Merida, known as the White City, was the first stop on the trip, and a non-stop flight from Dallas.  Merida is the capitol of the state of Yucatan, located in the northeast of the Yucatan peninsula.  Founded by the Spanish in 1542 over the ruins of the Mayan city T'ho, Merida is an old colonial city, loaded with superb colonial monuments and splendid turn to the XIX century architecture.    People stroll the parks and the main square at night, and there is music on weekend evenings.  Unfortunately, my photos don't do it justice. 

   I stayed at the Hotel Casa del Balam in the historic centro of Merida.   It prides itself on being one of the few original Mexican Art Deco houses in existence (being a converted former residence).   It was a great central location for seeing the interesting sights.