There is really only one way to
truly get to know a place, and that is to walk its streets. If you want to know
what is happening, or see how people are living, walk the neighborhoods. The
city of Mérida, on the Yucatán peninsula of México is a beautiful place and its
colonial center is a great place to walk.
The Doors of Mérida
Maybe it was my coming of age in
the early 1970’s but I have always loved the old Aer Lingus and The Irish
Tourism Office advertisement “The Doors of Dublin”:
When I walk around any city I am
entranced by the door ways. I look to see if they are old or new. I notice if
they are being maintained or allowed to decay. I feel that I can tell something
about the condition of a town by looking at its doors. A family might not have
the money to paint and plaster the outside walls, but if they are doing well
their door is in good shape. If they have extra money it is special. The door
to one’s house is their face to the world.
Mérida Markets
Another way to learn about place
is to visit its market place. Mérida has a huge central market. A short walk
from the Plaza Grande or Zócalo, the Mercado Central occupies about 6 square
blocks. You can read a little of its history here.
This is not a place to go if you are claustrophobic. Its tight passages are filled
with stalls selling everything from soup to nuts, from clothes to furniture, just
about anything a family could want or need.
The market can be hard to walk
through, especially when it get crowded, and I quickly lost track of where
the exits were. But it was a feast for the senses. Clothes, food and goods of
so many colors were everywhere I looked. The sounds of sellers and buyers fill
the space, and the smell of spices for sale and of cooking food made my mouth
water. I could have spent hours in the market, and plan to when I return.
Centennial Zoo (Parque Zoológico Del Centenário)
Family life is very important in
Mérida, and the Centennial Park Zoo is a favorite place to bring the kids. The
zoo has a significant collection of animals. Giraffes and zebras meet you at
the main gate, and there are three Bengali Tigers. I can also say that I have
never been as close to not one, not two, but three hippos. There are many types
of primates and birds. But there are most of all are little kids with smiles on
their faces, running from cage to cage, while their parents try to keep up. There is a small gauge train that rides
around the edge of the park, and a cable car ride across the park.
If you are used to modern
zoological parks like the Bronx Zoo, you might find this zoo disappointing, sad
or maybe even abusive of the animals. But if this is the zoo that you have you
come and bring the kids, and everyone visiting was having a great time.
Walking around a city is the best
way to get a real feel for the lives that people lead. So take the time to
leave the tourist areas and explore where people live. You will have some fun
and learn more about the day to day experiences of those whom you are visiting.
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