Summary

The text recounts the author and Brother Steve's discovery of vibrant Mexican culture and community life that comes alive in the evenings in Santiago Plaza, Mérida, Yucatán, through their personal experiences and Stephen F. Dennstedt's evocative photography.

Abstract

In "Mexicans Come Out At Night — An Evening in Santiago Plaza," the author shares a travel story about the revelatory experience of exploring Santiago Plaza in Mérida, Yucatán, during the cool evening hours. Initially perplexed by the apparent absence of locals during the day, the author and Brother Steve, a world traveler and photographer, found that the plaza transformed into a hub of social activity at night. The narrative, accompanied by Stephen F. Dennstedt's captivating images, describes the joyous community gatherings, traditional celebrations, and the simple pleasure of locals enjoying their evening routines. The author reflects on the wisdom of the Mexicans' preference for evening outings, which aligns with their own childhood memories of community bonding in the United States. The text highlights the enchanting atmosphere of the plaza, with families and people of all ages engaging in various activities, from children chasing pigeons to teens courting and adults enjoying each other's company. The author also details the thrilling spectacle of fireworks and miniature hot air balloons, adding to the magical experience of Mexican nightlife.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the Mexican tradition of evening socialization, considering it a smarter way to avoid the daytime heat and humidity.
There is a sense of nostalgia in the author's tone, drawing parallels between the community spirit in Santiago Plaza and that of 1950s America.
The author is captivated by the authenticity and vibrancy of the local culture, as evidenced by the descriptions of the celebrations and the emphasis on the lack of tourists in the area.
The author conveys a deep appreciation for Stephen F. Dennstedt's photography, which not only enhances the storytelling but is also a testament to the richness of their travel experiences.
The author and Brother Steve are depicted as active participants in the local customs, showing a genuine interest in and respect for the Mexican way of life.
The use of direct quotes from Brother Steve's blog adds a personal touch and underscores the authenticity of their experiences, suggesting a shared sense of wonder and enjoyment.

THINGS I FORGOT TO SHOW YOU

Mexicans Come Out At Night — An Evening in Santiago Plaza

A travel story

Brother Steve and I traveled the world for 7–1/2 years, beginning in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico in April of 2012.

The Yucatán Calls

Article 1 — October 01, 2022

medium.com

His photographs embellish every travel story I write.

I have neglected to show you some things along the way.

I’m making up for that now.

We kept wondering where all the Mexicans were.

In August of 2012, we were living in our Casa del Jaguar in Mérida in the Colonia de Santiago.

Like idiots, we ventured out mostly in the daytime.

The Mexicans are much smarter.

They venture out mostly in the evening and at nighttime.

We found this out after one particularly hot and humid day when we decided to wander out in the cool of the evening to see what we could see.

We made our way to our own personal little plaza (Mexico is all about the plazas), where we found to our delight a community gathering of neighborhood friendliness we’d experienced in the States only during childhood.

From Steve’s Blog:

We went up to the Mercado at Plaza de Santiago for dinner (like we do about 4 nights a week) eating with the locals (no gringos), but this time we went about two hours later than usual, 7 pm instead of 5 pm. We had a nice dinner of Enchiladas Rojas and Empanadas, and a couple of ice-cold Cokes in the old green bottles (not plastic). We took along a couple of Cohiba Habana Puros (Cuban cigars) to smoke in the Plaza after dinner. A nice breeze was blowing; we listened to the music and people-watched.

Mexicans also love to celebrate.

Pretty much anything and everything.

This evening, we have the pleasure to watch young girls in beautifully handcrafted native dresses entertain us with a kind of parade of dancing.

From Steve’s Blog:

At about 8 pm, in front of the Church, they started firing off handmade bottle rockets (about 3 feet in length). Dozens of them one after another. They handhold these things and then light them off. It was so COOL … Joel and I are definitely going to score some of those for our own use. They fire them off to make sure that God is listening to their prayers … drums and trumpets playing in the background … little kids going ooh and aah every time a rocket is launched. Like I’ve said so many times before … this is 50’s America down here. They also launched miniature hot air balloons about 3 or 4 feet in circumference.

These are definitely family events that happen in the plazas from evening into the night.

The children delight in chasing pigeons, older teens make out openly on the steps, the parents sit on benches holding hands, and all just seems so very right with the world.

This is when life happens: When Mexicans come out at night.