MEXICO: Merida's Former Affluence on Display on the Paseo de Montejo

Paseo de Montejo is a boulevard in Mérida, named after Francisco de Montejo, the Spanish conquistador who “founded” the city.

It is lined with large mansions from the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

The mansions are a legacy of the economic boom fueled by the henequén industry.

During the henequén boom, known locally as the era of “Green Gold,” Mérida became one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico. 

The henequén barons chose to display their wealth through their homes.

MEXICO: Yucatan Cooking Classes

The cuisine in Merida differs from traditional Mexican cuisine because it is influenced by the local Mayan culture, plus, Caribbean, Mexican, European and Middle Eastern cultures.

One of the staples of Mérida’s cuisine is corn, which was also a staple of the Mayan diet for centuries. 

Corn tortillas accompany nearly every meal.

We started our class by shopping in the local market for fresh local ingredients.

MEXICO: People Watching in Merida's Parks

I am still trying to perfect my People Watching skills and figured Sunday in the parks would be a great way to do it.

Every Sunday the city’s central square has a tradition of entertainment and market stalls.

On the main stage traditional jarana dancers in embroidered huipiles perform to live music.

MEXICO: Merida's Lucas de Gálvez Market

Mercado Lucas de Gálvez was established in 1887 in Merida’s historic centre. 

It is the city's main market.

It is enormous and covers 45,000 sqm (over 484,000 sq ft) with more than 2,000 vendors.

It isn’t a tourist market but it’s a working market for the locals to shop for their daily items.

The maze of narrow walkways are lined with small stalls selling fresh produce, meat, seafood, spices, textiles, traditional clothing, handmade hammocks, pottery, and everyday household items.

MEXICO: The Art of Making Corn Tortillas in the Yucatan Peninsula

Corn is a sacred crop in Mayan tradition.  

According to the Mayan creation story, the gods first tried to make humans from mud and wood, but those attempts failed.  

Finally, the gods created the first humans from a paste of yellow and white corn. 

The Mayans had a god of corn called Hun Hunahpu.

They performed rituals to the god at various stages of corn growth.

The Mayans considered corn a key part of their identity and corn gave food and life to their communities.

Corn tortillas are a a huge part of Yucatán’s culinary and cultural heritage dating back to the traditions of the ancient Mayan.

MEXICO: Merida's Mayan and Colonial History

Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatán in southeastern Mexican.

With a population of over 1.5million people it is the cultural and financial capital of the area.

It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas with a unique combination of Mayan, Spanish and Caribbean cultures.

Originally the city was called T’ho and was the center of the Mayan's world in the Yucatan region. 

Monumento a la Patria is a tribute to the rich history and culture of Mexico.