Stories That Live On

This morning we took a trip to the general cemetery of Merida.

Heading in for a morning walk around the cemetery

Years ago, people who died in the city would be buried in the church floor or on the grounds. Because of the spread of diseases, this practice was banned and burial grounds were required to be outside of city limits. Today, the general cemetery is located in the southwest part of the downtown area; the city has grown around it.

It was common for neighborhoods to have their own mausoleums

Before it was a cemetery, the land belonged to a wealthy family that had a henequen plantation. There is a mausoleum dedicated to the workers who spent their whole lives there.

The section reserved for members of the Masonic Lodge

Wandering around

Exploring the monument dedicated to the Carillo Puerto family

One of the largest monuments in the cemetery is dedicated to a former governor of Yucatan who was assassinated in this very cemetery. Felipe Carrillo Puerto fought for the rights of women and indigenous people and worked to repair the relationship between the Mexican government and the indigenous groups after a bloody caste war. He did not support the rebellion against the Mexican president, and was captured by the opposing forces and put on trial. It is said that his last words before being executed were "Don't abandon my indians."

The wall where Carrillo Puerto and his brothers were shot

The colorful icon of the Virgin of Guadalupe stands out

The cemeteries of Yucatan are certainly different from some others. The graves are above ground and many emulate the home of the deceased or have altars which are regularly replenished with offerings of food and flowers.

The deterioration of some family mausoleums parallels the loss of a family fortune. Without maintenance and care, the stone structures quickly fall into disrepair.

Taking a look

Today was a day to hear stories from the past and learn about the concepts of the future. The gravestones and mausoleums all have elements of pride, worldview and faith, giving a clear yet diverse picture of the culture of Yucatan.

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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 contex...

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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