La Casa de Montejo was built by Francisco de Montejo el Mozo in 1549, seven years after he completed the conquest of western Yucatan.
The Maya had never been part of a unified empire and were very scattered. The Spanish had to conquer slaughter them piecemeal, one small city at a time. They needed saving right? They needed catholicism right? they needed invasive diseases western diseases right?
Colonisation and the search for gold more like.
There were actually three conquistadors named Francisco de Montejo: the father, the son, and a nephew. What a wonderful family.
There are four tall windows along the front of the Casa. Each window is framed by two indigenous figures, one male one female. They support a lintel that contains a shield with the Montejo coat-of-arms. On top of the shield is a Spanish war helmet, and below it on either side, a sword. Interesting that the figures end at the waist.
Another facade above the front door, a figure supporting a pillar that leads up to the base of the balcony, a collection of cherub faces appear to stare out at the world in fear, in anguish; the platform on which el Mozo and his successors would have stood, with proud arrogance of the Spanish colonial rulers.
Descendants of the Montejo family lived in the house well into the 20th Century. These days the Casa is a museum with a number of rooms filled with artefacts of 18th and 19th Century furnishings. Not going in thank you; photography is not allowed.
Just some snaps that have no logical reason to be here other than I guess I like them
A courtyard, lovely ornate arches leading to a green haven of coolness and serenity
Russian sympathies
General Popo, inviting you in to his laundrette.
A former entrance to a pine tree store, christmas comes but once a year.
As does halloween.
Diaz Aguilar, fashion designer and haute couture established in 1915, but looks like not a lot happening since the school year of 20-21
Clever advertising for a nail bar , hands and feet.
So it was the last night not only in Merida but Central America full stop, so it was time to go for some "posh nosh" La Chay a Maya awaited. so helped down with copious amounts of various alcohol beverages the first course of Sopa de Lima was OK I guess.
Sopa de lima
Turkey broth with shredded fried tortillas, onion, tomato, sweet chili, shredded turkey, seasoned with the famous Yucatan limes.
Releno Negra.
Turkey and minced pork,in a spicy sauce made from a variety of blackened chillies and spices
Sounds good yes????
However!!! I have put some things in my mouth over the years, as the actress said to the bishop, but fucking hell nothing as foul and as disgusting as this shit in front of me! Seriously I think poo poo would actually taste nicer.
On paper it sounded wonderful
In reality one mouthful and that was it, and I nearly hocked that back up.
"Waiter three margaritas please and don't spare the tequilla"
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2).
Unless stated all images are shot by me, all text is mine based on various info sources. NOT AI generated.
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