Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatan. We had had a hard time deciding where to camp in Mérida. There were some places close to the old city centre, but the entrances sounded like they might be tight for our truck and camper. We ended up deciding on a campground on the northern edge of the city and we were happy with our choice.

There was no worker there when we arrived, just a sign telling us to call to arrange camping. The woman told us to park and she would be by later to collect the fee. Apparently her father had started the campground 50 years ago, but now, being surrounded by shopping malls, the land has been put up for sale. They are only marginally maintaining the campground, but it was quite large, and we had the place to ourselves the first night, so Piper was able to run without restrictions. The bathrooms were dated, but the toilets were clean AND they flushed.

This flag was HUGE.  It sometimes helped to provide shade for our camper.

We dropped off some laundry, and then headed to the mall in search of some good wifi. We were surprised to see a skating rink in the middle of the mall and a zamboni being run up and down the ice. When the machine was put away, a stream of young figure skaters of different ages poured onto the ice for some practice time.

Zamboni….in a mall….in Mexico.

The mall was very modern and we recognized a lot of store names from home.

We ended up going, of all places, to a Chili’s restaurant, a chain that can be found throughout Canada and the U.S. We sat and ate American food, had a pitcher of beer and got some internet chores done.

The next day we got Piper set up in the camper with water, a treat and the fans running and took the bus into the old town centre for a few hours. We headed for the main plaza, sat on a bench having a snack we had purchased at a bakery we had walked past, and were soon chatting with a local who works as a tour guide in the city. Part way into the conversation he started telling us about a store that sells hats made by Maya people, from sisal, and that the sisal also acts as mosquito repellent. We, being big hat wearers, were interested, and when I asked him again where the store was, he ended up escorting us to the little store. We both ended up with pretty spiffy looking new hats…..they were not cheap, but they are super lightweight, packable and are hand made. We will see if they help ward off mosquitos or not.

Derek looking sharp in his new hat.

We wandered around for a while longer, went in search of a store in which to buy natural peanut butter (we wanted just peanuts, no sugar), but it ended up being a wild goose chase. We then made our way to a restaurant that we had been told about when we were at the silver factory in Taxco, called La Negrita. We walked in and sat at a table by the window and ordered a drink, then began to look over the menu. Before long, a server came and delivered to us an array of small, little appetizers, compliments of the house each time you order a drink. It was a fun place.

Old town Merida.

We stopped here for a quick beer on our way to La Negrita.

To our surprise, we discovered that the restaurant is actually quite large. The restrooms were in the back and you had to walk through a large outdoor courtyard to get to them and the courtyard was packed with young people enjoying the food and the music.

Our spot inside La Negrita, when we still thought it was a small establishment.

Up next, more beach time.