Last Thursday Glenn was doing his tai chi in Parque Juarez and I was sitting on a bench nearby. There was a couple from Berkeley sitting two benches over talking to their son on the phone. After the conversation ended they apologized if they were too loud. At which I mentioned that the son had a decision to make and I hoped it worked out. We all laughed at that and struck up a conversation as you do in San Miguel. During the conversation they mentioned that the past Sunday they had just seen a fabulous concert out in the desert at a place called Zandunga. And that we really should make it out on the coming Sunday because that was the last concert until July. We are so glad that they told us about this and where to get tickets as it was a wonderful experience!! And one we will do again when they return.
Zandunga is a Rancho owned by Gil Gutierrez and his wife Rebecca Kamelhar and they have a superb music venue on the property where the concerts are held. It is very open, clean, crisp and natural feeling and it has great acoustics. The perfect place with no one around to complain about the volume.
You need to get tickets in advance at Mixta at Pila Seca #3 in Centro. The tickets are $600 pesos per person or about $34USD, and it is well worth it! The doors open at 1:30pm but we got there a little bit earlier so we could get a great seat. You need to take an Uber or taxi out and schedule it for round trip to be picked back up at 5pm. That is the time you pay (about 500 pesos) as they may not return otherwise.
While we were waiting to enter another couple came along in their hired car and so we waited together. They were a really fun couple, Merrill Weber and Bob Bartelt from Pennsylvania, and she is a really good artist. Check out her Instagram feed here. And her blog. We were having fun talking so we decided to sit together and found fabulous seats right in front where we had the best time. We are actually going to a restaurant tonight, Bistro Mi Casa in the Institute Allende, where we will meet up with them again to listen to his music.
After everyone gets settled a bit at Zandunga and orders a drink it is time for great food!! (All you can eat, but don’t go overboard and leave food on your plate, that is a no-no). Then the concert starts and what a great time it is. The musicians and style will depend on the Sunday you go since it changes. His group when we went was really excellent and the woman who accompanied them had an amazing voice. They all looked like they were having so much fun!! Towards the end of the afternoon it was time for dancing. We haven’t danced for quite a while so it was fun to be in a situation where we just had to let loose. Adding to the enjoyment, our bill including tips for the 6 margaritas we had was just $26 and we were toasted.
We are having some really good friends that we used to work with come down in July to celebrate several birthdays. I think we will definitely have to put this on our agenda for everyone to have a blast!!
If you ever make it down to San Miguel keep a watch out for concerts at Zandunga, they are truly enjoyable.
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Have a great time in Merida, Yucatan.
My husband and I are in Sunnyvale and have the home in Merida where you’ll be staying..
I hope you enjoy yourselves as much as we do when there.
I know Carlos is very attentive….please tell Angel at the Mom and Pop shop [3-4 doors down, left from front door] and say hi to the Chocolate shop too. OMGoodness…it’s so good. chuckle. You can make one dessert a dinner. 😉
Great Italian Pizza, walk towards Santa Anna [Pronounced Santana, like the band]. It’s on a corner, forget the name…around 64 or 62 and 47.
If you fall in love w/ Merida, like I did, then Chris, my husband did…Carlos can find you a home, too. chuckle….
Great blog, by the way.
Bon Voyage..
k
Nice to hear from you! Even though we aren’t going to the Yucatan till next year, I am very excited to see it. Glenn has been there before, but not Merida. And I have not experienced any of the area. Looking forward to your house. We will say hi to your friends. Glenn and I both grew up in the Bay Area. Mexico so much more relaxed. Loving it.