Show notes generated by AI:

In this episode, the host talks about their recent trip to Merida, the capital of the Mexican state called Yucatan. They discuss the city's location, population, and safety. They also learn about syncretism - the practice of combining different beliefs in various schools of thought - and how it applies to the city's mix of Mayan culture and Spanish influence. The host shares interesting facts about the city's history, including how the Spanish disassembled Mayan buildings to build their cathedrals and how the same was done with Aztec pyramids in Mexico City.

The host cited this article, one of many where Merida is ranked as one of the safest cities in the world: https://ceoworld.biz/2019/08/01/the-worlds-safest-cities-ranking-2019/

Time stamps:

[00:01:11] Syncretism in Merida.

[00:06:06] Cave diving in cenotes.

[00:09:58] Merida: Second Favorite City.

Notable quotes:

00:02:26 - "cochinita pibil is pork. The Mayans take the pig, marinate it in a citrus juice from bitter oranges, add a nato seed, also known as achiote, which is the same spice used in al pastor, which gives the meat that burnt orange color, and then roasting the meat in a pib, p-i-i-b, which is basically a bed of coals underground, an earth oven, if you will."
00:03:33 - "Many of my Mexican friends have told me that the Yucatan has the best food in Mexico, and I'm inclined to agree."
00:06:45 - "I'd almost forgotten how much I love diving. It was awesome."
00:09:50 - "I'd rank it as my second favorite behind, of course, Mexico City."

Keywords:

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, syncretism, Mayan culture,tostadas, tacos, Yucatan, Mayan language, Merida, Cancun, bike rentals, bike lane, hot weather, cenotes,cave diving, cenotes, scuba diving, Merida airport, temporary residency,flight, Merida, Mexico City, expats, gringo landia

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Merida, 🇲🇽

With Ross