By Alma M. Reed

In the Yucatán, they by no means forgot Alma Reed. She arrived for the 1st time in 1923, on project for the New York instances Sunday Magazine to hide an archaeological survey of Mayan ruins. It used to be a modern Maya, besides the fact that, who stole her middle. Felipe Carrillo Puerto, acknowledged to be descended from Mayan kings, had lately been elected governor of the Yucatán on a platform emphasizing egalitarian reforms and indigenous rights. The entrenched aristocracy used to be enraged; Reed used to be infatuated—as was once Carrillo Puerto. He and Reed have been engaged inside of months. but under a 12 months later—only 11 days ahead of their meant wedding—Carrillo Puerto used to be assassinated. He had earned his position within the historical past books, yet Reed had gained a spot within the hearts of Mexicans: the bolero "La Peregrina" continues to be one of many Yucatán's most famed ballads.

Alma Reed recovered from her tragic romance to guide a protracted, profitable existence. She ultimately back to Mexico, the place her paintings in journalism, archaeology, and paintings earned her access into the Orden del Aguila Azteca (Order of the Aztec Eagle). Her time with Carrillo Puerto, despite the fact that, was once the main excessive of her existence, and whilst she used to be inspired (by Hollywood, in particular) to write down her autobiography, she all started with that distinct interval. Her manuscript, which disappeared instantly after her surprising loss of life in 1966, mingled her mythical love affair with a biography of Carrillo Puerto and the political heritage of the Yucatán. As such, it has lengthy been sought through students in addition to romantics. In 2001, historian Michael Schuessler found the manuscript in an deserted house in Mexico urban. a fully compelling memoir, Peregrina restores Reed's position in Mexican heritage in her personal words.