Ixmatkuil!

I went to the fair!

The fair is in Ixmatkuil and the first thing was to learn to say it.

Fried Twinkies and Automobiles

(Eesh –maht-QUILL).

Fairs have not changed all that much in Yucatan in the past 160 years. At least, that’s my opinion. I am reading a book by John Stephens, Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, published first in 1645 and then republished in 1963. Mr. Stephens writes that the fairs in Yucatan are different from others he has visited. There is much more emphasis on buying and selling products. After my memories of salad spinners, magic liquids to keep fog off one’s glasses, and fried Twinkies at the Fairbanks Alaska fair, I didn’t know what to expect. People here in Merida kept mentioning that there was so much to buy at the fair. I found metal buckets, automobiles, clothing, shoes, and handicrafts and more.

The usual exhibits of animals and some farm products were there, no quilts or home made jams. Lots of games, rides and stuff for children. Restaurants and fast food stalls, a gambling casino and the usual activities of a fair.

The group from LaIberica, where I attend the mental gymnastics class traveled on three buses – about 100 women and 10 men. We started by crossing ourselves before the trip left. Here in Mexico, people cross themselves and then kiss their thumb. I wonder about the significance of this but have never learned why they do it. When I was a child, my Irish aunts taught me to cross myself whenever I passed a church but not the kissing the thumb part. I guess that is just a Mexican thing.

Then, the prayers started. Memories of bus trips to basketball games and saying the rosary before we could talk resurfaced but there were only two short prayers his time.

The finale at the fair was the visit to Coca-Cola – an air-conditioned theater with a play about Anastasia, the lost Russian princess. If the music is good, louder is better, the best is the loudest. That is the attitude here and we heard the LOUDEST music through out. The actors had recorded their lines and lip synched, so we could hear everything including the music.

Incredible lighting and smoke and blowing ¨leaves¨ from the ceiling. It reminded me of a play I saw once n a Japanese spa. Full of twists and special effects. Truly an incredible experience.

The way back was through the southern part of Merida, where I rarely go. One woman told me it was mal. (A bad part of the city) Since I had a book launch party, they dropped me off before getting back to LaIberica and the huge loud goodbye from all remaining on the bus was a good way to end this day at the fair.

The book, Living in Merida, has lots of practical suggestions about settling in here. It is similar to one published in San Miguel and they are already planning a second edition.

All in all, a good day.