IndoIan: Trip to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Emmerson and one of the lovely, tropically hued buildings on the Paseo Montejo.

Wow, Merida sure did impress. I did not even know Merida existed prior to Emmerson opting to do a study abroad in Mexico. Originally, the program she selected was in Mexico City. She would have been staying in a dorm situation at an international university in the city. DePaul transferred her to the program in Merida as the one in Mexico City required a higher level of Spanish proficiency than Emmerson had at the time. Actually, she had no official instruction other than the Spanish course she was taking at DePaul at that time. But she still wanted to go so glad the Merida option worked out. She would be staying in a homestay with Dona Marilu (who I now know is an absolutely lovely lady who has taken wonderful care of Emmerson) who has been a study abroad mom for over 20 years BUT does not speak a whole lot of English which is ideal for a student like Emmerson who could definitely benefit from an immersive experiencing as terrifying as it can be at times!

So that's the background of why Merida. It is the capital of the state of Yucatan, which is in the southern part of Mexico and makes up part of the Yucatan peninsula. The Yucatan Peninsula is where Cancun and Tulum are located, but in the state to the east of the state of Yucatan, which Merida is the capital city.

Again, I knew nothing of the city, which I actually like going into a trip, so I can experience it without any preconceived notions. It is one of the cleanest, well functioning, and overall delightful cities I have been to.

And here is a chronological visual journey of Emmerson and my time in Merida last weekend (Fabruary 12 - 15).

In the always a joy baggage check line at O'hare. I took the red eye Volaris flight. It left at midnight, transferred in Mexico City at 4 am which was a delight. I think Mexico city is like 294 in Chicago - perpetually under considerable construction. And then on to Merida. I rarely sleep on airplanes but slept a lot of the way so that was a swell surprise.

Arrived in Merida without issue, and then had an issue. I cleared immigration no problem, scurried thru the airport taxi official and then unofficial area as I planned to uber. Texted for uber and received a response. It said, "meet me on calle 32". I responded. "I don't know where calle 32 is". He canceled. So I checked my surroundings and realized there was not a whole lot of Uber action going on. I pulled up a map and found calle 32 and made my way there and tried uber again. The uber critter assured me there was a driver coming soon and I watched them on the uber map as they video gamed around but none committing. And then I heard back from the uber fellow who canceled with the interesting message "its federal land" as if that explained everything - but it actually did. They were not allowed to pick up within a certain radius of the airport. So I began wandering away until finally I got one to stop. This all took about 45 minutes. I went to the centro as Emmerson was in class until 1 pm and I figured I could sit and drink coffee and basically just do that for a while. Here I am in centro.

And the cafe on the centro plaza where I drank coffee and ate that fruit, which was quite nice.

Yayyyy! After a bit, I got another uber, without any excitement, who took me to UATY - University Autonomous Something beginning with a T Yucatan but all in Spanish. This is where Emmerson studies. So I texted her and after a few minutes, turned around and there she was!! Yaaayyyy!

It was Valentines Day season so I had Emmerson "pozu" which she did dutifully - they have learned from years of posing for my random pictures that protesting just prolongs the inevitable so just get it done. She did note that it was embarrassing as we were in the student hang out area and she had an audience.

Emmerson with the official UATY cat, Mordisco?? or something like that - the biter. He just basked on the table and passerbyes would say hi and pat it - part of the students experience. Sidenote - lots of cats in Merida - as it is definitely a street cat city not a street dog city - (check post from 20 years ago to get my take on this dog cat world reality ...). And Emmerson has taken to them very fondly.

It was carnival while I was there so different related festivities were taking place. Emmerson heard their was a child and pet parade in centro so we made our way there via bus. The bus system in the city is amazing. Merida is not a crowded city - so traffic is not bad at all. This enables public buses to be actually efficient - on time and reliable - unlike many more densely populated cities where buses have to join the traffic jams. They also had a new fleet of electric and hybrid buses which were comfy and pleasant. The parade consisted of different costumed neighborhood groups of children lead by a pickup truck with massive speakers blaring whatever song they were dancing to. And this group was followed by another truck blaring music with its gaggle of dancing children following behind and press repeat. We were there at least for a half hour and there was no end in site of the procession. Unfortunately - no pets.

Cool scene as the backdrop is the downtown campus of Emmerson's UATY university.

Fonding up another street cat. Most seem tended to and "live" near/in/around a store/restaurant/establishment which most likely does the tending to.

Passing time on Paseo Majeo (I forgot the actual name of this street and have already called it two things) one of the mainstreets leading in and out of centro. It was quite the contrast to centro - the old colonial center of the city - as the street is quite developed with broad sidewalks and lots of slick restaurants, cafes and stores sharing space with street vendors and taquerias. Nice place to stroll and stop for a nutella filled croissant and esspresso!

My favorite dining experience: Jefe de Jefe's!! All the food we ate was quite nice but this taqueria was not only delicious but just a cool place. They have all sorts of Mexican quick type of foods - buritos tortas etc but I think most known for their tacos and thats what we focused on. You select the type of meat from a list and corn or wheat tortillas and thats it! Condiments are placed on the table and the tacos follow soon after. I got horchata which I rarely get but always enjoy.

The cone of meat for the pastor tacos.

In front of Dona Marilu's house where Emmerson is staying. She's got a really nice setup. There is another boarder from a program thru Rice University staying as well and she and Emmerson have second floor to themselves. Each has their own room and they share a bathroom. Dona Marilu is in her 60's and has her mom living there with their live in caretaker. Emmerson gets her meals there - typically breakfast and dinner on their own/on the go but they often eat lunch all together.

In centro in one of the many squares in front of one of the cathedrals. Notice in these photos how clean it is!!

Same square.

Inside the cathedral. I believe this is the oldest in the city.

Merida is only about 20 miles or a 45 minute bus drive from the coast and the popular tourist town of Progresso. Here we are on our way. Just buy a ticket at the station and centro and your on your way!

5 Minute walk from the Progresso station to the beach. They have one of those set up where you claim a sunshade and chairs on the beach and then attenders come and you buy food and drink from them and the restaurant that is on that part of the beach. We spent a few hours there just relaxing. The water was bit chilly and not a lot to do in the water by oneself so spent most of the time relaxing on the beach.

Ha - I am still wearing the fit I had on in Chicago. It was not chilly by any means but felt good to be warm after the arctic blitz we've had in Chicago.

There we go - sun screen and shirt, seafood ceviche, and a fruiffy beverage - that's more like it. The ceviche was quite tasty.

They seem to like these style of city monograms.

Back in Merida at a cafe in centro whiling a way the time until ......

....... dinner! This was a neat place on one of the centro plaza's. It had a second floor and a few balcony nooks situated over the sidewalk below where we opted to sit.

Yucatan style braised pork with tortillas and a very nice pizza.

I opted to get an Airbnb close to where Emmerson lives. It was basically a bedroom with a bathroom and attached to the owners house but with its own private entrance from the carpark. It was a great location as it was a 5 minute walk from Emmerson's place. Saturday morning I was finally able to rouse myself for an early morning run. Unfortunately I forgot my Garmin watch so had to use my phone in a hip carrier which doesn't always work and this time it did not. I just like to get a map of places I run that are not my usual but oh well - not this time. It ended up being about an 8 mile run because I could not check my phone as it was all zipped up in the carrier. It was fine on the run out as still morning cool - but it was quite hot on the return run. But always fun to get out and about in new places.

A breakfast place down the street from Emmerson's showing some bizarro photo edit of herself that Ada always sends. It was tasty and so nice to just sit outside, chat and watch things go by.

The Mayan influence is quite present in Merida from the people to the Yucatec Maya language to the food and the story of the Yucatan and Merida. A Mayan monument in one of the main round abouts in the city.

The fancy Merida McDonalds!

Still in awe of the machinations of the flour factory.

Awe inspiring.

And across the street was the largest park in Merida - La Plancha?? Maybe? It has lots of trains which made me think it might have once been a train station/terminal. And it had a really big flag.