Domingo en Merida

Sunday is quite the day here in Merida! This is an area with over a million people and I think they were all in the center today! We spent hours in the main park 'people watching'. There were arts & craft stands set up around the perimeter of the city-block sized center square with food stands and plastic tables on the city street between the park & cathedral. We sampled the artists' work and the tamales.
Today we also ventured to the market for artisans two blocks to the south of the center square & it was packed with families! When we came out of the maze of shops I was turned around heading further south rather than back to the square. I soon discovered my mistake and we swung around. Boy, we were overstimulated by sounds, smells & the mass of human life by the time we found our place back on the park bench!!
One amazing part of today was the street party happening in the St. Lucia Square 1/2 block from our hotel. It had started with music as we went to breakfast & finally ended with dancing to a live band right around 8:30 pm. All day long, music has been blasting out of that square to which many older couples have danced the day away. We enjoyed watching after our supper while a handsome boy of 13 practiced his English skills with Keith.
Luckily we have had many special interactions with local people here so far. From people on the street to shop owners, the owner of the restaurant last night to the waiters this morning (who made me a flower from napkins & doodled a cartoon face on another, the hotel help & other folks enjoying the day out, this is a friendly place. One place I will highly recommend!
Tomorrow we plan to rent a car and drive south to the Puuc region to explore Mayan Ruins. I'll be taking more pictures there!!