Exploring Merida: day 1

Our group got in around 8:40pm last night and we had a nice dinner of tacos al pastor, guacamole, nachos and local aguas frescas. After that the students had a chance to explore downtown with their chaperones before bedtime.

This morning we had breakfast and then headed out for a tour of the historical district, the plaza grande which takes up a full city block and is surrounded by 4 important historical buildings.

The first building we saw was la catedral, a catholic church built in the 1500's using the stones from the Mayan city of T'ho that conquistador Fransico de Montejo found when he arrived.

During the revolution, the cathedral was looted and all the gold adornments and paintings were taken or destroyed. After that time, they were never replaced and instead the church has sparse, simple, but still beautiful decor.

Our next stop was the home of the conquistador, Casa de Montejo. This wealthy home took up a full block during it's glory days and now is open to the public as a museum where much of the original furniture is on display.

Learning from our guide, Maria, about the different families that lived in the house from 1524-1924, including the wealthy henequeneros, plantation owners who were able to import goods from all over the world.

As we continued our tour around the main square, we came to the City Hall.

We observed the architectural details, noticing that the crest of Mexico and of Yucatan are both present.

Finally, we made it to the Governor's Palace, where the Governor of Yucatan's offices are.

Maria told us about the history of the building and that the most interesting part is not what we can see from outside, but what is inside.

We entered into the Governor's Palace to see the great murals painted by Fernando Castro Pacheco in the 1970's. The artist was commissioned by the socialist governor of the time to recount the turbulent history of Yucatan, sparing no dirty details.

The murals tell the story of Yucatan from the beginning, the golden age of the Mayans through periods of conquest, exploitation and slavery

We spent time observing the artwork and reading the stories

And then our tour was over! We made our way back to the hotel to pack up and await the host families

And they're off for the afternoon with their Yucatecan families!

Adios and we'll see everyone tomorrow!

Small Town Days: Our time in Yaxunah

Before we began our time in the rural community of Yaxunah, we passed through the small city of Acanceh, where we were able to tour through the market and visit the prehispanic structures that make up the ancient Mayan settlement that today is fused with the architecture and modernity of the town. These ancient structures tell their story through the exposed stones and glimpses of preserved stucco. The pyramid of the masks holds eight stuccoed masks, two on each side of the structure, each one with characteristics associated with the sun god Kinich Ahau. A few blocks away, past the large catholic church and down a side street, surrounded by family homes, the Palace of Stuccos has a frisee that adorns the north face of the building with zoomorphic beings. Just like in the city, the best part of the program is when the students get to meet their new host families. The family is the main pillar of support for the student’s immersion into any context, but it is especially important in smal

The Grand Adventure: Orientation Trip

Our orientation trip began in the southern part of the state of Yucatan, in the community of San Mateo, where we were able to explore the natural resources of the area and learn about a few of the most important trees in the Mayan culture. We also admired historic buildings in the middle of the jungle that are evidence of military bases that were established along the ancient roads of Yucatan after the Caste War. One of the most fascinating experiences we had was entering into what the ancient Mayans knew as the inframundo , or the underworld. We rappelled down into the cenote of San Mateo, breaking the silence within and sending hundreds of bats circling around the high vaulted ceiling of this massive natural well. It is a unique experience that very few people are lucky enough to see. The next part of our trip took place in the state of Quintana Roo, where we were awed by the beauty and culture of the region. We enjoyed our stay at the lakeside cabañas Síijil Noh Há. The food was g

Merida: Our Days in the City

The first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families, is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. In our case, here in Merida, host families are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of their time in Merida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more completely in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing the everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. Mayan culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical context for wha

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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