As Christmas approaches....

Some of the beautiful architecture in downtown historic Merida.

We are only a few days away from our first Christmas in Mexico.....although Lowell is working that day!  

We have been here one full month now.  So far we are happy with our decision to buy a little casa in Mexico.  It is really a shame that Mexico is getting such bad press due to the border drug problems, and the illegal entry into the US in the border states.  We are very far from any border issues here, and life is very peaceful.  The Mayan and Mexican people we have contact with are lovely people, very quick to smile and make us feel welcome.

One of the large Christmas Trees on Paseo de Montejo boulevard.

This past weekend we stayed for Saturday night at our favorite downtown Merida hotel, the Luz en Yucatan.  This is our third stay there, and we feel like family there when we talk with the hotel staff, and Tom, the owner.  We went after Lowell got off work at 7:30 PM, so it was already around 9 PM when we arrived.  On our way downtown we drove down the Paseo de Montejo, the large boulevard in the center of the north end.  It is brightly decorated with large Christmas trees,  many over the street light displays, and tree trunks along side the road lit with the tiny white lights......a very festive scene. 

A dance routine at the Christmas Market on Saturday night.

Sunday morning we headed out for the "market" after breakfast.  We like to go see the real market where the locals shop, as well as the market at the Plaza Grande which is a big to-do on Sundays.  The Plaza Grande is a magnet for tourists and locals alike.  We were in search of traditional looking Mexican plates for the kitchen, but sadly we were unable to find them.  Most of the plates we saw were meant for decoration rather than eating.    But to walk through the huge market is really an adventure.  Everything is there...food, meat, clothing, shoes, belts, knick knacks, hardware....you name it!

Passers-by at one of the hammock shops downtown.

At the Plaza Grande, we saw children waiting their turn to talk to Santa, just like you'd see anywhere in the U.S.A.!

We went into one of the Mayan gift shops and saw a man working on a wall hanging...made with pure wool, and using the loom of olden times.  He will work for two weeks on this one hanging, and will probably charge $4000 pesos for it, which is about $320 US.

We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, and a New Year full of happiness and good health, and good surprises!