Food, national holidays and history

Yesterday we visited the Slow Food Market in Mérida. It is a small market that is found on Ave Colon and Ave Reforma (Calle 72) and is open Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Some interesting food stalls and music. We enjoyed it a bought a quiche and some veggies. Very gringo-esque but nice to be able to speak some English with other people :) We are learning a lot of Spanish, but far from being in any way competent...

Herman made a short video of the live entertainment:

Tomorrow is May 1st and together with many countries all over the world, Mexico is celebrating Labour Day. In Mexico it is a compulsory national day of rest and most stores and all schools will be closed.

Its origin was an ancient European spring festival, which reminded me that I was in a musical in elementary school called May-Day in Welladay, which is about this ancient celebration.

However the current labour day celebration was as a result of the 8 hour movement who advocated 8 hours to work and 8 hours to rest.

Friday is Cinco de Mayo, which is not celebrated much in this region, however it is a big day in Pueblo where they celebrate the victory over Napoleon III. It is not actually Mexican independence day as some people believe.

Mexican Independence from the Spaniards is celebrated on September 16. It commemorates not the day when independence was declared but when Miguel Hidalgo cried out against the Spanish oppression in the small town of Dolores and is referred to as the "Cry of Dolores" of 1810.