Valladolid, Part 2

This truly was my favorite town of the Yucatan... see explanations accompanying the photos:

Of all the city "block signs" (not sure what else you would call them, but these iconic letters seem to be a common--and quite charming-- feature of all the cities and towns I have thus far visited in Mexico), this was the most elaborate and beautiful. In the background: the convent of San Bernandino de Siena. 

Home to the Franciscan order, this convent is one of the oldest of the colonial complex of such structures on the Yucatan peninsula. It was built in the 1500's. 

Although a little foreboding, I really did appreciate the somber majesty of this ancient relic 

Ornate as always, this altar pays tribute to the founder of the order: Saint Frances

The majestic altar of the convent's church

Inside an alcove of the church: Virgin Mary, or....?

The interior corridors and rooms were all this lovely red-orange color

In contrast to the dark and somber inner courtyard, the exterior grounds were green and lovely! I could envision the monks there, strolling along the lawns and pathways, deeply immersed in philosophical discourse!

This lovely, elaborate structure contained the well from which the order got all of its water

 What would any adventure in the Yucatan be without the requisite iguana!?!? These guys were prolific along the outer walls of the convent, apparently making their homes in the cracks between the stones. Plus, the mossy-ness of the wall provides good camouflage, as you can see! 

On another day, Julie and I took off on our cruiser bikes (upright, one-speed-- good when flat, as this town mostly was!), exploring the Valladolid neighborhoods and smaller villages on the outskirts. As with everywhere in Mexico, there is a vast dichotomy between those with wealth (and the subsequent, fancy homes built with that wealth) and the shacks that the poorer people live in. We got a taste of it all as we toured on the bikes.  But first, a look at our own, humble abode, where we stayed for the 5 days we were in town: 

This was the front of our Airbnb... fairly middle class, I would say! Our hosts, Felipe and Mary, added many nice touches that we enjoyed. 

Julie and I each had this room for two nights; the second room not being nearly so nice and much noisier (too close to the street). Not sure why you would want a hammock inside your bedroom...but there you have it! Mexico/Mexicans have some delightful idiosyncrasies! I LOVED the gaudy headboard, and the fact that the housekeeper molded the bath towels into two swans... how fabulous is that!?!?

The living and dining room! Colorful and traditional furniture from the region, but not terribly comfortable!

Our hosts took us to dinner at a local vegan restaurant...wasn't great food but DID very much enjoy the company! Mary and Felipe were incredibly lovely, though their young son was a bit of a terror! The other, young woman is Mary's niece. None of them spoke English... thank goodness for Google translator and sign language! (well, OK, I CAN communicate SOME things with my pathetic Spanish...!) 

On to the extremely charming, historical district of the city: happily, only a 10 min. bike ride from our Airbnb: 

Mexicans love their garish Christmas decorations every bit as much as Americans! Since they don't have the marker of Thanksgiving to start putting them up, we were seeing Christmasy stuff on display as early as the first week of November. 

Okaaay....not QUITE sure what the idea was behind this design... an opportunity for a woman to be coy with her suitor, perhaps?!? Saw these everywhere in parks here! 

The center of town..... the benches made a complete circle facing outward, as if in preparation for a fun game of musical benches! Someone clearly thought they were being stylish and clever and the city planners evidently agreed! Go figure...it's Mexico! 

The granddaddy of churches: as always, in the center of town.

Those oh-so-lovely old churches, so prolific in every Mexican town, and each one so unique and beautiful! 

On to the more affluent residential area... pretty, but not as charming as the old architecture, in my humble opinion. 

Most happily and purely by accident, Julie and I stumbled upon a bicycle path--a rarity, it seems to me! Of course, we DID have to share it with motorbikes, but at least they were fairly considerate of cyclists. 

Julie, making some adjustment to her bike. As you can see, the path was shady and quite pleasant to ride along! Valladolid was quite warm, to be sure... 

The bike path lead to some smaller, very humble villages, where poor people clearly did their best to eek out a living. Here, thatched roofs were quite common, as were corrugated tin roofs and siding. 

A hot but otherwise supremely perfect day for a ride! 

Not sure what this structure was before it was gutted--by a fire, perhaps?--but it was quite picturesque, to be sure. 

Not untypical of a poor person's dwelling in the small villages

All in all, a wonderful few days. After we left Valladolid, we took the bus--always ADO in the Yucatan!--onward to Merida, close to the Gulf of Mexico... so no more Caribbean! (Well, actually, we DID return to it at the end, when coming back to finish out our trip in Cancun, and completing our tour circuit.) 

 See the next blog posting...