Thursday Evening Out on the Town

Last Thursday, our first full day in Mérida, continued with more activities in the evening.  We went out to my favorite restaurant, Amaro, and we were waited on by my favorite waiter, Enrique. I have been coming to Amaro for at least a dozen years, and, every time I return, Enrique greets me with an "abrazo" (hug).  Over the years, I have brought so many friends and relatives here, and each time I take a photo of them with Enrique.  This year was no exception.

  
As always, we enjoyed a great meal and the jovial service of Enrique.  For dessert Meredith and I ordered something that I have never had... a flambé dessert prepared tableside.  We had "crepas flameadas a la naranja"... flaming crepes with orange juice and Cointreau.  The preparation was quite a dramatic presentation.

Our leisurely supper lasted until nine o'clock.  We then walked over to the Plaza Santa Lucía.  Every Thurday night for the past 54 years a free outdoor performance of music and dance, the "Serenata Yucateca", has been presented.  The "serenata" had already begun before we arrived.  It is a popular event with both locals and tourists, and there were no seats left.  We stood toward the back and watched the rest of the show.

There was an excellent trio that played a set of Latin songs.  (Yes, it was a trio.  In the video below, one of the guitarists is hidden by the tree.)

There were also traditional folk dances of the Yucatán, including the one in which the dancers balance on their heads a tray with glasses and a bottle of beer.

There were several food carts set up on the plaza offering "marquesitas", a popular dessert of Yucatán.    The vendor pours batter onto a hot, round griddle.  A filling such as shredded Edam cheese, Nutella, sweetened condensed milk, or jam is spread on the "marquesita" and it is rolled up.  

I make it a habit to avoid street food, but the "marquesitas" have always looked so tempting.  Although we didn't try any on this particular evening, later in the trip, we all bought some.  They were very tasty, and we suffered no ill effects.