Mayan Hammocks
The Yucatan offers many handcrafts by local artesanias as well as imports from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guatamala and other locations. Here you can find the finest hammocks in the world, detailed carvings of ancient Mayan sculptures, works of silver and pewter and many other unique treasures
Mayan Hammocks
WHAT ARE HAMMOCKS MADE OF?
The body of the best hammocks are hand-woven from 100% cotton.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Your hammock should last for many years. They should not be left outdoors for long periods of time.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN SIZE?
Standard hammocks sleep one. The matrimonial size will sleep two and seat as many you can fit into it (six+), and is ideal for indoor use.
HOW SHOULD IT BE HUNG?
It requires two rings mounted to walls or posts, two S-hooks, and two lengths of strong cord. You can purchase these items wherever hammocks are sold. Suspend the hammock to hang symmetrically, with both ends at the same height, using equal lengths of cord.
HOW DO YOU USE IT?
To enter the hammock, you back up to it, pull the far side well above your head then lie back, pull in your feet and position yourself comfortably. To get out, simply lower your feet to the ground and stand up.
Tequila
The name of the town where tequila is produced is Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco. The majority of its 35,000 inhabitants work in the tequila producing industry.
The town of tequila is 45 minutes north of the city of Guadalajara. As you approach the area, the thousands of acres of blue agave fields will definitely attract your attention.
The agave plant looks somewhat like the sisal plants you see here in the Yucatan. They are tall plants with spiked leaves that resemble swords. They have a very nasty spike on the tip that can inflict a very ugly wound.
Once the plant reaches the ripe age of 7 to 10 years, it is ready to be harvested. This is when the jimador, the man who harvests, goes to the fields with a very heavy machete type tool and starts whacking away at the plants. First he gets rid of the needle like tip, then he whacks away the sword-like leaves. He is left with a pineapple-looking ball that has the consistency of a raw potato or jicama, and weighs an average of 75 pounds. This is the precious ingredient for tequila.
The tequila-making process continues when these pineapples are taken to the distillery and cooked in steam at 223° f for 36 hours in room-sized ovens. During this process, the starchy ball turns into a sugar. From the ovens, they pass onto conveyor belts to the shredding and smashing area, where the fiber is eliminated and the liquid is smashed out and drained into a tank. This liquid is called aguamiel, or honey water.
The honey water is fermented with selected yeasts for 18 hours. This is when the transformation of sugar into alcohol takes place. Two distillations are performed. The liquid is then graded and the percentage of alcohol is controlled. The perfect grade is called tequila which is 38% alcohol. At this stage the liquid is white.
This liquid is stored in vats or aged in oak barrels. Añejo tequila, or aged tequila, is aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of one year to create amber tones and smooth taste. Reposado tequila, or rested tequila, is aged in oak vats or barrels for a minimum of two months.
When ordering your tequila try asking for a amber colored one, which would be añejo or reposado. Avoid white or clear tequila. It usually is too strong.
Merida
Merida is a world class city. Here you can shop for traditional Mayan handicrafts at the handicraft market in the centro or at various shops located in the tourist areas of the city.
Alternatively you can shop just as you do at home, in your air conditioned shopping mall. Come to the Sears Mall, the J.C Penny mall, shop at Walmart or Costco, the choice is yours. Virtually every international store you wish to shop at is available in Merida. Buy your home repair material at Home depot or your office supplies at Office Max or Office Depot. From clothing to electronics at Radio Shack Merida will make you feel at home.
Progreso
While Progreso does not compete with Merida in total shopping comfort it is a great location for the shopper due to its close location to Merida. However in Progreso you can live and shop comfortably, from the first calls indoor shopping mall to the farmers market to the quaint handicraft stores you will find much of what you need right here in Progreso.
Yucatan Villages
Many Yucatán villages offer exciting shopping ventures at great prices. We have our hammock village, our stone carving and wood carving village and many others that specialize in specific handicrafts. Come and enjoy.