A Look Back at Mexico: Mérida, Redux ~ Part 3

Of course there's more to Mérida than the excellent food (see Part 2).  In this final post from our December 2015 visit to the capital of Mexico's Yucatan state, we'll show you a few more sights on our second visit to this historic city.

Here is the Palacio Municipal (or Governor's Palace) on Mérida's Plaza Grande, the main square in Centro.  The palace is open for touring with no admission, and is a must-see when in Mérida for the large, detailed murals within, depicting Mayan history.  Since we'd toured the palace on our first trip to the city, we didn't go in this time but enjoyed the exterior views. It's a beautiful building, painted in a salmon color that appears pink in some light, orange in others.

Wherever we go in Mexico, it seems that there is always a parade for something or another. This small procession was comprised of older children in their school uniforms and some in long white robes.  Since most of the schools are associated with the Catholic church, it may have had religious significance. Some of the kids were carrying balloons in the colors of Mexico's flag, and many smiled and waved as they marched by and saw us taking their photo.

I noticed this painted on a random wall.  Translation:  "When I change, the world changes." Nice.

In the historic Centro of the city, many of the corners are marked with folksy carved concrete plaques painted in a brick-red color and depicting animals or objects. Each of these seems to have a story associated with the name.  These designations provided an easy way in the past for people to negotiate the city more easily.  Now, street numbers are more commonly used instead, but these corner plaques have endured and add a huge touch of charm and whimsy to the city.

On this corner, there is a bar called El Cardenal, which is likely how the corner got its name. Or perhaps it was the other way around?

Here's an excellent article about the street corner signs with many more photos, if you are interested in learning and seeing more.

We saw another parade just getting set up near the Parque Le Mejorada.  This one was likely associated with the church on this park, the Iglesia y Ex Convento de la Mejorada, which roughly translates to "Church and Ex-Convent of the Improved".

Iglesia y Ex Convento de la Mejorada

Below is El arco de Dragones (the Arch of Dragons), also in the La Mejorada area of the city. The arch dates from the colonial period and, along with several other arches, was erected to delineate various barrios (neighborhoods) in Centro Mérida. 

El arco de Dragones

Last but certainly not least, the golden Iglesia de San Juan was all lit up in the afternoon sunshine on one of our walks.  Against the brilliant blue sky, this was a sight we found muy hermosa (very beautiful).

Iglesia de San Juan

Also while in Mérida, we took a day trip by bus to the fascinating "Yellow City" of Izamal nearby.  We'll bring that to you next, so stay tuned!