Guest post by Dave O. Dodge
Relax, Rejuvenate and Rejoice…
These are words to live by when choosing a holiday south of the border. It is no secret that Mérida, the colonial city at the tip of the Yucatán peninsula has been making the news of late, scoring in the top 5 on many, must-places-to-see lists. When it comes to safety, economy and culture, these are just another set of words to describe this authentic walled city.
Mérida is one of the oldest cities this side of the pond. Founded in 1542 by Spanish explorer Francisco Monetjo, this picture perfect capital of the state of Yucatán just celebrated its 800th year birthday, complete with cake and fireworks. Yucatecans take their birthday celebrations very seriously, as they do Covid-19 protocols where rules are in place to ensure a healthy visit. Masking in public is a popular fashion statement while strolling the famed “Paseo de Montejo,” a mansion- and tree-lined boulevard fashioned after the Champs-Élysées in Paris, where construction began before its counterpart in France, which only adds to the mystical air of this thriving city of wealth and prestige.
Speaking of wealth, for many years, Mérida claimed to have more millionaires than any other city in the world around the turn of the last century. Fueled by the natural fiber of the Henequen plant, Sisal, it was the “green gold” that built over 1,200 haciendas with 75 miles of the giant 16th century cathedral that adorns the city’s main square. The owners of these huge plantations needed to live somewhere, so they all built mansions, each influenced from their roots in Europe. This took “keeping up with the Joneses” to new heights, with each family trying to out-do their neighbors. The Mérida of today is an architectural wonder, boasting the most structures of colonial buildings after Mexico City and Havana, Cuba, respectfully.
Relaxing under the Mayan sun helps one to rejuvenate before you can rejoice. Visit one of the many 5 star resorts that are fashioned from the ruins of the once beautiful haciendas. Experience a massage from a local Mayan healer in the center of an underground cave before dipping into the crystal clear waters of a fresh water cenote. A cenote is the Mayan god’s version of a natural vessel to the spirit world, so float away.
Next to the spiritual side of things, feed your soul with authentic Mayan cuisine, not to be confused with the Tex-Mex version of north-of-the-border cooking. This region that was so isolated from the rest of the country had to make do with what was readily available. Foods marinated in the juice of the sour orange, and slowly cooked in the ground wrapped in the banana leaf. The spices and the fusion of textures and tastes are nothing like any other place in the world. There is no shortage of fine restaurants in Mérida; the variety of eateries are as plentiful as the emerging chefs that open them.
Now it might be time to rejoice; that despite the current epidemic situation is still done. Social distancing and outside venues are the new norm these days. The choices for your drinking pleasure can found throughout the city; from the local cantinas, to the new boutique hotel rooftop bars to even an Irish pub, which is one of the most popular places to hang along the Paseo.
Ochenta y Dos [an urban bed & breakfast & spa] seems to have taken all three “R’s” to heart with their brand, bringing the art of hospitality to new heights. With a rooftop terrace for your sunbathing pleasure, one can relax with a signature cocktail while socially distancing. Rejuvenate after a therapeutic massage in their spa room, followed by a steam bath in a Mayan-inspired steam room. Even the water in their heated pool is supplied from an underground cenote, which is natural and refreshing. Their food is known throughout the city for charity parties and special dinners, but their breakfast served daily are a guest pleaser. One has to stay on property to experience any of these delights, billed as a private accommodation, since there is no business sign on the gate.
The last “R” that should not be overlooked is Reinvention. Entrepreneurs and former valley residents, Dave O. Dodge and his husband Patrick A. Greenwood (pictured below), built and developed their dream in Ochenta y Dos, which has been open for over 7 years.
They continually have been busy growing their brand and never slowing down. This past year when the world was at a stop-still, these two reinvented themselves once again. Patrick, an avid cook and baker, opened an in-home bakery. Dubbed, “The Shirtless Baker,” this marketing strategy paid off. His specialty is homemade English Muffins, which are not readily available in Mérida. His creativity paid off and his muffins have been a staple from the beach to the historic center.
Not to be out done by his husband, Dave dusted off an unfinished manuscript, a project he had toyed with over the years. As an avid travel writer for many years, he always knew he want to be a novelist. So Covid-19 comes along, the bed & breakfast is closed and out comes the laptop. The Seasons of Grace: The Unauthorized Backstory of Peyton Place, is his debut novel. He tells the story of infamous writer Grace Metalious and her life from poverty to the top of the literary world. Set in the 1950’s against the colorful back drop of New England, this book transports you there, with a sense of authenticity that only a local could write, mimicking at times the original author’s debut novel, Peyton Place.
Dave will be returning to Phoenix for his first personal appearance and book signing this Saturday, February 5th at Bookmans Entertainment on 19th Avenue starting at noon. He will be on hand signing books, and selling them. This is his first signing in the U.S., and based on the reviews it won’t be his last. His novel is available currently at select stores in Mérida, Mexico City and Phoenix. You can also find it on Amazon and Goodreads.
For more information on Mérida, Yucatán, go to Facebook: Merida-Now.
Visit www.meridabnb.com for more information on Ochenta y Dos [an urban bed & breakfast & spa] and The Shirtless Baker.
For information about Dave and his debut novel, go to “The Season of Grace” on Facebook and Instagram. His author website is www.daveododge.com
