Mexico's Safest City: Where Drinking is a Way of Life

A Russian travel blogger, Alexander, has shared his observations of Merida, a city in Mexico considered the safest in Latin America. In his blog, '#делайчехочешь' on the 'Дзен' platform, Alexander noted that the city has a palpable atmosphere of calmness, with fewer bars on windows and less concern for personal safety compared to other municipalities in the country. Locals attribute this to the presence of numerous cartel representatives who reside in Merida and prefer to keep the peace in their hometown. Despite the locals' love for drinking, with large quantities of alcohol consumed daily, Alexander observed that there are surprisingly fewer aggressive and intoxicated individuals on the streets compared to other countries. According to him, the locals genuinely don't understand why foreigners are surprised by the amount of beer consumed, often explaining it away with 'it's so hot!' - a sentiment that makes sense given the sweltering temperatures and humidity that can soak a shirt in just five minutes. For many Mexicans, it seems that alcohol is an integral part of socializing, rather than a means to escape reality. This is a stark contrast to other parts of Mexico, which Alexander previously described as being 'behind bars', with nearly every house having fenced-in yards and barred windows. In Merida, however, the approach to drinking and socializing appears to be more relaxed and integrated into daily life.