Wendy del Real’s TikTok video capturing her eerie late-night journey to the bathroom in her 500-year-old hacienda quickly catapulted her to online fame. The video garnered nearly four million views, showcasing the unique blend of history, legends, and daily life at her family’s sprawling estate in rural Zacatecas, Mexico.
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In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Wendy shared how she never anticipated that a mundane nightly routine would resonate with millions of viewers worldwide. The viral TikTok clip begins with a text overlay setting the scene of a solo midnight bathroom visit in the centuries-old courtyard of the hacienda, under a backdrop of darkness and the haunting sounds of the night.
Living in a house with thick walls that barely allow sunlight to penetrate, Wendy described the challenge of waking up each morning in the dimly lit rooms. She shared her morning rituals, which include tending to her horse and enjoying the company of her caretaker Anita, a cherished figure in the hacienda community.
Despite the isolation that comes with living in such a historic and remote location, Wendy finds solace in the tight-knit community of neighbours, who have become an integral part of her daily life. She highlighted the warmth and connections she has fostered with the eleven residents of the town, sharing anecdotes of milk and cheese exchanges with her neighbour Rocio, who milks cows.
The rustic charm of Wendy’s hacienda comes with its own set of challenges, from unexpected frog visitors in the morning to encounters with scorpions, bats, and spiders. Wendy revealed the humorous and sometimes daunting experiences she faces, such as bats flying into her home and the constant maintenance required to preserve the authenticity of the centuries-old structure.
As Wendy navigates the complexities of maintaining a historic property, she also delves into the rich history of the hacienda, which has served various roles over the centuries, including a town hall and a home for hundreds of families. She takes pride in continuing her family’s legacy, rooted in her grandfather Alejandro’s commitment to fair treatment and empowerment of the indigenous community.
Amidst tales of hidden trenches from the Mexican Revolution and rumours of buried treasure on the estate, Wendy’s reverence for the house’s history shines through. She dreams of sharing these stories with visitors while preserving the authenticity and integrity of the hacienda, illustrating her deep connection to the place she calls home.
Wendy’s experience underscores the delicate balance between preserving the past and embracing the present, as she navigates the challenges of living in a house that embodies centuries of history. Through her unique perspective and dedication to honouring her family’s legacy, Wendy continues to captivate audiences with her tales of life in a 500-year-old hacienda in rural Mexico.