In a little more than 2 days, we will be leaving Minneapolis for our new home in Merida. This past 6 months have been very trying as we worked through the emotional aspects of dealing with moving from our home, saying good-byes, rearranging the practical side of living and dealing with building our new home.
I moved to Minneapolis in 1977 at the urging of Bill Stumpf–whom I had met in London at the launch of the original ergonometric chair by Herman Miller. I was the project architect for the Herman Miller Bath Factory and got to know Max DePree–who at the time was running the European Operation. At dinner one night Bill said, “you really should consider Minneapolis and Minnesota. It has a deep history of social caring, love and support of education and an arts community embedded deep in the culture.” Besides, he said, “It has a world class school of architecture, unbelievable orchestra and great weather.”
Little did I know that he was exaggerating that last point. I eventually got used to the weather. And while I managed to cope in the winter, I also came to appreciate the beneficial aspects of a deep freeze. It meant we have 4 distinct seasons that are beautiful in their own right. One surprising result of the “deep freeze winters” was the rhythmic nature of retreat and adventure. In the winter, my reading picked up and I spent time contemplating life, my place in this world and, as Leonard Cohen says, “studying the philosophies of life.” In the summer, it was an extroverted and external relationship with Minnesota. No longer did I bury my face in my ski mask walking to work from the number 649 bus stop with a -20 degree wind whipping around me. No longer did I speed past pedestrians and rarely look up. In spring, summer and fall, I stopped frequently, smiled at passersby, stared at a newly budding tree, laughed at the frolicking of two squirrels and marveled at the dramatic disrobing of the inhabitants from layers to thin cladding.
Now, at 65 years old I am starting over. I will continue to do what I love: architecture and library planning. But I will do it in a place that has a Mesoamerican civilization going back to the pre-Classical period (c. 2000 BC to AD 250). I love the way the Mayan people have absorbed and merged the pre-Colombian and post-Conquest ideas and cultures. Walking down the street and looking at their faces is almost like time traveling. Their humility is a gift.
I will not miss the money crazed, over eating, car dominated world of the USA. I won’t say that there are not parallel problems in the realms of politics, drug use, consumerism, poverty, etc. I am not that naive, I hope. The US is losing its caring soul, in my opinion. It is obsessed with domination, subjugation and consumerism. That I will not miss.
As the Spanish learned, the Mayan people are resistant to one dominate cultural or political center. They have a strong independent streak that is reinforced by fierce protection. I love this independence and resistant to a dominate socio-political overlord. I have a great deal of reading and learning to do.
This last 1/4 of my life will be a new beginning–with traces of the old. Of course, Lea and I will maintain our connections to Minnesota. My children were born here and, even though they too are now gone, have roots. MSR will continue to be the center of my professional life–but instead of commuting from Minneapolis, I will be commuting from Merida. I look forward to learning Spanish, growing my own food, painting again, traveling and spending more time with family. I am also very excited to finally have my library in one place with all my paper-children organized.
I will miss you Minnesota and I will not forget you. You have been good to me and I owe you and your people a great deal. You took me in, gave me your gifts and made it possible to expand my social, political, artistic and physical well being.
Thank you Minnesota.
Hi jeff,
I admire the courage you have to face the new phase of your life…it is a journey, still a unique and enjoyable journey with richness in culture, history and knowledge. I bet you already know that yucatan has its own mysteries not only with the mayan culture but also with the evolution of architecture and its changes from 1542 throughout the years and the economy of yucatan on the early 1900.
There is only one thing I can certainly tell you…a person like you will not only admire and appreciate my culture, my history, my architecture and my people but also will be able to learn, to love, to respect and to own the values o f this majestic place: “Mi Merida Yucatan”.
Minnesota?…well, soy yucateco…I will keep it warm for you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Please OH please send me a mailing address. I have something to send you by you and me. “> ) LaVona
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