Izamal, Mexico

 

Our last stop of the trip was the small town of Izamal, one of Mexico’s designated a “pueblos mágicos” or magical towns, where we thought we’d find quiet streets and laid-back atmosphere. Little did we know that we arrived at the start of “its traditional fair honoring the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, better known around here as the Virgin of Izamal.” We didn’t “expect lively streets, music and plenty of local spirit” along with many food and craft stalls, carnival rides, and masses of people attending church services. 

Long line ups to get into an already packed church. I wondered how many people fainted in the heat and standing-room-only area of the church!

We were thankful our hotel was located several blocks from the main square until we realized we would just be getting a different type of nightly noise. Barking dogs, horses neighing, and roosters that don’t know they’re supposed to cockle doodle do only in the morning! 

T'u'ul in Spanish means rabbit.

Izamal is known as the “City of Hills” as there are several remains of temple pyramids. We started our day early and walked until we got to the largest one, Kinich Kakmó, and climbed the stairs to the top for a great view overlooking the city. We avoided the afternoon crowds but were still dripping in sweat by the time we left there. 

Taking a break in the shade, completely soaked in sweat!

Izamal is also known as the “Yellow City” as most of its buildings in the central area are painted yellow. 

The main building is the Convento de San Antonio de Padua and, from all sides, there are interesting features to look at. The atrium is the second largest in the world behind Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. I managed to get a look inside the cathedral in the evening, after all the main church services. We visited the church museum, slipping in between large, guided groups.

Quiet courtyard inside the church on the way to the museum.

A room on the top floor at the back of the church. We thought the area under the red arch might be for displaying a casket, with a door opening to the main part of the church for people to see it during a funeral. 

The church has interesting architecture from all sides! I love the flying buttresses.

The church was much quieter in the evening.

The Arco de Izamal looked beautiful lit up at night and there were lots of unique doorways along the yellow buildings lining the streets. 

In the afternoon, both of us a sweaty and soggy mess, we collapsed in our hotel room for a siesta and then enjoyed cooling off in the hotel pool. 

Me: Immediately flopping on the bed when we got back to our hotel room.
Andrew: Are you ok? Are you not feeling well?
Me: I'm fine! I'm just hot and sweaty and miserable! 

Merida, Mexico

 

We originally planned to be in Mérida for three nights, but it was SO busy and crowded in the central area with people and vehicles and narrow sidewalks that we decided two nights was enough. 

To find a bit of quiet, we took at taxi to Gran Parque La Plancha and the Museo de la Luz which Andrew saw was promoting an insect exhibit. But when we arrived, we found the exhibit had changed to one about optical illusions, which was interesting and fun. There were three main rooms to visit and by the second and third, we realized they figured out we didn’t speak Spanish and had assigned someone to guide us through. As we approached the third one, the young woman asked, “Are you the English-speaking people?” She indicated she’d been advised of us coming. Andrew laughed and said, “Gringo alert!” She smirked and said, “Well, that’s not exactly what we say.”  

A 

Do you see the front of the man's face or the side profile? Or both? 

Straight? Or angled?

Gran Parque La Plancha has a big manmade lake

A large amphitheater

Baby ducks and other birds

There are several attractions of note around the Plaza Grande, including the Cathedral of Mérida (apparently the oldest cathedral in the Americas), the Pasaje de La Revolución, the Palacio Municipal de Mérida (a warehouse, then a prison, and now government buildings which were closed when we were there), the Palacio de Gobierno (also a government building which has a lovely courtyard and beautiful large paintings on the walls), and the Museo Casa Montejo (the house of the founder of Merida). Built in 1540, as recent as the early 1980’s the house was inhabited by descendents of the Montejo family.   

Palacio Municipal de Mérida, the "red building"

Palacio de Gobierno, the "green building"

Pasaje de La Revolución

Museo Casa Montejo

Just a block off the Plaza Grande is the Palacio de la Música, the music museum, which was excellent! So colorful and interactive. 

All in all, a good visit. Just a much busier city than we expected. 

The courtyard and pool at our hotel in Merida