1st day in Valladolid

I am in love with Valladolid. And surprisingly, I am really enjoying Mexican food. It is so different from the stuff that you get in the states. Our first adventure was to visit Xkopek Parque. Xkopek is a conservation project for native bees and Mayan traditions. It is located 11 blocks south of the city center. It is a small oasis of greenery, with abundant native vegetation and fauna. The site contains a campground, swimming pool, some cabins, and a restaurant. We were given a tour where we learned about bees, sampled some food and honey. Bees native to Mexico do not sting. Stinging bees were brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. We were so enthralled with the place that after we went and visited a museum, we came back for lunch. I had enchiladas unlike any I’ve ever had in the states.

Bee hive inside a fallen log. The bees construct the tube as an entrance to the log.

Looking down into the cenote. A Cenote refers to an underground chamber or cave which contains permanent water. In other words, it is a natural sinkhole where the ceiling of the cave has collapsed. The word Cenote, which is pronounced as “seh-no-tay”, is a Spanish conversion of the Yucatec Maya word “D’zonot” or “Ts’onot”. This particular cenote is dry, because it no longer contains water.

Limon kaab bee hive which hangs from the ceiling. This bee does not produce honey. It produces a liquid tasting like lemon. The bee steals pollen from other bees.

The bark of the Ceiba tree. Fascinating protrusions.

Ceiba tree. Sacred to Mayans. It is hollow inside. Mayans believed that the dead go up through the tree on the way to the after life.

Sauces for our tortilla tasting. The one on the left is made from plantains, and it was scrumptious.

Honey tasting. There were bees swarming all around us. Luckily, these are non-stinging bees.

Our next stop was the Museo de Ropa Etnica de Mexico (Mexican ethnic clothing museum). Here are some samples of the clothing that we saw.

This map shows different styles of clothing in the different parts of Mexico. The Yucatán peninsula has the clothing most influenced by the Spaniards.

Terno de mestiza de Yucatán. Hecho con punto de cruz

Outfit of the Parachico from Chiapa de Corzo

Fighting tiger costume from Acatian, Guerrero

Outfit of the China Pobiana. Made with sequins.

The museum also had a number of masks on display.

Tapestry with themes from various cultures

Here are some pictures of some of the buildings in Valladolid.

Before dinner, we went to the Central Plaza or park of Valladolid. It is only a few blocks from our house. We were pleasantly surprised with free entertainment. It is Carnival season here. There’s lots of noise and celebration.