com/

Lots of open and garden spaces.

Dr. Luis Martinez
999 199 1138
999 287 4073

Includes:
Accommodations, dormitory rooms, private with shared bathroom
3 meals, collations
Laundry
Game room
24 hour nursing assistant
Surveillance and medicine control
Physiotherapy/Occupational therapy
Air-conditioning
Low cost laboratory services
 
Does not Include:
Medical services and medicines


3. Mis Queridos Viejos
C 38 #125 x 29 y 31
Colonia Buenavista, Merida, Yucatan
Harold Esquiviel
http://www.misqueridosviejos.com/

999 927 9381

Private home

Includes:
shared accommodations
3 meals
Laundry
Room cleaning
Surveillance and medicine control
Doctor visit
Fans

Does not Include:
Special meal requirements
Medical services and medicines
No activities


4. Residencia Para Mayores “Casa Aurea, A.C.”
C 18 x 31 y 16
Colonia Mexico
Irma Martinez Gonzales
999 926 1183
999 366 8234
999 253 7966

Includes:
Accommodations, shared or private (Furnished or Unfurnished)
3 meals and 2 collations
Fan or Air conditioning
Private Bath
Bell for assistance
Nursing assistance
Excursions
Classes
Linen changes 2x a week

Does not Include:
Laundry services
Medical services and medicines


5. Refugio Mendoza
C 12 #249 x45
Colonia Leandro Valle, 97143
(Near Macroplaza)
http://www.residenciarefugiomendoza.com/

999 212 0626

Includes:
Accommodations, single or shared
3 meals, 2 collations
Nursing assistance
CCTV cameras
Bell for assistance
1 doctor visit a month

Does not Include:
Laundry
Medical services, medicines, doctor visits
Limited Fan and A/C use

My Favorite Mexican Meal - Salbutes

I like Toast Toppings because they remind me of Yucatán Salbutes.

I love salbutes. They are a mini-meal on a small deep-fried tortilla. While each vendor makes them a little differently, I like the ones made at Castillo at Parque Santa Ana in Centro.

They are the perfect meal. The deep-fried tortilla offers a little crunch. Toppings include a variety of items and flavors like Yucatán pickled onions, bits of tomato, avocado slices, shredded turkey, chicken or pork. Sometimes you will get lettuce. Add hot sauce to your taste. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salbute)

Salbutes are a satisfying meal. So far, the Toast Topping - Pseudo Huevos Florentine is one of my more satisfying meals.

1/12 Staycation: Casa del Balam

Staycation - Casa del Balam

Casa del Balam 
https://www.casadelbalam.com/ 
Calle 60 x 57 y 55 Centro
Mérida, Yucatán, México
01 99 99 24 21 50
info@casadelbalam.com

Prices: Moderate

Accessibility: Non-ADA accessible but has entrance ramp, elevator, and safety rails in the bathtub.

Amenities: 

• Independent restaurant services including dining room lobby level, room and pool service
• Free wifi
• Pool
• Boutique and Silver Shop
• Convenience Store
• Business Center
• XBox
• Massage services
• Babysitting services
• 24 on-call medical services
• Laundry services
• Tours and rental car service assistance
• Security safe (not in room)
• Free access to Yucatan Golf Club
• Wake-up calls and 24-hour desk service

Cautions: 

Watch where you walk, the sidewalks vary in condition and size, they are often cracked and uneven.

For those with walking difficulties, while there are ramps and elevators in the hotel, many tourist sites do not have elevators.

There are touts, people offering items for sale or trying to encourage you to visit their store, restaurant or tour services, on many Calles and corners. Just say, gracias, no gracias, if you are not interested in their items.

There are few trash receptacles.


Advisories: 

Bring an umbrella, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Always carry a bottle of water.

On Sundays, several streets are closed for bici-ruta and pedestrians. Rent a bike and take a ride.

Note: Tiendas' hours of operation will vary.


Casa del Balam is a large, multi-story, renovated colonial home of the Don Fernando Barbachano family with an interior patio-garden area and easy access to Calle 60, a main street in Merida. The hotel is just two blocks from Plaza Grande, the parque in historic centro. The hotel room had a bathtub, a rarity in Merida apartments and casas. Plus, it had hot water, another rarity in apartments and casas.

The independent restaurant, Bistro 57, adjoining the hotel offers a buffet breakfast on Sundays from 7am - noon.

This is what I wanted to experience, Centro at various times of day from various perspectives.

While all throughout Yucatan, there are hundreds of places to see and learn about Mexican history. You can get a lot of history around Plaza Grande parque.

The quickest way to get tons of tourist information is to go to the Palace Gobernor's office, Palacio Municipal on the North side of Plaza Grande, Calle 61 x 60 y 62 and visit the Tourist Information Office.

Get a copy of the Yucatán Today, a magazine for tourists with lots of information and maps or visit online at https://www.yucatantoday.com.mx .

Check Olimpo's calendar for weekly events like free movies or art exhibitions, located on West side of Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61 y 63.

As you walk around Plaza Grande, look for the pictogram street signs on buildings at the corner of intersecting streets.

Ladvovesita at Calle 60 x 61, Centro.
This is a replica of the original sign. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-corners-of-merida-merida-mexico
 
According to Atlas Obscura, these Calle signs were added to help people give directions and for the illiterate to navigate the city.

Around Plaza Grande, you can find familiar tiendas like 7-11, Subway or Burger King. Plus, there's Oxxo, the Corporate Mexican convenience store.

You can also find economica cocinas, I suggest trying Gorditas Bena Gorda or Las Quekas on the corner of Calle 61 x 60 across from the Cathederal.

I also recommend Cafeteria Pop on Calle 57 x 60 y 62. It has economical prices and a varied menu. I often go for my favorite meal, breakfast.

There are non-emergency medical services offered by Farmacias Similares on Plaza Grande, Calle 63 x 60 y 62.


Activities around Plaza Grande: 

City Walking Tour: Sign-up for tour at City Tourist Office at City Hall on the West side of Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61 y 63.

At the moment, there are three tourist offices around Plaza Grande, each one serves a different purpose.

On my city tour, the guide was bilingual in Spanish and English. His audience of about ten people, seniors, young people, and children, from around the world.

The guide lead us upstairs in the City Hall building to a terrace overlooking Plaza Grande. There he talked about the history of the Mayan and the founding of Mérida. He also explained the various stops along the tour: Casa de Montejo, MACAY, San Lidefonso Cathederal, ending at Parque Hildago across from Iglesia Tercera de la Orden. The tour took about an hour.

Mérida was founded upon the site of the older Mayan city 'Tho' in 1542 by the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco de Montejo and his son after suppressing and enslaving the Mayan through war, torture and abuse. They used the Catholic religion to criminalize Mayan religious beliefs, books and rituals.

Mérida's architecture reflects Spanish and French influences as seen in the use of arches and lattice ironwork on windows and doors.

Local lore says the name Yucatán is a Spanish corruption of Mayan words meaning I don't understand what you are saying.

The city Mérida is named after Merida, Spain which was named after a old Roman city.

As you learn more about Mérida, you will learn about the history of henequen, also called "Green Gold" or sisal that at one time, made Mérida one of the richest cities in México. Henequen is a rope-like material made from the Agave cactus plant (See picture below). Henequen was grown, harvested and processed on plantations around Mérida and the product was shipped around the world. Plantation owners built grand Haciendas on their plantations and mansions in the city, many along Paseo de Montejo.

Henequén, el oro verde en época prehispánica
(Source: https://www.gob.mx/firco/articulos/henequen-oro-verde-en-epoca-prehispanica?idiom=es)

Mayans worked the plantations and were treated as slaves. Often, they were fed and housed on the plantation and paid in script. They could only spend the script on the plantation.

http://www.travelmerida.com/henequen.php https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henequen_industry_in_Yucat%C3%A1n 

Casa de Montejo: Calle 63 x 60 y 62. Completed in 1549. Images on facade reflect roman mythological images like Hercules. Also, on the facade are images of Francisco Montejo, his wife, son and daughter according to the tour guide.

For more information, see: http://yucatantoday.com/museo-casa-montejo-2/ 

In 1542, the city of Mérida was only six blocks by eight blocks in size. Entrances to the city had arches built over calles. Only the Spanish lived in the city, Mayan workers had to get permission to enter. Later, other colonias like San Sebesian, and Santa Lucia were built for workers or slaves.

Macay Art Museum: Calle 60 x 61 y 63, is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. The walkway is always open where you can see the current sculpture displays.

San Lidefonso Cathedral: Calle 60 x 61 y 63. This is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Completed in 1598. For more information, see: http://yucatantoday.com/san-ildefonso-cathedral/?lang=en

Above the altar is a larger than life-size wood carving of Christ. It is the largest wooden interior figure of Christ measuring seven meters.

Iglesia Tercera de la Orden (across from Hildago Parque with statue of Manuel Cepeda Peraza) - When the Spanish ruled the Yucatan, they dismantled many Mayan temples and structures and used the limestone bricks and blocks to build their own churches and buildings. Many tour guides point out various limestone blocks in the wall of this church to illustrate this fact.

On Friday, after many hours of walking and visiting various sites, I returned to my room just in time to catch an episode of Star Trek - The Next Generation on the cable TV. That was lucky because Star Trek did not show on the SyFy channel again over the weekend. There were lots of channels, lots of children's shows, history and nature shows, plus the usual reality, sex and violence shows.

Outside my room on the third floor, I had a view of the patio garden and a seating area to enjoy a drink and write.

Then, I went for a swim. You can get a towel from the reception desk and sign for it. The pool is large and clean. I was able to swim "laps" and do some in-pool exercises.

Saturday morning, I had breakfast poolside. What a delight! Then, I took a swim before going out.

I spent most of Saturday visiting shops in the local mercados/markets:

Mercado San Benito
Exterior Calle 54 x 67 y 69 Centro
Monday - Saturday
7:30am to 6:00pm
Sunday
7:30am to 3:00pm

Mercado Lucas de Galvez
Calle 56-A x 65 y 67 Centro
Open 5:30am to 6:00pm

When you visit the mercados, it can take hours because the mercados are large and spread out over many blocks.

I was looking for another pair of cancelas (sandals/flip-flops). In order to find what you want, you need to visit several tiendas.

I found my canceltas in a tienda inside one of the large mercados with hundreds of stalls. I won't be able to find that stall again.

Cancelatas can vary in construction, shape, color and style. I was looking for cancaletas that were firm with a slight arch. Then, once you have found what you want, you have to see if they have it in your size. In Mexico, my cancelatas size is 29. While you are out, you will often have a "Mexican Day" where something interesting happens.

After a long interesting day, I came back for a rest and a swim.

I love books so of course, I visited Dante, a bookstore at Plaza Grande. Although most of the books are in Spanish, I still buy some now and then.


Other Activities and Places to Go:

Palacio of Musica: Calle 59 x 58 y 60 Centro.

City Night Tour: Pick up at Teatro Peon Contreras.

City Bus Tour: Catch a Turibus on Calle 60 next to Plaza Grande.
https://www.turibus.com.mx

City Museum: Calle 56 x 65 y 65-A, Centro.

For Foodies: Enjoy a city tour and a visit to the local market. Select items for your meal and go back to the Chef's casa and help make your lunch. Try Adventures-Mexico Tour, see:  https://www.adventures-mexico.com
 

Casa del Balam's staff was very attentive and helpful.

Great visit, my only regret was there was no coffee maker in the room. Plus, three days and two nights was not enough time to see all the things I had planned, so next time, I will stay four days and three nights.

Buen Dia (Good Day)



8/10/18 Update:

Because I did not have time to do some of the other activities I wanted to do while staying at Casa del Balam, I returned to historic Centro over the next week.

I got lucky. I attended an Astronomical presentation "The Invisible Border" in Olimpo's planetario. This was part of a series of presentations by the Sociedad Astronómica UADY.

Then, I caught a movie, Bull Durham, at Olimpo during their tribute to Susan Sarandon.

After the movie, I walked up Calle 60, the street had been closed for pedestrians. It was a delightful night. Clear skies, cool breezes and the streets were full of happy people, walking, eating in the impromptu "popup" cafes in the streets, a spill over from the nearby restaurants.

Artists had their displays out in parques.