Opinionated observations from a citizen of third age on travels, hobbies, experiences, politics, music, folk philosophy, facts, fiction, education, religion, etc.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Deep Fried Turkey and more for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Long week-end get way in Mexico City - part 2
Photography: Alejandro (Jando) Gonzalez Benites
Plazas de Aragon is a typical colonia on the outskirts of el Distrito Federal-DF. In order to get there you need someone like uncle Angel. He has mastered, through a life time, traffic in Mexico city; the ins and outs of the road. One must be proficient driving against traffic especially on one way streets! You must recognize that land marks are more important than street names, numbers or traffic signs. This is the major key in getting to where you are going. Another important element is good brakes because of their ceaseless use.
We arrived, a little shaken but otherwise in good shape, at Angel and Yami's inviting home. Alejandro, el niño, welcomed us with a refreshing piña colada. After a pleasant discussion remembering the old days, family stories and relatives long gone, we gathered in the terrace for further delightful conversation and more cheers. Angel ignited his custom made grill, which reminded me of the typical taco grills you see in the mercados, and busy corners in DF.
The menu was a wonderful fusion of Aztec and Mestizo cuisine, a cultural passing from one generation to the next. It consisted of fresh sliced beef steak, chunks of Mexican cheese wrapped in nopales, cactus paddles and Chiles anchos stuffed with cheese and grilled onions. This delicious harmony of Aztec flavors are grilled with natural chunks of wooden charcoal. Angel believes that his choice of charcoal, fresh ingredients and seasoning, along Yami's home-made salsa are the key to his successful repast. It was certainly scrumptious either way.
Apropos to the occasion, Alejandro, eagerly offers us our choice of refreshing aperitifs. He seemed desirous to practice what he is learning in his school of tourism and hospitality. We solicited his recommendation of red wine. He presents us with two fine bottles from El Valle de Santo Tomas for our consideration. They were a 2010 Merlot, a mouthful of red and black fruit, contoured with oak. It was evident that he had carefully selected them, a truly fine tasting experience.
For fans of food and tradition, steak tacos, stuffed peppers, hot sauce... GAME ON! |
A salad with goat cheese and avocados proved to be the perfect lead-in to the main course. |
Mercedes with our cousin Alejandro aka, el niño. |
Friday, October 5, 2012
Long week-end get away in Mexico City
My wife, Mercedes and I selected to spend our long Labor Day week-end in Mexico City. After a relaxing flight from Los Angeles, I looked out from the plane as I was being welcomed to the valley of Mexico by its two millennial Aztec lovers; Popocatépetl whose eternal love and passion still burns today and his beautiful princess Iztaccíhuatl. These two volcanoes are the most admired and revered in all of México.
Angel on the foreground enjoying the serenade |
Alejandro, "el niño" as his endearingly mother call him joins in with a love song. |
After an evening of "dolce far niente", we woke early for a morning walk along avenida Alvaro Obregon to an intimate cafe. After a light breakfast, we headed to El Templo Mayor.
On on our way to the temple, we stumbled into thousands of runners and many street closures, just our
luck!The International Mexico City Marathon was in progress. The finish line was in el Zocalo, adjacent to El Templo Mayor. After walking a few blocks and cheering some tired runners, we arrived at The Grand Temple, for those of us of Mexican descent walking through the Templo Mayor stirs a kinetic feeling, of wrapping our arms around the rich heritage built by those who came before us. According to Mexica history, the temple is located exactly where the god, Huitzlopochtli, revealed to them the sign; an eagle on top of a cactus devouring a snake. This was the promised land. This is where they would build Tenochtitlan.
The temple was built in the 14th century in honor of the Aztec god of war and water. The Templo was almost destroyed by the Spaniards during their conquest of Tenochtitlan. It was lost for centuries. It was accidentally rediscovered in 1978 by electrical workers digging trenches for the modernization of the city.
El Templo Mayor |
Tlaltecuhtli earth goddess, queen of the day, a deity that can be called upon difficult births |
Tzompantli |
Coyolxauhqui |
This carved round stone is the Aztec moon goddes Coyolxauhqui depicting severed limbs. According to Aztec mythology, she was slain by her brother Huitzilopochtli because she had killed their mother. In Aztec mythology, this goddess rules the night, but she dies every sunrise; slain by the sun god Coatepec.
After a full day of visiting the Templo Mayor and museum we were fatigued and more than ready for the Mexican buffet prepared by our amateur chef Angel and his wife Yami.
Stay tuned for Plazas de Aragon, a palatable eatery in Angel's terrace.
After a full day of visiting the Templo Mayor and museum we were fatigued and more than ready for the Mexican buffet prepared by our amateur chef Angel and his wife Yami.
Stay tuned for Plazas de Aragon, a palatable eatery in Angel's terrace.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
72 year old installs water heater
When my friend Bob wanted to borrow some plumbing tools I was suspicious. When he told me he was going to install a new 30 gallon water heater I became worried. I not only took tools to his house but also a first aid kit and emergency phone numbers. I tried to change his mind, reminded him that just a couple months ago he underwent heart surgery. But he was adamant, "...why should I pay for a job I can do myself!" he bawled. Now those of us who know Bob are aware that he is not a job creator and doesn't believe in trickle down economics. It's not that he can't afford it, he receives three retirement checks totaling over six figures monthly. But as he puts it, "... I'm not a tightwad, as your compadre Jorge claims! I enjoy the satisfaction of doing the work myself "! So... here we go.
These are all the tools need grip pliers, small and medium adjustable crescent wrenches, pipe joint compound or plumbers putty. |
With everything disconnected drain the water from the old heater. Note Bob's daughter Melanie, who is studying nursing, is standing by in case daddy needs to help. |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Fishing the Eastern Sierra Nevada 2012
Mt. Whitney, eastern side, the highest summit in the contiguous US 14,505 ft. considered the gate way to the Sierra Nevada. An ideal place for rest and relaxation remote yet beautiful. |
Our pursuit of rainbow trout strengthens the seductiveness of scenic places which keep us returning annually. All anglers recognize and willingly yield to the experience. Peripheral to nature's delights is the enjoyment of being with family and friends before these majestic panoramas.
On this fishing trek we had planned for three father and son teams Javier and Javi, Jose and David and Bob and Bobby, unfortunately young Bobby was not able to join us.We departed the "City of Angels" with our gear, tackle, anticipation and the dream of catching the big one. Four hour later we were casting our lines into a familiar, unfailing fishing hole, intake two. Bob and Javi, the two experts, briskly caught their first trout, David followed with his first catch in the sierras. Javier and I sputtered in this sure-fire hole, I spent my time changing metal and Javier taking care of malfunctions with his reel, line and technique. I found it prudent to move away from him and closer to those catching fish with out much success. I moved away but, unfortunately, his negative karma followed me.
After our less-than-satisfactory first day fishing, we headed down to Bishop for dinner and hotel check in. Our concierge for dinner engagements, Bob, made reservations at one of his favorite Italian restaurants. He had been singing praises, of the fine wine and authentic Italian dishes. To my surprise he passed on all the great food and wine. Javier and Javi ordered a medium size pizza and Bob joined in. I thought it lacked visual appeal and it seemed rather small for three hungry man. He failed to order wine and settled for soda and water. The most hilarious part of the dinner was to see who would devour the last slice of pizza. David and I made a side bet, I said Bob, David said Javi. I am willing to wager if you know both of them, you know the answer. After Bobs' first attempt a coordinating dinner activities, the group found it difficult to accept his culinary suggestions. Everybody was on their own from then on.
Each morning we got an early start we tried different lakes and streams, when we caught fish we stayed there until it slowed down them we would go to other locations in Bob's list. This system guarantees to challenge, entertain and deliver our daily quota; five fish for 5 anglers gave us a limit of 25 fish per day.
David as a chef is a happy man already thinking of new and savory ways to prepare his catch. |
Javi, a fish biologist, is vigilant for the well being of fish. He is becoming a catch-and -release angler, but not this time. |
Bob and Javi just keep bringing them in at lake Mary in Mammoth. |
Every year late spring and early summer the Eastern Sierra Nevada is the place to be for fishing enthusiasts. Always searching for endless opportunities for fun and adventure. And of course the dream of catching a rainbow trout in the 6 pounds range.This is the allurement that keeps us coming back each year.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
New dynamic fishing duo dominate @ Jenks lake
All living forms, above and below Jenks lake froze. And the fish trembled at their approach. The new fishing duo, Robert and David. |
David was obviously very happy with his first catch of the day. After weighing it he blissfully put his prize in the cooler filled with ice. |
" I know exactly how I am going to prepare this, it will be a mouth watering delicacy ". |
happy angler |
As the afternoon shadows begin to embrace the pier it's time to say adios. Until the old sage, Robert, extends us another invitation to fish his favorite places in California. He mentioned something about the high sierras.
the largest of the season |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Agua de Jamaica - Hibiscus Tea Cooler
Spring is a welcomed time of the year; all around us we are treated to new colors and aromas of vegetable, fruits and flowers. Amateur gardeners are busy with their organic gardens. My friend Bob, for example, is busy refurbishing his vegetable garden beds, which he raised, with exotic varieties of tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and a wide assortment of herbs and spices. This is his overture to an annual conception of exotic and delightful salsas picantes, or hot sauces. Spring is also the time of the year in which, in any given Sunday, in any given city, and in any given park in Mexico, you're sure find vendors of aguas frescas. After a stroll through the park, there is nothing more refreshing that a flavorful agua fresca. These inexpensive drinks are prepared with fresh fruits. The most popular choices are: limón, piña, sandía, orchata, tamarindo, jamaica and others. They are usually displayed in large glass barrel type jars, fraught with chunks of fruit and ice.
They are inexpensive in Mexico. But here, in any Mexican restaurant they are likely to be more expensive than our traditional brand name soft drinks. Recently, I paid $2.69 for a 12 once glass of agua de Jamaica, mostly filled with crushed ice, at a local restaurant.
Earlier this week, on a shopping trip to my local Mexican market, I noticed a huge pile of flor de jamaica, or hibiscus flower. Considering that our weatherman forecasted a hot spring day, I took the opportunity to prepare my own hibiscus tea cooler. I purchase a 1/4 lb. for .39 cents. Upon my return home, I quickly started preparing agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea cooler. The following are the steps I took to make a delicious and refreshing agua de jamaica:
Rinse the hibiscus flower and place it in a good size pot. Boil them for about 20 minutes. The result will be an aromatic dark crimson color tea. Strain the tea into your jar or container. Dilute it, fifty-fifty ratio and add sugar to taste.
Add ice, these are all the ingredients you will need. If you prefer to use sugar substitutes, I would recommend that each person sweeten their own individual drink.
Spring and summer are the best times of the year to enjoy a sweet, refreshing agua fresca. I suggest you try making it. The amount that I used yielded three gallons, enough to invite families and friends to carne asada on a warm week-end. Bob is sure bring ten to twelve jars of his salsas.
Agua de Jamaica has other beneficial effects. According to traditional healers in Mexico, because of its' diuretic properties, it helps lower blood pressure, relieves upset stomach and a source of vitamin C.
Now that spring and our warm weather are here, it's time for outdoor activities, enjoy them with chilled hibiscus tea.
They are inexpensive in Mexico. But here, in any Mexican restaurant they are likely to be more expensive than our traditional brand name soft drinks. Recently, I paid $2.69 for a 12 once glass of agua de Jamaica, mostly filled with crushed ice, at a local restaurant.
Earlier this week, on a shopping trip to my local Mexican market, I noticed a huge pile of flor de jamaica, or hibiscus flower. Considering that our weatherman forecasted a hot spring day, I took the opportunity to prepare my own hibiscus tea cooler. I purchase a 1/4 lb. for .39 cents. Upon my return home, I quickly started preparing agua de Jamaica, hibiscus tea cooler. The following are the steps I took to make a delicious and refreshing agua de jamaica:
Rinse the hibiscus flower and place it in a good size pot. Boil them for about 20 minutes. The result will be an aromatic dark crimson color tea. Strain the tea into your jar or container. Dilute it, fifty-fifty ratio and add sugar to taste.
Spring and summer are the best times of the year to enjoy a sweet, refreshing agua fresca. I suggest you try making it. The amount that I used yielded three gallons, enough to invite families and friends to carne asada on a warm week-end. Bob is sure bring ten to twelve jars of his salsas.
Agua de Jamaica has other beneficial effects. According to traditional healers in Mexico, because of its' diuretic properties, it helps lower blood pressure, relieves upset stomach and a source of vitamin C.
Now that spring and our warm weather are here, it's time for outdoor activities, enjoy them with chilled hibiscus tea.
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