NOUNS OF MERIDA: PERSONS, PLACES, THINGS

THIS POST: THINGS

SUBJECT: THE MONUMENTS OF MERIDA

Simply defined, a monument is a structure, such as a building or sculpture, erected as a memorial to a person, place, or event, usually of some historical importance.

Merida, and Mexico in general, enjoys a savory heritage filled with famous characters and exciting events. Being a very proud people, the Mexican’s never hesitate to embrace their heroes and the events that shaped the history of their country. They love their flag and fly it proudly at every opportunity, and they absolutely love their monuments! And I absolutely love their espirit de corps!

In Merida, you can find a monument almost everywhere you look! And they keep erecting them as I type and as you read! I don’t know of too many glorietas, or “round-abouts/turn-abouts” here in Merida that are devoid of a monument. For those that are, I’m sure there must be plans in the making to construct one! And I say the more the merrier! It’s a great reminder of where we’ve been, and why we are here. I wish the US had the same patriotic inclinations, but there are just too many groups who would find too many politically incorrect connotations in any monument, and the courts would be even fuller than they are now with trivial law suits. (That statement sounds almost political, and I don’t blog “political”!)

The most famous monument in Merida, and the most visited and photographed, is the Monumento a la Patria (Monument to the Fatherland), located on the Paseo de Montejo. Visited by thousands of locals and tourists every year, it is a huge structure and often is the center stage or backdrop of numerous events here in Merida. It is revered by all who visit it and it stands quite stately guarding the traffic that passes it by. It’s one of the absolute nicest monuments you will ever witness anywhere.

(Note: Click on any picture to enlarge.)

Merida’s monuments come in all shapes and sizes. Some are quite large and even intimidating, while others are small and inconspicuous. Here are a few examples:

I don’t know what each monument is supposed to represent, but I do know that each one has its own unique character and unsurpassed charm.

This monument was erected to honor the memory of Pedro Infante, a famous Mexican singer and actor. He was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, November 18, 1917, and died in Merida on April 15, 1957, as a result of an airplane accident.

The International Lions Club even snuck in for a commemorative monument!

This monument honors the local Mayan/Yucatecan dance the “Jarana” which is performed quite often throughout the city by various dance groups.

This monument commemorates and celebrates motherhood.



Some monuments are merely fountains while others are intricate displays of Mayan history. At Parque de las Americas (Park of the Americas), almost every structure there can be considered a monument to the Mayan people.

This was a monument to Miguel Canto, but unfortunately, he’s been “busted” and he now adorns someone’s garden or he’s been melted down for his bronze content. I hope he can get his head back on straight and he gets repaired!

Here’s a few photos of a work in progress and the finalized project. Indeed, a very nice addition to the Paseo de Montejo. It commemorates Francisco de Montejo and his son. This was one glorieta that was devoid of a monument, but no longer!

Each monument tells a story and holds cherished memories for the citizens of Merida. Viisitors to these monuments are struck by the feeling that this must have been an important person, or a very noteworthy event, and I often ponder the historical significance. It would be a “monumental task” to research each and every monument, but it may prove to be a worthwhile adventure that I may undertake one day!

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)