We met a man named Ernesto, who invited us into his home. He showed us a cenote. A cenote is an underground water system found here in the Yucatán. We originally thought that we were just going to see this underground water system, but he openly invited us into his home. We met his family, tried the tortillas that his wife and mother-in-law were making, and saw his backyard. He was ecstatic about the bathroom that the Mexican government had given to his family. Many other residents of the village were not fortunate enough to have bathrooms. He also had many turkeys, chickens, and roosters in his backyard. His family also grew many different vegetables such as radishes, squash, peppers, and lemons. He was very kind to us and we appreciated the open hospitality of a man who we met just passing by on the street.
In the afternoon we had the opportunity to go to a Hacienda. A Hacienda is a plantation. The haciendas were established by the Spaniards when they came to Mexico. Many of them tore down the pyramids and the Mayan people suffered as slaves. They worked very hard and were unable to break free of the work in the haciendas, due to the currency they were paid, which was only able to be used in the store is owned by the owner of the Hacienda. Though they environment and buildings were beautiful, it was difficult for us to realize the polar opposite between the poverty of Ernersto and his family compared to the extreme wealth of the man who owns the Hacienda.
We made dinner and are now on our way to a park in the neighborhood. We are excited to see what tonight and tomorrow has to offer. ¡Buenas noches!
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