“…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.

 

 

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