Leaving Merida

Leaving Merida

            Merida itself however, was a LOVELY city. I enjoyed everything about it from the central square to the nightlife to the buses. I adored living in a city and feeling independent and it was something I will probably not experience again. While 5 weeks in a city was great I missed some things about suburbia too much. For one, the quietness. My house was on a main road and all throughout the day we heard beeping and cars screeching. Noise while I’m sleeping is something that I suppose I got used to in 5 weeks but can certainly live without. However, there were other aspects of Merida I enjoyed so much it makes me want to come back. The people (locals) I have met have been wonderful. Everyone is so nice and so helpful and surprisingly most speak English. It was a little annoying sometimes when I would go in a store and speak in Spanish and they would answer me back in English, it always made me feel dumb. Watching a friend of mine get a rose almost everynight from a Mexican boy really allowed me to see the differences in our cultures. No boys I have met or heard of in the United States have acted quite up to the way the boys in mexico act. Whenever my host brother would introduce us to his friends doors would be opened for us and kisses on the cheek would be given. I enjoyed the little taste of chivalry we got while living in Merida. The places I got to experience with the entire group in the city of Merida have been some of the most fun places. The Mambo Café is this “discoteca” with a live band every Wednesday named De Ran. Usually our entire group would go there just to dance salsa on Wednesdays and we always had a blast. However, that place was easy to feel comfortable in and getting out to new places we were uncomfortable with was the difficult part.

Below is a picture of Cindy, Will (english guy who lived in my house as well), Caitlin my roomate and I

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            We also got to experience CARNAVAL 2008. This was a huge celebration within the city and I absolutely loved going. Although I can honestly say we didn’t go to as many events as I had expected or wanted to, the few that we saw were really cool. The parade was unlike most parades in the United States. All the performers were scantily dressed (more so than I am used to) and very provocative dancers. One of the funniest parts of the parade was when for about 5 minutes everyone was chanting, “Coca, coca, coca” all for coca-cola. I cannot imagine that happening in the states although I haven’t been to a parade in quite some time. Carnaval is something I am really glad I got to experience while I was here.

            Going from a huge (population over 1 million) Americanized city to the rest of our trip is a little intimidating. I got used to Merida, to the culture there and the people. Now I am sitting on a hammock with sunlight pouring into my eyes and no lights on with very little running water. A complete opposite to the modernized and americanized lives we lived for the first 5 weeks of our trip. I think all Mérida did was acclimate me to Mexico, I am now very excited to actually explore and live in Mexico. San Cristobal at the end will be a nice relief to our travels, but for the next almost 4 weeks I am excited to live out of my suitcase.

Me saying goodbye to my host mom!! (compare to first day when i met here wearing sweatpants and a fleece jacket!)

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