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sfmacaws

Jan 28, 2007, 4:04 PM

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Mérida the beautiful

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I have loved this city since the first time I came here. I have loved it when it is muggy, steamy, hotter than hades and when even a minute in direct sun sucks the air out of you. But this, this is not fair. This beautiful Sunday afternoon with the sun shining, puffy white clouds, 74° temperatures and humidity like Los Angeles, cool breezes catching you every few minutes...unfair!

We drove down to the centro and walked around for a couple of hours. We ate great street food, elote entero con crema, queso y chile + tamales + churros, all the streets around the catedral were pedestrian only, we people watched and just ambled around. Traffic was minimal, it was Sunday, and afterwards we drove around to look at some colonias I had been reading about. Really nice, wide streets with trees and the occasional small park. We stopped at CostCo and instead of getting shoved and jammed with carts, people actually smiled and let others by. I think I fell through the looking glass again.

There are house tours on Wednesdays, I may go on one. This city has always pulled me, kind of like San Francisco did when I first went there. I don't have another 30 years to give a city though and I'm not sure I could ever be faithful to one city again. I'm definitely tempted though.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

roni_smith

Feb 1, 2007, 1:29 PM

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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I certainly enjoyed our few days there, and would love to go back......but I also feel Colima calling me and I have never been there :)

From Merida:

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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

Bubba

Feb 1, 2007, 4:41 PM

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Re: [roni_smith] Mérida the beautiful

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Except for Merida´s magnificent historical center, Colima is a more attractive town, in my opinion but not nearly as sophisticated. Merida´s mainly rundown residential areas are a disappointment outside of the historic center as is the overrated Paseo de Montejo. The city´s residential parks and greenery can´t hold a candle to Colima for the most part. The countryside around Colima is spectacular and there are wonderful towns around the city, the countryside around Merida is flat scrub forest of little interest but there are wonderful towns and ruins beyond comparison in its environs. I like both places for different reasons but, despite these negatives as I see them, Merida is a far more important town both historically and at present. I would always choose Merida over Colima to visit or live in for many reasons. Both have hot humid climates so that is not the issue.

Colima has some of the most beautiful garden plazas downtown that I have seen in Mexico but these two cities are not in the same league.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Feb 1, 2007, 5:00 PM)

roni_smith

Feb 1, 2007, 5:48 PM

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Re: [Bubba] Mérida the beautiful

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Thank you for the note Bubba. I appreciated it.
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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

roni_smith

Feb 1, 2007, 6:01 PM

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Re: [roni_smith] Mérida the beautiful

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Have been doing some reporting and photo posting on Merida/Celestun part of the trip on Meridainsider- Visiting Merida thread
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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

sfmacaws

Feb 1, 2007, 7:19 PM

Post #6 of 25 (5482 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Mérida the beautiful

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[earlier Jonna said]
This city has always pulled me, kind of like San Francisco did when I first went there. I don't have another 30 years to give a city though and I'm not sure I could ever be faithful to one city again. I'm definitely tempted though.

Well, I did it! I may not have 30 more years to give this city but I put an offer on a house and it was accepted so I'm going to be very involved in a major renovation soon. Much like Bubba and Sra Bubba, I will be finding my way through a maze of design, demolition and rebuilding. Hoo Boy!

Actually, I'm incredibly stoked, I'm interested, fascinated, excited and looking forward to all of it. Part of the reason is that I found an architect that I adore, whose every other project fits my taste to a T and who spent half a day at this house with me today and is excited about the renovation.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

bournemouth

Feb 1, 2007, 7:29 PM

Post #7 of 25 (5478 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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How about doing a renovation blog with lots of photos, so we can all follow it along the way.

yucatandreamer

Feb 1, 2007, 8:05 PM

Post #8 of 25 (5472 views)

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Congratulations!

Bubba

Feb 1, 2007, 8:20 PM

Post #9 of 25 (5469 views)

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Well, I did it! I may not have 30 more years to give this city but I put an offer on a house and it was accepted so I'm going to be very involved in a major renovation soon. Much like Bubba and Sra Bubba, I will be finding my way through a maze of design, demolition and rebuilding. Hoo Boy!

Congratulations Jonna. We also have outstanding architects who have made our San Cristóbal project a pleasure. I don´t know how extensive your renovation will be but we basically gutted the San Cristóbal house and are rebuilding the thing without any design modifications except internal design and structural improvements. That´s OK as we were buying the spot in the old colonial center more than anything else.

Hurry up and finish so we´ll have an excuse to come to Merida and toast your success with a couple of Cuba Libres.

How exciting.

sfmacaws

Feb 1, 2007, 9:41 PM

Post #10 of 25 (5456 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Mérida the beautiful

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I think I will start a record of the reno, considering how it looks now it should be a startling difference.

Thank you Yucatan Dreamer, we're on calle 67 between 68 and 70 in the centro.

The reno will be extensive. There are nice pasta tiles in 2 rooms that will be saved, there are wood and morter ceilings in all of the old building except the entry and garage where they put up some kind of stucco that will come down. There is a series of rooms that were added on to the back of the house sometime in the 1950s that will be demolished. The rest of the house is from the late 1800s/beginning of 1900s, I'll know more on that later.

We are adding a second story with a master suite, bath and terrace that overlooks the downstairs terrace which will go where those newer buildings are now. There will be a large covered patio along the terrace and a pool behind that. All electrical and plumbing will be new. Kitchen and 2 baths will be new. Floors in all but the 2 rooms will be new. Front of building will be returned to its colonial look with new front door and new garage door as well.

The walls are around 2' thick, they will be chiseled out and the electric will be put in the walls inside pvc conduit. All new lighting.

It's a big job. I would be overwhelmed without this architect.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

roni_smith

Feb 1, 2007, 10:10 PM

Post #11 of 25 (5452 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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Congrats you guys!!

It is good, I think, to know people who know good architects in several different cities in Mexico :-).

Kathy and I look forward to seeing your new house!!
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Planning for Mexico Move Blog

Papirex

Feb 1, 2007, 10:28 PM

Post #12 of 25 (5448 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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My God Jonna, What’s wrong with you? Don’t you realize you can’t drink the water there, all the medicine is fake, and the low octane gas has grit in it? Smile

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

sfmacaws

Feb 1, 2007, 11:49 PM

Post #13 of 25 (5445 views)

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Re: [RexC] Mérida the beautiful

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Heh! You're kidding me? This is just LA south isn't it? Oh dear!

I did put up some pics on a rudimentary page that I took from an email I sent family. I show the good stuff first, other houses that the same architect has renovated that show ideas he has for this one. I figured I would scare them less if they saw that first.

Then, a lot of pics as it is now. It's intimidating and exciting both. See what you think.

http://www.baddog.com/...use/meridahouse.html

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Papirex

Feb 2, 2007, 12:21 AM

Post #14 of 25 (5443 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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It looks like a lot of work ahead, but the place has real possibilities and I’m sure it will be beautiful when the renovation is complete.

To hell with the grit in the gas, I think you will be happy there.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

bournemouth

Feb 2, 2007, 6:53 AM

Post #15 of 25 (5429 views)

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Watching you guys do this renovation is going to be fun - more fun for us probably, as we don't have to worry about what is happening, how to pay for it all etc. The place looks wonderfully full of potential and I love the floors.

Have your minds gone ahead to furniture yet? How does one furnish a house of this style in the climate of Merida so that one is comfortable and cool?

yucatandreamer

Feb 2, 2007, 7:33 AM

Post #16 of 25 (5422 views)

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You have chosen the most popular architect in Merida, probably because he is one of the best and does beautiful homes. Plan to have the job take about twice a long as he tells you it will take. This is normal and those people who relax and go with that time frame have an enjoyable renovation experience. The others get frustrated, angry, and impossible to be around. The second home you posted on your site is owned by friends and it was a long time in the making. Luckily they were not living here yet and were able to just let it come together.

There is a NAFTA get together at the library tonight where you can meet other extranjeros if that is to your liking. My husband Greg will be taking your money for drink tickets so introduce yourself.

The furniture that was mentioned is a challenge but there will be lots of time to look. Henry knows people for fine antiques and there is a good guy(Julio) on 72 x73 y 75 that restores and creates nice pieces. You can get names as you go along for great cast iron people and other artisans. One of the great things about these old homes is that they really don't need much in the way of furniture, just the essentials.

hopalog

Feb 2, 2007, 7:49 AM

Post #17 of 25 (5417 views)

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I honestly cannot tell you how absolutely jealous I am. I have been looking at homes in Merida since Ciudad Valles. I remember that one. I am SO jealous! :)

IIRC, the Working Gringoes mentioned that many of the original homes are built with stone from the Mayan pyramids and residences. So the thick walls are stones from ancient Mayan ruins. That, in and of itself, would sell me. :)

So, where are the bedrooms for the kids? Oh, and we need space for the trailer! :)

(did you see (in person) the house with the (can't remember the name in spanish) carriage entrance? I've been thinking about that one...

Hell's Half Acre

Flickrlicious

Ed and Fran

Feb 2, 2007, 8:16 AM

Post #18 of 25 (5412 views)

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From the webpage: "Big covered patio with furniture and dining table and maybe macaw cages ;) If and when we move in, we will probably import the birds into Mx."

Does that mean you'll be changing your nom de plum to "MeridaMacaws"? ;-)

Congrats. Sounds exciting.

Regards

Ed & Fran

sfmacaws

Feb 2, 2007, 10:20 AM

Post #19 of 25 (5388 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] Mérida the beautiful

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Well, I woke up this morning and I'm still happy about it. That's good.

We are in the process of canceling a dentist appt in Playa and would love to come to the NAFTA (?) thing tonight at the library, what time?

We have a couple things going for us in this reno. We already have a condo in QRoo and it is only about 5 hours away, less by car. There is still a very nice RV park in Merida that is pretty close in, in a good neighborhood and convenient. It's next door to the Liverpool on the Progresso road. So, we can stay here in Merida whenever we want pretty painlessly and we can get here fairly quickly if we are in Mexico. We may have to fly in occasionally from the US this spring and summer though.

We've developed our patience over the years owning a place in Akumal and we are pretty good at life at a slower pace and very approximate scheduling. Who wants to move fast when it is hot? and, what is the hurry anyway?

We won't be selling the condo in the near future so we'll have options to city life.

At some point we will have to find secure storage for the RV but that's way down the road and shouldn't be difficult.

Yes, Henry is very busy from what I could see. Still, he made time to spend almost all afternoon with us and he has a very infectious enthusiasm for this renovation. I think that it helps a lot that he is from Merida and that he so clearly loves these old houses. I'm sure it could have been done very well by someone else but I so loved all of his renovations, and they all look very similar, and I liked him a lot as well. So, we'll pay a little more probably for his firm to do it but I am confident that I will like the results.

I'm so far from buying furniture that I haven't given it much thought. I have thought that I want some built in cabinets in the guest room/study. I am also looking at how to get storage in kitchen and bath without closing it off and getting mildew. Henry has a furniture store here in Merida as well and he designs and makes furniture. We'll see. Right now I'm busy moving money and trying to get it purchased, that's my first job.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

yucatandreamer

Feb 2, 2007, 1:04 PM

Post #20 of 25 (5361 views)

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When I mentioned Merida English Library I assumed that you might know where it was. Sorry! It is almost my neighbor and was one of the main reasons I chose Merida. This of course would not be as valuable a resource for someone who travels. For me it is a lifesaver and worth checking out for anyone who moves to or visits Merida. For the visitor there are used English books for sale and information on various other aspects of the town. It is located on Calle 53 between 66 and 68. It is open from 9am-1 Monday through Friday 10am to 1 Saturday. Monday6:30pm to 9pm,Tuesday and Thursday Evenings from 4 to 7pm. There is a fledgling lecture series, an intercambio Spanish/ English on Monday nights, a children's story hour on Saturday morning and is the host of a get together on the first Friday of every other month. The phone number is 999-924-8401 and there is a web site at www.meridaenglishlibrary.com. A family yearly membership is 300 pesos and it is a darned good library with lots to read on many subjects. Mayanists should check out our collection of scholarly work on the Maya.

(This post was edited by yucatandreamer on Feb 2, 2007, 1:06 PM)

sfmacaws

Feb 2, 2007, 3:54 PM

Post #21 of 25 (5339 views)

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Re: [yucatandreamer] Mérida the beautiful

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I found the web page and I am very impressed, it seems like a great resource. We are meeting Nelio and Pati there tonight and I will say hello to Greg for sure.

Thanks,

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

NEOhio1

Feb 6, 2007, 3:27 PM

Post #22 of 25 (5266 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] Mérida the beautiful

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I can read your excitement hope you can feel mine!! It has fabulous fun written in every corner and the hallway, wow, I like that hallway.

(This post was edited by NEOhio1 on Feb 6, 2007, 3:33 PM)

sfmacaws

Feb 6, 2007, 5:52 PM

Post #23 of 25 (5246 views)

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Re: [NEOhio1] Mérida the beautiful

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You could ride 2 horses abreast down the hallway with room for them to dance. I love that hallway too. Heh! Maybe I'll get some of those shuffleboard sticks so Bubba can come over and we can pretend we are in a trailer park in south Texas.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

2mexico

Feb 10, 2007, 11:07 AM

Post #24 of 25 (5203 views)

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Boy, Jonna - you've really stirred up things here. We have been considering split life in the the US and Lake Chapala, or possibly just going to live lakeside full time, but seeing you find this place in Merida and embark on your project has rekindled our similar dream, which began around six years ago when we first visited the White City.

There were various reasons we got derailed and have floundered around the US for the past several years, but Merida is definitlely back on the radar now. Expect us there sometime before June to look around with a fresh perspective, and check out your project.

I guess it took a historically bad winter here in Northern Colorado to make a tropical climate seem like a good alternative...

(This post was edited by stanwolf on Feb 10, 2007, 11:14 AM)

sfmacaws

Feb 10, 2007, 1:00 PM

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Re: [stanwolf] Mérida the beautiful

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Brrrrr! That's a whole different kind of white city! I like mine better.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán