Today we went to the Yaxcopoil Hacienda. I was so excited because I really wanted to visit one of the old haciendas in the area. Even though I have a TON of homework (about 15 pages to write and a presentacion) I still decided to go, and it was well worth it.
It is in the city of Uman. We rode the bus out there and then took taxi vans back. It was about a hour to get there. It is in the direction of Uxmal. When we entered the city it was different a feeling than in Merida. There were a lot more indigenous people and it was a poorer area. It was a little more of what I imagined Mexico to be like.
The hacienda is located a little farther out from the main city central. A local said that there are about 12 near by haciendas. I of couse want to visit them all, but sadly we are on a time constraint. The area around the hacienda is inhabited by people who live in tiny houses. There was a carnival outside the hacienda grounds. When we entered, you were suppose to drive through the main gate, as pictured above, but we went in through another enterance.
The whole thing is just huge, facinating, and totally run down.
Here are the steps going up to the platform of the building. You can see they are worn with many people who have climbed them. There story tells us about how often people visited the hacienda and how it was busy with human traffic. They are testaments to the large scale production from the haciendas and how they really were like small towns in and of themselves.
The buildings were huge. Tall with columns and other neoclassical elements. After entering in the main hall, there was a area separating the reception from the other parts of the house, as seen here. Most of the walls are falling apart and what once was fine detail has eroded away. But it is still very gorgeous. It is really sad to see it all fall apart.
There are many gardens rooms. There were currently vacas, cows, using the land. Just as the buildings are falling apart, the cows are ill-fed and one can see their skeletal structure quite well. There was no grass to eat because everything has dried up and is withering away. What once was profitable and well taken care of now just withers in the wind. More picture following.
This is where the farm management took place. There is still the old machinery, stables, etc. As seen some of the buildings didn't even have roofs. All that stands as a memory is the facade and the wooden frame, which is falling apart quickly. Soon all that will be there are the stone facades of the building.
Everyday One of the things, I have come acustom to seeing is the white paint at the base of the trees. Most of the trees on public property are covered with this stuff. I have never seen it before. At first we all thought is was so that at night people could see the trees, ie traffic purposes.
However, senora said that the paint is a mixture of anti-bug stuff so that bugs and other small animals won't climb the trees. I believed her until we passed a tree and I saw a trail of ants climbing up it. Either the paint was old, or the stuff is just a deterant because everybody knows there really is know way to deter all insects and animals. Or it has another purpose. Who knows? But sights like this are all around.
Chao!!
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