Another Fantastic Saturday Night

The cultural events of "Mérida Fest" continue through the month of January.

After our expedition to Uxmal yesterday, Alejandro and I rested for several hours in the hotel. Then we ventured out around 9:00 P.M. to experience the city on a Saturday night.  

We walked the short distance down Calle 60 to the main plaza.  Once again there were two stages set up on the streets surrounding the plaza... one in front of the government palace and another in front of the Cathedral.  On the stage in front of the government palace, the same Yucatecan folklore group that had performed last Saturday was in the middle of a performance.  We watched the remainder of their show, and then continued walking around the plaza.  On the opposite side, at the Casa Montejo (the 16th century mansion built as the home of the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo) they had just a begun a light and sound show which explained the significance of the carvings on the facade.

Then a historical skit was presented in which an actor dressed as a Mayan noble came to the door of the mansion.  Another actor, dressed as Franciso de Montejo, appeared on the balcony, and a fictional conversation ensued between them, highlighting the clash between the Mayan and Spanish cultures and how the Yucatán of today is a blend of the two.  Following the dialog another group of folk dancers emerged from the doors of the mansion and performed the tradtional Yucatecan dance of the "jarana".

We continued our circle around the plaza and in front of the cathedral yet another performance was underway.  A young lady from Mexico City, whose parents are from Japan, was giving a concert playing traditional Japanese drums.

We headed down Calle 60 and had a drink and snack at the café next to Peón Contreras Theater and listened to Flavio, my favorite Mérida musician.  A lovely ending to a wonderful evening.

Alejandro is falling under the spell of Mérida.  He loves the city, the friendly people, the relaxed atmosphere, and the cultural events.

Alas, today, is our final day in the Yucatán... but for me another chapter of my trip will begin... two weeks in Mexico City.