NOUNS OF MERIDA: PERSONS, PLACES, THINGS

THIS POST: PLACES

SUBJECT: MERIDA, THE WHITE CITY

When people saw that Merida’s original buildings were of white limestone, the streets were cleaned twice daily, and the white guyabera with matching white pants, hat, and sandals rpresented the formal dress of the Yucatecan gentleman, Merida got the nickname “The White City”.

Minimal research turned up the fact that the nickname “White City” is not unique to Merida. There are “White Cities” scattered throughout the globe, including five cities in the United States, four in the United Kingdom, and one each in Israel, Greece, Russia, Canada, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Italy, Sweden, and Australia! (I never knew that!)

Today, it is almost cost prohibitive to use white limestone for other than trim and decorative purposes. Houses are primarily constructed of mamposteria (stacked stone), and more commonly, cement building blocks. A thin layer of plaster, usually of a cement base, is used to surface the stone or cement block, which is then painted. It is at this point you can say hasta la vista to the theme of “The White City”!

The Mexican people are a vibrant and joyous lot and this spills over and is reflected in every aspect of their culture, including the colors they choose for their homes (and I love it)! Take a look at some of the houses I have photographed within the city limits of Merida, The White City: (photographs shown without commentary - none needed!)

My home didn’t make it to this wonderful, colorful gallery! It pales in comparison, painted tan with white trim, with black wrought iron accessories. But I have a confession to make:

I love each and every home that is pictured here! This is just a small part of what makes Mexico, “Mexico”, and I wouldn't change a thing!!!

(Blogger Villain got me while I was trying to post these pictures! Try as I may, this is the best I could come up with!)

A HISTORY LESSON FOR YOU!

I recall that I enjoyed History when I was in school, but my grades didn't always reflect my enthusiasm for the subject matter! Now, had we had some history lessons that included some of the following, I may have gotten straight "A's"! Here's some Olde English history for you to consider next time you ponder the origin of words.


They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families would all pee in a pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor". But, worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot. They "didn't have a pot to piss in" and were the lowest of the low.

The floors were dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt; hence the saying, "Dirt poor."


The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on their floors to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added
more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way; hence: a "threshhold."


(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)


Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could,"bring home the bacon..". They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat".


Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the "upper crust."


Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wakeup; hence the custom of holding a "wake."


England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people so they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So, they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "deadringer."


And that's the truth! (I think.)

Now, whoever said History was boring!?!


(A special thanks to my dear friend ML for sharing this with me so I, in turn, could share it with you! xxx000)

NOUNS OF MERIDA: PERSONS, PLACES, THINGS

THIS POST: THINGS

SUBJECT: MERIDA’S STREET SIGNS FROM A BYGONE ERA


Scattered throughout the Central Historic District of Merida, you will find many old street signs on the corners of buildings. These signs were reportedly strategically placed by the invading Spaniards to enlighten the local population which spoke only their native tongue, Mayan. The Spaniards were intent upon teaching the local Mayans not only their language but their religion and culture and the placement of these street signs was just one way to do so. While they were quite successful, it must be pointed out that the Mayan language and culture, still flourishes here in the Yucatan.

Some of the street signs are reported to be hundreds of years old, but, having been esxposed to the elements for just too many decades, most of them have been repaired or replaced with duplicates. They are still an interesting part of Merida’s heritage and the local Government is quite adamant about guarding and protecting these unique treasures.

Here are some of the old street signs I have photographed for your viewing pleasure. Personally, I delight in seeing them and hope you enjoy them as much as I always have and will continue to do so.

THE TWO SOLDIERS:

THE SPARROW HAWK:

THE COLISEUM:

A TYPE OF VULTURE:

THE RABBIT:

THE SQUIRREL:

LITERALLY TRANSLATED, "EL GUANO" MEANS THE FERTILIZER! HOWEVER, HERE IT REPRESENTS A LOCAL YUCATECAN PALM TREE:

THE GUYABA (A LOCAL FRUIT):

THE "MAY FLOWER":

THE ALAMO:

(MATADERO) THE OLD SLAUGHTER HOUSE; OR, (MATADOR) THE OLD BULLFIGHTER:

THE COWBOY:

There are many more old signs throughout the central part of Merida. Here are just a few more. See if you can figure out what they mean!

I hope you can visit Merida and see these unique little treasures (tesoros) for yourself!