Semana Santa in Bacalar reminds me of spring break on South Padre Island, only on a much smaller scale. Hotels are overflowing, music is loud, there are long waits in restaurants that opened just last week to take advantage of the occasion. After today we will revert back to a sleepy little town, much like Brigadoon disappearing into the mist.
On Wednesday, our builder David took us to the little town of Limones to visit the workshop of Luis, furniture maker extraordinaire.
Luis shows us a window frame that he has made for a school. The wood is so beautiful.
We looked at different types of wood, mahogany, hard cedar and others who’s names don’t translate into English. The grains were amazing showing a variety of color hidden in a log.
A rich red-purple vein that could be polished and stained for a table or bench.
This local cedar had wonderful hues of pink and purple.
Next we visited the sawmill to see the source of this lovely wood. Logging is rigorously monitored in Mexico. I was not willing to purchase wood that had been stripped from the jungle to provide us a front door.
Logs are sliced into boards that dry in the sun.
Using a huge bandsaw boards are cut and stacked to dry.
Having worked in the furniture making industry, Lisa was in heaven, even having a conversation with Luis that neither of them really understood.
Beautiful boards shipped all over the world.
Anyone want a table shaped like Texas?
I bet they could sell this for a fortune.
For every tree cut, a hundred are planted.
Back in Limones we stopped at a furniture store. It’s good to know our options. No decisions to make yet but soon.
Look at the different wood in this table.
For the patio perhaps with colorful cushions.
We are off this week for a road trip around the Yucatan looking for old doors to repurpose. We hope to visit a few churches, cenotes and maybe an island or two. Until next week. DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
How fortunate you are to be in an area with handmade furniture! I loved that dark wood with the reddish-purple in it. Hope some of that lands somewhere in your house.
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I know Emilie, such beauty. Lisa and I lean toward the lighter colors. We put Louis on the lookout for the local cedar although the mahogany is more frequently used in homes here.
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looks like fun!
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It really is fun. The sawmill was incredible. I took video but could not upload it for some reason. I’ll try posting to Facebook.
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Can you tell me how I can find Luis & his sawmill. We are going up to Mahahual next month and wanted to look him up. Also I am still searching your blog but you had written one about finding unique pottery hand made. Where was that? Thanks, Catherine
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Catherine, Luis does primarily custom work and is down a little side street in Limones. He will be tied up for another few months. I’d suggest stopping at the furniture shops on the highway in Limones. Take them a picture. They can make almost anything. Ask them for directions to the mill.
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