Merida

Halloween weekend I dragged myself off the lounger, tore my eyes away from jade colored waves (the water’s more green than blue here, hence the name “the Emerald coast”) and left the conch lined walls of the Casa Solana property. Having seen many of the Mayan ruins and other more “official” sites last year, I told Neydi there was only one thing I definitely wanted to see – the Day of the Dead festivities.

El Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is a beautiful Mexican holiday steeped in tradition that takes place around our Halloween. Both holidays have skeletons, yes, but they couldn’t have more different meanings. To get a better idea of the significance and meaning of the holiday, check out last year’s post here.

Hanal Pixan is the name of this festival in Merida, the capitol city of the Yucatan, about 90 minutes or so from Casa Solana and Chuburna. The focus of the festivities is on the various altars (ofrendas) to commemorate lost loved ones, complete with offerings of food, flowers like the Mexican marigold (cempasuchil) or photographs of the deceased.

I know my mother will laugh at me, but what I found the most wonderful was (of course) the food. It was all free! Women made fresh tortillas over open flames next to many of the altars and Neydi would just shout “dos, por favor!” as we went by. They were still hot and often covered in pico or lime which I learned basically goes with everything.

I’m having too many technical difficulties trying to write much more from here so I’ll let the rest of my pictures do the talking. Enjoy, assuming I manage to get them loaded.

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Well, so much has happened, I have some catching up to do. For those that haven’t seen the multitude of pictures on Facebook, here’s where I’m staying. I miss Bella and Frankie (and you too, Mom), but there are plenty of cats to keep me company, even if they are a little stand-offish. Writer pals Carol and Laura stayed with me the first week. We saw Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. We saw Mayan ruins, mangrove forests, and traditional markets. All things I may (or may not) post about. Those two proved to be superb and skilled travel partners. Here’s a picture of the three of us. But they’ve gone home now and I’m by myself. Yesterday, I managed to get down to the shore with my new friend, Nadine (in Spanish, it’s Neydi.) This is the Gulf of Mexico and the Malecon (or boardwalk) just outside my door. These pretty shots were taken by Laura earlier.A strong Mexican man wheeled me through the soft sand, no problem, but once there I had to employ the old scooting technique. As a result, my body’s a little banged up. I’m sore enough that I’ve decided today is pool and ceviche day (there’s a great local place that delivers). Here’s me in the Gulf.We had a little scare when I dropped my $300 prescription sunglasses in the surf. After looking in the not very clear water for about ten minutes and drifting about a block from where my wheelchair waited onshore, would you believe Nadine came up with them? I squealed at the top of my lungs and kept shouting in English that I couldn’t believe it. That’s when I learned the important Spanish exclamation – fantastica! The day was capped off by laying in the sand listening to the sounds of a Mariachi band drift from a restaurant across the street. And trying a local meringue sweet sold by the vendors walking up and down the beach. Here are some not-so-pretty shots of Nadine’s, but I share it in the spirit of capturing a moment of a trip fantastica!