“…where the footprint of history, memories, love, and pain meet: that’s a cemetery.” -Mafer Cantillo
The opening quote for my letter this month comes from our Editorial Assistant, Mafer Cantillo, who wrote a beautiful article about the statues, monuments, and mausoleums guarding the graves of Mérida’s General Cemetery. Many of them are true works of art. Read her article on page 7, and then go to the cemetery to see it all for yourself.
In keeping with the theme of graves and cemeteries, several other articles in this edition revolve around “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead, or “Hanal Pixán” in Maya). Our cover story is all about Mérida’s Festival de las Ánimas (festival of the souls), culminating with the Paseo de las Ánimas (passage of the souls) on October 31.
On page 8, our longtime friend Ralf Hollmann tells us about the unique cemetery in Hoctún. Many visitors have said that it is the prettiest cemetery in Yucatán. After reading his article you will want to go and see it first-hand!
Did you know there is a mummy museum in Santa Elena, on the Puuc Route? Neither did we. Our senior writer Violeta H. Cantarell went to see it and shares her impressions with us. Another “must” in your Hanal Pixán-related experiences.
Other topics of interest in this edition are the talented group of women and men who produce embroidery and honey in Texán de Palomeque, on page 4. On page 5 we introduce you to some lovely streets with architecture worth strolling by. Our family adventure invites you to feel at home right in Mérida. On page 9 you’ll meet Hermano Maya, a shaman in Izamal, and on page 14 you’ll meet local business Cryptorama Escape Rooms. The clock is ticking on your own escape adventure!
By Juanita Stein
Editorial Director
Read the magazine online.
Esta entrada también está disponible en: ES
You should call this Me´ridaToday as you pretty much ignore the east cost of the Yucatan.
Hello Juanita, For some time I have meant to write and let you know how much I’m enjoying your blog features. Facebook has seduced many bloggers away from regular posting, but I find blogging is just right for me – not too long but certainly more in depth than most social media sites – I don’t know if you have already done so, but maybe you could write a post about the blogs from Merida? I have moved away from writing exclusively about Merida goings-on, but some of the current blogs are extremely useful to travellers and new residents. I have Yucatan Today on my blogroll and from time to time, I get readers thanking me for sending them your way. Blog on!
Hola Joanna! It’s so nice to see your comment on our website! This monthly feature is my Letter from the Editor which we publish in the print magazine each month…I guess I am now a blogger too! I hadn’t thought of it this way! We publish the letter on our website each month along with all the new editorial features from the print magazine. I read your blog frequently and am grateful as always that you have Yucatán Today on your blogroll. Thank you so very much for taking the time to post your comment! As you navigate through our website you will see comments and questions from readers all over the world. The one thing we all have in common is our love for Yucatán!