In Mérida, just like in Valladolid, there is a light show that takes place regularly in the evening and tells the story of the city. Although it is less rich in images and tends to paint the cathedral rather simple, it tells a better story of what happened to Mérida. Or rather, what happened to the Mayan ruins. The Spanish basically deconstructed the pyramids and then rebuilt them in the form of houses. Which, even back then, was a crime, but when you look at how many people and how much money – at least for some ruins – people from Western countries pay today to see ruins that they once destroyed, is… well…
After the light show, which I think I watched twice myself because I have the talent to arrive in the middle of the event and then only catch half of it, there was a dance. This is where the people from Mérida show cultural insights and share part of their culture with you. Of course, it’s very foreign because the clothes, the music and the steps are completely different to how they would be here. But I like to be carried away and be enchanted by new things. I also think that you need real coordination for some of the steps and not all of it is easy to dance.
Light show and dance yes or no? Definitely. You’ll learn about the history of Mérida in a pleasantly animated way and then get to experience culture and dance afterwards. And all for free. I don’t think you can say no to that.