Although the Yucatan is most famous for the magnificent Mayan pyramids and temples, the Mayan civilization was gone by 900 AD, for reasons that are not yet entirely resolved to the complete satisfaction of all those who study them.  Some 600 years later, the Spanish Conquistadors arrived and so began the long and tumultuous Spanish colonial rule.  The Franciscans shortly followed the Conquistadors and a system of missions and churches was soon under construction throughout all Mesoamerica, extending even up along what is now the California coast.  Bob Hansen's book ("Yucatan Passages") pays a beautiful and reverent homage to the stark and often damaged beauty of these structures, many of which remain exactly as they were originally built, but now have a patina of time varnished upon them that creates colors and textures that so moved and inspired Hansen in his photographic essay.  But there was yet one more period of enterprise and wealth for the Yucatan.  In the late 19th and early 20th centuries there was a seemingly endless demand for sisal rope, whether that be for sailing ships or house-hold furnishings.  In response, a process was developed for taking the fiber from an agave-like plant and spinning it in to massive supplies of sisal.  Consequently, great wealth came yet again to the Yucatan with the city of Mérida at its heart, but all through the Yucatan, the colonials built massive plantations with grand haciendas or residential mansions complete with adjacent factories and housing for laborers.  This wealth in turn sparked support commerce built around ranching and agriculture.  Sisal barons also built townhouses in Mérida itself, borrowing hacienda-style features like huge arches, thick stucco walls, solid wood doors, massive ceiling beams and delightful interior patios.  Many facades have Neoclassical details with richly ornamented white stucco friezes above doors and windows.  But alas like so many things, the world developed new technologies and soon the sisal manufacturers found themselves without a market.  Ships with engines instead of sails do not need miles of cordage and synthetic cordage all but displaced the sisal that deteriorates over a relatively short time when exposed to the elements.  It did not take long before most of the haciendas were abandoned and today they sit quiet and neglected, crumbling before the advance of the rain forest and bush.  It was to these old missions and haciendas that Bob took David and it was these subjects that David found so compelling.

​