There is so much to love about Mérida, Mexico: the beautiful architecture along Paseo de Montejo, the Mayan history, the wonderful food and even more wonderful people.

But what I have fallen in love with are its parks. Every neighborhood seems to have its own gathering place, with trees and benches and monuments. What makes them so special, though, is the life in those parks. Families gather, couples wander hand-in-hand, children play, and older people sit and watch the world go by.

The parks aren’t there waiting for tourists to arrive. They are waiting for the neighbors to come out and play. They are there for the locals to enjoy, from morning until late at night. They are woven into everyday life.

Plaza Grande is the most touristy park, set in the middle of the historic center of the city. It has visitors with cameras and the obligatory six-foot-tall MERIDA spelled out in colorful letters. But there are also locals pushing babies in strollers, fanning themselves on benches, and gathering together for an evening out. One night I saw a couple in their wedding finery posed for pictures along the candlelit path leading to the center of the park.

In fact, the evening I went to see the traditional Yucatecan dancing there, hundreds of Yucatecos had filled the seats. They are proud of their heritage and their city. They also love any reason to celebrate and be together. For the roughly two hours I was there, they cheered on every performer.

On my way to Plaza Grande, I stumbled on Parque de Santa Lucía, a lovely park right in front of Iglesia de Santa Lucía. There were street vendors and musicians and people from the neighborhood getting together.

A few nights before that, I went to Parque de Santiago, where Remembranzas Musicales (musical memories) is hosted every Tuesday night. It’s a free concert and dance, and the park was filled with dancers young and old enjoying the music and the company. Food stalls were set up – I couldn’t resist a marquesita, a slightly sweet waffled cone made on-site and filled with cheese. If you know me, you know I love my cheese.

While there I met two lovely women and their husbands. They spoke no English, and of course my Spanish is practically non-existent, but with gestures and the odd word here and there, I made new friends. I was even asked to dance!

Along my walks exploring the city, I’ve come across so many parks that call to me to come sit under their shade trees and rest on a bench. I almost never refuse the invitation, because from those benches, I can observe real life in Merída. Not places to check off a bucket list – just life.

It’s why I started all of this in the first place, why I like to stay more than just a few days in each new place. I want to breathe in the culture, to have genuine connections with people around the world.

Merída’s parks are made for this.