Photos

I was scrolling though the photographs that we've taken since we arrived and realize that there are hundreds of them. Today I think I'll let you browse along with me.

The sky in the early evening




The fountain at La Siesta Hotel



A favourite house




Restorations in progress





Our street, 2da Penuales




Smiling faces



Hard at work



Fishing Boats



Oysters



Fisherman's Monument



Water and Sand




Enjoy your day!

Campbell's Cream of Poblano Soup

Okay, I'll tell you right now. Don't bother looking for this soup at Safeway! I googled Campbell's Soup recipes, and apparently it doesn't exist.

However, we have found it. At Mega. And we invented dinner!

We had company from home a few weeks ago, and they discovered, and loved, the Chicken in Poblano Sauce served at one of our favourite restaurants. We wanted them to have the 'full Mexican experience' so of course we took them grocery shopping, to the Market and also to Mega, because we love the Market but there are just times when you need a really big grocery store. While we were cruising the aisles at Mega, Ann discovered the soup and decided to take a can to Canada to experiment with.

I picked up a can this week, just couldn't resist.

We have a lot planned for the next week and we decided that perhaps we should just stay home tonight and conserve our energy. It seemed like the perfect night to 'invent'.

Michael and I love to cook, and not to toot our horns or anything, we are pretty good at it. I made sure when we came down in November we brought the important ingredients I was afraid we wouldn't find here - Raspberry Vinegar for the best ever salad dressing (thanks to Christie), lemon juice (of course), and various and sundry herbs and spices. We've grown our own basil, oregano and rosemary and have learned to make-do with dried thyme (sigh).

But there are times when you just feel like taking it easy, or experimenting. Tonight seemed to be one of those evenings.

So, I made Chicken with Poblano Sauce (ala Sandie).

I roasted a Poblano pepper and a couple of cloves of garlic. After they were done, the peppers were peeled and the garlic was smashed (very theraputic, by the way). The chicken breasts were browned with just a few sliced onions, then the garlic and peppers were added, with corn niblets. Corn and poblano peppers just seem to go together. The secret ingredient was added (that would be the soup!) and everything just simmered away until we were ready to eat.

It wasn't the same as Manuelo's Poblano Chicken, but it was pretty darned good!

Thank you, Mr. Campbell.

CARNAVAL!!!!!

Well, it's here, the event we've all been waiting for. Carnaval is a 6 day celebration, held every year just before Ash Wednesday. Mazatlan's Carnaval is the biggest in Mexico, and third in the Americas, after Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans and this year is being held February 11 - 16.

Carnaval is special this year,as Mexico is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Independence from Spain, or at least the start of the fight. This is also the 100th anniversary of the 1910 Revolution that lead to the downfall of the dictator, Porfirio Diaz.

The theme of Carnaval this year is "Con Fervor Patrio" (with Patriotic Passion).

And so ends the lesson. Apparently, it is now time to party. And to pull out the ear plugs!!!

The preparations have been going on for weeks, and we decided today to just go 'walkabout' to see how things were moving along.

There are signs and banners everywhere.







The drink of choice appears to be Pacifico. Actually, there is no choice; they have cornered the market.





The designated drivers can always enjoy a nice, cool, Coca Cola.



The marketing people at Tecate and Pepsi Cola must be pretty depressed right about now!

There appears to be no shortage of ice, so the beer, and Cokes, should all be well chilled.





Actually, no one really drives during Carnaval. The Malecon is blocked off for miles during the evenings and travel is strictly by foot. Many of us who live here have decided to just keep our cars parked for the duration. There's a lot of beer out there. It's just seems like a good idea.

Tickets are purchased at booths (20 pesos per person - less than $2.00) and then entry to the Malecon is through the gates.



There are gates to let us in, this one on Sixto Osuno just by the Library




and this one is on Angel Flores.



There are also barricades to keep people out. No one gets in without handing over their 20 pesos!



Passes are issued to people who live within the gated areas. As we are outside, we will have to pay our 20 pesos each and every time we enter, even if we are just passing through to the other side, as we will do the evening we go to the watch the fireworks with friends. Oh well, it's less than $2.00, and it goes to a good cause!

Of course, no celebration in Mexico is complete without music




and it couldn't possibly be Carnaval with the bling!



So, this is Carnaval, before.

Carnaval, during, will follow.

Street Games

Our Casita is on Ice Box Hill and the streets are steep. Mike and I are getting used to the climb, but our friends are usually quite tuckered out by the time they reach our front door. The steepness of the streets is also a challenge for the local children at times. Playing baseball or soccer is an art - miss that ball on a downhill throw or kick and you have to run a long way to catch it!

We were amazed a few nights ago when we came across this bunch.



There were sitting on an assortment of items - a lid from a paint can and a flattened 2 litre Coke bottle to name a few! After much jockeying for position they were off, careening down the street at full speed, roaring with laughter.




This picture is rather blurry, but I have to use it anyway. She was so cute, and had absolutely no fear. Guess it's all about keeping up with your big brother!



I have no idea how they survived, or what their mothers said to them when they got home!

Random thoughts

I've been wondering about a few things lately. Nothing too brain taxing, just wondering.

Like what happened to all the pigeons at the Plaza Machada. There used to be what seemed like hundreds and yesterday we had only one join us for our afternoon 'refreshment'.



Oh, there he is.



Too funny, it drives us crazy when Chuy feeds them on his roof top as the little devils make a dreadful mess of our terrace, and yet we miss them at the Plaza. Could be be because someone else has to clean up there. I wonder....

I`m also wondering who owns this carÉ



This little truck has been parked in this spot since we were here in the spring. We have no idea how long it was there before that. Parking is at a premium around here, and I really wonder, why doesn`t someone just tow the darn thing awayÉÉÉÉ

Mentioning towing, I`m sure I`ve mentioned the `beast`, the truly lovely vehicle owned by one of our neighbours.



This is the truckécaréwhatever that needed at least 5 or 6 attempts to start, and then required at least a 10 minute `warm up` outside our bedroom window, every morning, usually around 6 a.m. It died, finally, several weeks ago (happy dance!!) and was towed away, but now it`s back! How long will it take before it dies againÉ How many times will he attempt to get it running before he admits defeat and buries itÉ I wonderÉÉÉÉÉ

Now I`m sure you`re all wondering as well about my sudden interesting attempt at puncuation. Why do Sandie`s question marks all look like ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ. I have absolutely no idea. Somewhere there is something that I touch, but darned if I know where it is. I wonder, will I ever find itÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ

Art, or not?

One of things we can't help but notice is the graffiti around town. It's everywhere, and irritating. I really can't understand the joy in defacing propery with a can of black paint.



Recognise the car?

However, there are grafitti "artists" and then there are the real artists. These adorn some of the walls along Mariano Escobedo, one of the many lovely streets in El Centro. Several of these have been signed.









This one is a favourite.



I'm thinking art.

It certainly makes for an interesting walk!!!

Lunch at Lori's

Our neighbours, Lori and Chuy, have a taco stand just around the corner and down the street from the Casita. The stand is pink, so we call it the "Pink Palace". Lori starts to cook early in the morning and then starts to serve around noon. Chuy retired several years ago, and although he doesn't do any of the cooking, he acts as Lori's 'gofer', fetching water, serving the food, and clearing the tables. Chuy does take regular breaks however, and we often hear him at home during the day, practicing his trumpet.

Mike and I were having an 'at home' day today and spent the morning doing the usual house stuff. We did a load of laundry, swept the terrace, and also made a pot of spagetti for dinner tonight. However, this is Thursday, and Lori's special of the day is Chili Rellanos. So, off we went for lunch.



Lori and Chuy are very popular and their seats are always full. We make sure to get there early!

These are the peppers



and the peppers again, at the next stage



Lori was hard at work, but as usual,was smiling.





Lunch was delicious, as usual, and cost us 36 pesos each. At today's exchange rate, that's $3.00!!