Merida, Mexico: Sweat, Churros, and a Whole Lotta Confusion

okay, so. merida. where do i even begin? i just checked and it’s…a humid hug right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, the air just sticks to you. i’m a touring drummer, you know? I’m used to sweaty gigs, but this is a different level. like, a whole new ecosystem of sweat.

I was supposed to be here for, like, a week. scouting locations for a potential indie film project - think quirky, vibrant, a little bit off-kilter. and merida is that. it’s just…more than i bargained for. the colors are insane, the architecture is gorgeous, and the food? don’t even get me started on the food. I’ve eaten more churros in the last three days than I have in my entire life.

I’m staying in this little Airbnb near Parque de las Américas. it’s…rustic. let’s go with rustic. the shower pressure is questionable, and i’m pretty sure i heard a gecko having a full-blown argument with a cockroach last night. but hey, it’s cheap, and it’s got a balcony where i can watch the world go by.

Speaking of the world going by… the people here are something else. everyone’s so friendly, so welcoming. but also, everyone seems to have a story. I overheard this guy at a cafe, ranting about a lost treasure and a cursed Mayan artifact. I’m not saying he was crazy, but… he was really into it.

“He kept saying, ‘The jade serpent guards the entrance! You must appease it with… with… marigolds!’ I think he’d had a few too many micheladas.”

I’ve been trying to get my bearings, you know? figure out the best spots to hang out, the best places to eat. I stumbled upon this amazing little taqueria - El Trapiche - completely by accident. Seriously, the tacos al pastor are life-changing. Someone told me that the owner’s grandmother invented the recipe. Apparently, it’s a closely guarded family secret. I’m tempted to offer my drumming skills in exchange for the recipe, but i doubt that would work.

I’ve been wandering around, taking photos (obviously - I’m a photographer, after all). The architecture is just begging to be photographed. All those colonial buildings, the vibrant colors, the intricate details… it’s a photographer’s dream. I’m trying to capture the feeling of the place, you know? The energy, the chaos, the… the humidity.

If you get bored, Valladolid and Chichen Itza are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of taking a day trip to Chichen Itza tomorrow. I heard that it gets really crowded, so I’m planning to get there early. I’m also packing a lot of water.

“A local warned me about the vendors at Chichen Itza. Apparently, they’re relentless. ‘They’ll sell you a fake Mayan artifact before you can say ‘cenote!’”

I’ve been trying to find some decent coffee. It’s… a challenge. I’m a bit of a coffee snob, okay? I need my pour-over, my single-origin beans, my perfectly steamed milk. So far, I’ve mostly been drinking instant coffee. It’s not ideal, but it’s keeping me alive. I did find one place that claims to have “artisanal coffee.” I’ll let you know how that goes. Check out this coffee shop review on TripAdvisor.

Honestly, merida is a bit overwhelming. It’s beautiful, it’s vibrant, it’s full of life… but it’s also chaotic, confusing, and incredibly humid. I’m not sure if i’ll stay for the whole week. Maybe i’ll just hop on a bus and see where it takes me. I’m thinking of checking out some of the local markets. Yelp has some good recommendations. Or maybe i’ll just find another churro stand.

I’m also looking for some local musicians to jam with. If you know anyone… hit me up! Check out this local music board.

Okay, i’m gonna go find some shade and try to dry off. Wish me luck.