More From Hunucma

New Construction in Hunucma - Just down the street from the Thatch Huts...

Rennovated House in Hunucma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary School in Hunucma

Entry Hall to the School

Friday the Mexican Two-Step finally hit Jerry.  He stayed home from school but I got to see my first ruin, Mayapan,  about 30 minutes outside Merida.   It was a "field trip" with a group of students from our school and despite the 95 degree weather, was a great day.

Do you see that this is a large Mayan Mask as part of the side of the building?  Eyes, elephant trunk nose and mouth with teeth.

They have built protective huts over stone or painted images of Gods

The Crew  Front Row:  Elizabeth, Former Criminal Defense Attorney in Marin County, Me, Carl from Ireland,  Back Row:  Gabrielle, Psychiatric RN, Emily & , students from Canada

This is a photo of a former ruin on the perimeter of the site that was invaded and destroyed by trees and their roots.

I'll let you look up "Mayapan" on google to read about the ruins.  It's a small site and there was only one other couple visiting that day - We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Below are some photos of our school including the two pet rabbits George and Henrietta, a photo of Jerry with his teacher Romina (she speaks 5 languages and lived in China last year!), and some of the other students and staff at the school.  We have met some really wonderful people at the school.

Ron from Toronto, Canada       Carl from Ireland   & Gabrielle from Colorado

Romina and Jerry

More Hunumka

More photos from the town of Hunumka

The Casa de Montejo is a historical home that has been partially renovated.  It was built between 1542 and 1549 for Don Francisco Montejo, the Spanish Conquerer of the Yucatan Peninsula.  It fell into disrepair as many of the Spanish mansions did until the Bank of Mexico purchased and renovated it.  It is located across from Plaza Grande which is the Center of the City. 

Dining Room Ceiling

View of the Catedral from the House - This Cathedral is the oldest one on the American Continent

View of the Plaza from a Balcony

Last Saturday we took the bus to a small town about a half hour from Merida by the name of Hanukma.  We just wanted to get out of the city and had heard that this was quite charming and not a tourist spot.  What we found most interesting was the mode of transportation.   Very, very few cars on the streets - just these unique taxis and personal vehicles.

We walked several neighborhoods and found these incredible huts that some people continue to live in.  Literally mud huts with tree branches as structural support.

For the Ladies

These are some amazing dresses that are in the  window of one of the stores.... I am not sure if they are intended for "quincinera" (the big 15 year old birthday celebration where the girls wear dresses that cost as much as a wedding dress) or if they are for dances during the Carnival (Mardi Gras) that is a huge event for the entire city that starts next week....

 

And I saved the best one for last!

 

 Can you imagine the yards and yards of fabric that go in to these??

Of course I am sure the men are looking at these too (even tho I said it was for the ladies), so I added one for them!

This last one is specifically for my brother Marc.  We passed by a gym that has his name written all over it....

Sharon Aspenberg asked if we were in "Restaurant Heaven."  I guess that would be Cielo de Restarantes....  So this blog is devoted to the food we eat and see.

 Our first day a German tourist, his wife and young son led us to a restaurant close to our apartment.  Jerry had 3 small tacos (no surprises there!) and I had what is a regional favorite, sopa de lima.  The soup was excellent with a very slight flavor of lime in the broth and then lots of chicken and veggies.  We have since returned to that restaurant and have found it is one of the best.  The soup is around $3 and is a complete meal.

 For our  next restaurant adventure we walked to El Centro and ate at a little cafe called La Chaya Maya.  Jerry had a traditional Yucatacan dish that was turkey encased in a cornmeal "pocket" and then wrapped in banana leaves and baked.  Mine was some type of enchilada dish.

There is fresh fish and meat available at the Mercado but we haven't been that adventurous yet!  Also some things available at the grocery stores that we haven't tried....