Gap Year Post #6 - The colors of Mérida, capital city of Yucatán

Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucantan and was founded by the spaniard Francisco de Montejo de León. The city is made up of hundreds of blocks and it is possible to admire buildings with different shapes and colors. Before arriving there I had looked for some photos on the internet but I didn't think it would be so fascinating in person. A simple, energetic, authentic, lively and intense city for the emotions it transmits.

I stayed a few days in a family-run hostel where I took the following photo which represents the map of the city only of the central part. Both to give an idea of ​​the structure of the city and because on the first day I based myself on this map to explore Mérida and it is a personal memory of mine.

Walking down the street I encountered buildings with different architecture that make each street unique and special. I have deliberately included photos of both recently renovated and abandoned buildings in this section because they convey the soul of the city. It is possible to notice how the streets and electricity cables interact with the buildings and how the successions and buildings of different appearance and colors make these streets an incredible experience to discover the city.

I perceived the decorations of the houses as very intimate and personal.

Regarding paintings, I am typically more interested in taking photographs of murals but in this case even the advertising signs of the shops caught my attention.

Even the shops on the city streets have their own soul. In this case I selected a dental prosthesis shop, a mechanic, the stork and clothes shop.

Among the vehicles for details, I was thrilled to photograph a beautiful vintage car whose model I haven't asked anyone yet, a typical bus used for local public transport and the classic, but always beautiful, Volkswagen Beetle.

In the center of the city you have the San Benito market where you can buy at an excellent price and quality. It is the first market of this type that I encountered on my trip and the experience was strong also because it reminded me of the Il Suq market in Marrakech, which was hit by the earthquake recently last year. To reach the market, I was very struck by the traffic light that indicated how many seconds remained until the color green ended. Furthermore, in the market I saw some arcade video games that I played as a child and a machine for making tortillas in operation.

You can find lovely stalls selling spices, chili peppers, chili, exotic fruits, pure fruit juice drinks and the famous meat section which unfortunately was closed during my visit.

The park of Santa Ana is characterized by its church which is very striking for its stone facade and the color of the building, often used to paint the homes of the population in Mérida. Also in the park there is a famous city market where you can rest, eat excellent Mexican food, fruit juices and infusions.

The main square of Mérida, called Plaza Grande, made me realize that compared to the state of Quintana Roo, where the Mayan Riviera is present, the state of Yucatán has less massive tourism and allows you to enjoy moments through a more local eye of landscapes.

During the day the main streets are very busy with cars but it is possible to walk on the outskirts to find the tranquility and charm of the city of Mérida.

Thank you so much for reading my article! I wish you a good day!

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Text and photos are by @andr3a1sm !

P.s. this is the link to my previous article about my gap year. Holbox!