You can find something creative happening every night of the week here in el centro de Mérida.

• Monday is traditional Yucatecan dance night.
• Tuesday is 1940's Latin big band dance night-- which I just love, as it attracts older couples who have obviously been dancing since the 1940's.
• Wednesday night is... hm... random night. I watched an 1950's French movie with Spanish subtitles at the local theater. But you can also easily find trova being played somewhere-- Yucatecan ballads.
• Last night, Thursday, was serenada night at Plaza Santa Lucia. They put on a pretty elaborate show featuring a full band, poets, singers, dancers, the works. The man in the picture above is cleaning the statues at Plaza Santa Lucia in preparation for the evening event; I just love how he makes full use of his bicycle.
• Friday, Saturday and Sunday are a whole blog entry in and of themselves. Lots going on, something like Adams Morgan Day (for you DC area readers), except every weekend.

But tomorrow is special-- the north American community is holding it's 10th annual Chili Cook-Off to raise money for the Merida English Library, an awesome resource for gringos and Yucatecans alike. I spent my Friday night making my chili non carne withe a friend who gave me access to her big kitchen, her good humor and a food processor. Cross your fingers, and we'll see which of the 15+ chili recipies brings in the most votes.