Day 4 (SaturdayO Merida and Dzibilchaltun

We start the day with a wonderful breakfast of  fresh squeezed orange juice and omelets.  Oh, and of course, coffee for the coffee drinkers.  Juan meets us at the hotel and we’re off to discover the gems of Merida.  We walk the few blocks to the main plaza.  Stopping along the way to see the University.  The original structure is now only used for offices.  They are the original doors that have been refinished many times and are still beautiful and impressive. 

Once at the square, we start with the Governor’s palace  and the painting that tell the history of Yucatan.  I must admit that in order to save my knees, I opt to sit and enjoy the park.  I join back up with the group to go inside the cathedral.  The original tableau was burned and replaced with a huge wooden cross and with Jesus.  It is simple dramatic lines  that balance the old architectural features. 

The big market is the next stop.  Even though it is a short walk, I decide to save my knees and go back to the hotel.  I ask Juan to get me some of the ground pumpkin seeds to make Sikil Pak  (the dip that we had yesterday at the cenote).  After seeing the pile of ground pumpkin seeds out in the open, the others decided they would pass on buying any of it.  I will cook it so am fine with it being in the open. 

After a short rest to catch our breath and cool off  at the hotel, we head out again.  This time in the car.  We head to the North side of the city which is where the main growth has been and where many of the 19^th century big houses are.  Some of the houses are still private homes, some are now banks, restaurants, offices , some are abandoned and some have been torn down and replaced with modern buildings. 

We enjoy a light lunch of  empanadas and stuffed squash at a restaurant that specializes in traditional Maya food.  We also have a refreshing drink make out of the chaya leaves.  It is mixed with lemon juice. 

On to Dzibilchaltun which means place  of the written stones.  The area has been inhabited for several thousand years.  The oldest temple seems small compared to what we saw yesterday at Chichen Itza but it is much older.  On the equinox, as the sun rises, it shines directly through the doors.  Another interesting part of the site is the chapel.  It was built by the Spanish to try to make a Christian place  that would be more comfortable for the inhabitants.  Since the Maya were used to outdoor ceremonies and rituals, this chapel is only the front area  and then is open to the sky. 

This cenote is different than the others we have seen in that it is at ground level and doesn’t require going down 50 to 100’ to get to the water.   It is shallow at one end and slants down to the deep area.  This makes it much more family friendly.  There are several small groups of people enjoying the fresh water.  We manage to get both in and out of the water. 

We meet Juan and his family for dinner at another restaurant that specializes in traditional Maya cuisine.  It was great to see them.