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"Always
without formulating the concept, I had based
my sense of being in the world partly on an unreasoned
conviction that certain areas of the earth´s surface
contained more magic than others" . Paul Bowles
This early colonial house is in one of Merida´s
oldest
quarters next to the Hermitage of the
Safe Journey. It
is a delightful one bedroom home half a block from the
church, park and botanical garden. The nearby garden
is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and is a
favorite oasis of shade and water to the local birds.
The gardens are dotted with Mayan and Spanish colonial
limestone sculptures. There are acoustical trova
concerts in the square most weekends. The street is
closed to traffic on Sundays and open to pedestrians
and bicycles.
This 17c house is owned by John Powell, one of the
partners in Urbano Merida. It features very rustic and
curious antiques, antiquities , curios and crafts.
The central location in the south just 6 blocks from
the main square means less tourists and less ex-pats.
This is a more authentic Mexican neighborhood with a
slower pace where the clip clop of the horse and
buggies on their way to the zocalo can make you forget
which century you're living in.? Ermita also
gives you a head start on trips to the Ruta Puuc and Uxmal
as you can skip the bustle of downtown traffic. Casa
Ermita sits on one of the last brick paved streets
in town, the old Camino Real to Campeche. Alas, the real
danger here is you might not want to leave the house.
There is a cool plunge pool surrounded by koi ponds in
the front patio garden. Upstairs there is a open white
rooftop terrace that evokes sunny days in the Aegean
or cool nights in a Moroccan medina.? The house
features furniture designed by John and his partner, Josh
Ramos, They have worked for several of the local haciendas
finding antiques or designing modern
alternatives with local craftsmen.
The kitchen has been placed in the garden to keep the
house cool year round. It features two Bosch stoves
and two stainless steel under the counter
refrigerators. There are ample polished cement
counters with racks of Calphalon pots & pans. The
owner´s passion for cooking may be contagious once
you´ve been in the kitchen. The Mercado Central and
the Mercado San Sebastian are just a short stroll from
Ermita.
The library features a collection of Mexican
cookbooks. The giant antique wooden doors open onto
the garden. String a hammock or lie in the daybed and
you don´t live here year round. The dining room table
seats eith comfortably. And it´s comforting to know
that if you invite your friends over to dine there is
absolutely nowhere for them to sleep over. You´ll
have
L´Ermita all to yourself in the morning!
The simple bedroom has its´ original wood beamed ceilings
and the
17c Provenzal inspired bed looks into one of the
rarest sites in town, a bathtub. The 5 feet square
sunken bath with unlimited hot water and old stone
spouts makes it a spa-like experience. Is this Mexico
or is this heaven?
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