A Yucatecan Tour With Mexicans

If you ask a Meridiano where they are from, they will tell you they are from Yucatan.  They almost never refer to themselves as Mexicanos.  Perhaps that is because Yucatan was separate from Mexico after the Spanish conquest.  It did not join Mexico until 1823 and later, in 1841, as a result of cultural and political conflicts declared its independence once again.  In 1848, Yucatan again rejoined Mexico. 

Restaurants advertise Yucatecan and Mexican food as separately as they do Italian or Japanese.  It's true that Yucatecan food is very different.  You won't get a taco, tostada or enchilada here unless you go to a Mexican restaurant.  The food is influenced by the tropical climate and the Maya.  It also has a certain European influence, especially French.

Much of the architecture has European influences, French and Italian in particular. The beautiful Paseo de Montejo is called the "Champs Elysees" of Yucatan. It is a wide boulevard with many trees and old mansions from the hennequin days.  Today there are boutique hotels, exclusive shops, museums, restaurants and a few outdoor cafes.  On Sundays they close off the street for the bici-ruta.  People ride bikes, walk their dogs and rollerblade. from 9-1 after which they enjoy a meal or snack with their friends and family.  This is the more elite population of Merida as well as tourists.

So back to the topic of this post...

I signed up for a tour of Dzibilchaltun, which is said to be the oldest Mayan archeological zone in the Yucatan peninsula.  It's located in the heart of the old henequin plantation area between Merida and the gulf coast town of Progreso.  By the way, henequin is known in the states as sisal, a fiber which comes from the agave plant.  You may know that tequila comes from the agave plant, but that's blue agave which is grown in Mexico, not Yucatan.

I was the first to be picked up in our small group and soon learned that all of the other tourists were from Mexico and very little English was spoken.  Our guide, Juan, said he didn't really speak much English, however, his English was excellent.  He translated all of the information he gave to the others and even though I understood, I let him translate out of curiosity.  

The last pair to be collected was an older disabled woman and her granddaughter.  Juan had given me the front seat, but I offered it to the grandmother and she was very greatful not to have to climb to the back of the van.  While the others were polite, they seemed a bit bothered by the idea that this woman might slow down the group.  I learned that she was very well-traveled and wanted to show her granddaughter (aged 15) a little of the Mundo Maya. This woman, Carmen, kept up as best she could and never complained.  At one point, she asked the guide where we would be walking and sat down to wait for the group to circle back.  I let Montse walk with me and even took her down to swim in the cenote. Montse seemed fascinated by the odd duck, me, and really wanted to talk to me about everything.  She was a darling girl and I happily answered all of her questions.  We are now Facebook friends!