Currently viewing the tag: "Valladolid"
This is our Lady of Guadalupe who guards the front door to our home.
December 12th is the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe. Derived from the catholic religion, Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Virgin of Guadalupe is seen everywhere in Mexico from candles in people’s windows to statues on cabbies dashboards to full alters in front of homes. Some believe her to be a darker skinned version of the Madonna or the Virgin Mary, who was first introduced to the culture by Cortez. While other believe that she was a vision seen by a Catholic clergymen in the 16th century.
Leading up to December 12th the “Guadalupeans” show their devotions to the virgin by praying, biking, running, walking and illuminating their home alters. In central Mexico those that worship Our Lady of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basílica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. People in the Yucatan that do not have resources or time to do this so they show their devotion through long, grueling journeys.
On our most recent trip to Valladolid we saw dozens of groups of young men and a few girls biking through the city.
We then returned to Puerto Morelos to find a parade leading to our own church right past the square. On December 12th devotees will flock to churches and homes throughout the country for masses. The mass will be followed by a celebration and as always in Mexico, a large meal. The tale of Guadalupe runs deep within the Mexican culture and there have been many books written about it for children and adults alike. For the quickie version of the tale, check out Wikipedia or Smart History. They tell very two different stories.
Recently I have opened my email to find some of my favourite locations in Mexico being featured in spring fashion layouts.
Club Monaco is doing collaborations this season with many designers including Valladolid’s own Francesca Bonato and Nicolas Malleville of Coqui Coqui Hotel, Spa and Perfumes. You can read Francesca and Nicolas’ story in this article about the New York Times a few years ago.
Their chic collection has a distinct Yucatecan flair with just a hint of beach thrown in. It is called Hacienda Montaecristo. Named after their hacienda in the Yucatan.
Literally right next door to them in Valladolid is Dutzi Design. Duzti makes handbags out of recycled materials using local Mayan artisans. Her work was recently featured at Shop Latitude.
And just the other day I opened my mail to find this fashion layout for Anthropologie featuring the amazing city of Guanajato as the background. You can check out their video here. It is great to see some of these spectacular location being used.
Photos by Club Monaco, Dutzi & Anthropologie
Casa de los Venados (House of the Deer) in Valladolid is not to be missed.
Owners John and Dorianne Venator have an amazing collection of Mexican art that they have hand picked from all over the country. The collection became so large that they needed to find the perfect space for it.
The couple spent eight and half years remodeling a colonial home in Valladolid to house the collection. The home is something to see on it’s own, but ad in the amazing art collection and you are in for a treat.
Although it is their private residence the couple opens their home to the public everyday at 10:00am for tours, in both English and Spanish, of the more than 3,000 pieces of the collection. In return for the tour they ask for a small donation which goes to a local charity.
Whenever we have a chance to sneak away to Valladolid in the Yucatan, we do. This little city is quickly becoming a trendy, hip place to hang out thanks to businesses like Coqui Coqui Spa & Perfumes that make their own scents and candles or Dutzi Bags that make high end handbags sewn by local Mayan woman using recycled materials and our favourite restaurants Conato 1910.
Monastery of San Bernardino de Siena
Valladolid played a huge role in the Caste War of the Yucatan making it one of the major historical sites of the area.
With tons of history, art, culture, cenotes and great food, Valladolid is not to be missed if you are traveling through this area. Check back this week as I will post more on this cultural hot spot.
