Filed under: Photo, Short | Tags: Chicago, Dia de los Muertos, flowers, food, people, Skulls
Mexico has worked its way back into my life a few times in the past several weeks. First, the infamous mikesnotes swung by Chicago for a night of reminiscing and alcohol (though surprisingly, no Tequila). Then, an invitation from KDG to a Son Jarocho concert here, though unfortunately I couldn’t make it. Finally, a fantastic piece of mail arrived from Miss Kinder with–what else–tacos! And not just any tacos; these were delicious gummi tacos, the most authentic type!
One type of taco I didn't have during Taco Week
Of course, I have also had actual tacos (and quite solid ones at that) in various taquerias and street stalls around the city over the past few weeks, but they didn’t have nearly as flashy packaging…
I’ve been home almost a month, and while I still don’t know that I can really write a truly full reflection of my time in Mexico, I think I can summarize it pretty well…
I’m looking forward to returning ASAP!
On the homefront, while most of my life is focused on becoming Dr. Caley, I had the opportunity to spend a little time re-living Mexico last week as Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan performed in Millennium Park. Throw in the tamales (rajas y queso oaxaca) I made to bring along and the micheladas we had while there, and it was a great night, despite being a far different setting than good ol’ Plaza Garibaldi.
Annie and Aislinn with one of the Mariachi after the show
Filed under: Photo, Update | Tags: Acapulco, animals, DF, flowers, food, Guanajuato, swine flu, transportation, Veracruz
Somehow the year has gone flying by, and I find myself with only a few weeks left before I head back to my other home, Chicago. While I haven’t quite left yet, the nostalgia is already kicking in, big-time…
Partial list of things I’m going to miss about living in Mexico City:
1) My Mexican family (if they don’t kidnap me to make me stay, as they often threaten)
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4) The weather. As much as bad weather doesn’t bother me, I’m going to miss knowing that every day the weather will be perfect.
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7) My neighborhood taco stand, and the sweet, sweet tacos campechanos it serves up.
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15) Neighborhood fruit stands (and other markets of all types). The Chicago farmers markets are great, but once or twice a week in summer doesn’t quite match every day all year, and low low prices. Plus, there’s no mangos or dominicos in Chicago.
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22) Guanajuato, Acapulco, Jalapa, and countless other cool cities to visit within a 5 hour bus ride.
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37) Bugambilia, Jacarandas, and all the other flowers that are everywhere in the DF year-round.
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44) The Metrobus. Having to wait more than 30 seconds for a bus to come is going to be a rough reminder of US public transportation.
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102) Boing de Guayaba, the startlingly addictive bright pink guava drink available at taco stands and convenience stores everywhere.
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1,345—1,347) (Tie) Toss up between mosquito bites, air pollution, and lack of Ethiopian food as what I will miss least
Fun Mexican Word: Tapaboca – Literally “cover mouth”, the tapabocas craze kicked off several weeks ago when swine flu hit the news. While their use has dropped since the end of April—perhaps because people calmed down about the “pandemic”, perhaps because pharmacies and hospitals ran out of them—they still are a fairly common site on the street in Mexico City.
Picture: La Granada waterfall. I’ve already posted several pictures of this, but as it was one of the coolest things I’ve done in Mexico up to this point (or maybe just the coolest thing I’ve done recently, but whatever) I think it’s earned the right to show up multiple times on the blog.
La Granada
Something I miss (aside from all of you, of course): Oak Street Beach. I expect to be playing Frisbee there the evening after I return. June 2, you know who you are.
Something I like about DF: The lizards that I see every day scampering away as I walk by their sunning spots. (If you’re interested, that’s #256 on the list from above)
Saludos,
See you Chicagoans soon,
k
Filed under: Photo | Tags: DF, food, Fulbrighters, other people's photos, Taco Week
A delicious reminder of Taco Week
Came across this drool-inducing photo of tacos al pastor from Taco Week’s opening meal in a post on my buddy mikenote’s website and had to share. Oh man, it’s making me hungry just looking at it… I think it’s lunch time.
Where your Cuervo comes from
Northwest of Guadalajara lies Tequila, a small town whose name is famous worldwide thanks to the distilled spirit the it has been producing for hundreds of years. The town is surrounded by fields of maguey (blue agave)–the spikey plant used to make the town’s primary export–and highways lined with liquor shops trying to sell the town’s product to motorists passing through. Odd buses shaped like giant barrels and bottles ply the streets shuttling tourists between distilleries. A museum dedicated to the making of tequila sits just off the main square downtown.
It was a hot day when we were there, however, so we settled on spending our time in Tequila drinking a couple of margaritas and visiting a waterpark. Now, to be clear, we didn’t intend to visit the waterpark. We had been approached by a tour guide who tried to sell us on a trip to a waterfall in the canyon outside of town, but the bartender we asked said the waterfall was easily reached by taxi or bus for far cheaper. The bartender, unfortunately, seemed to be confused on what waterfall we had planned to see, as following his directions led us to a water park partway down the canyon (where the above picture was taken). While there was a manmade “waterfall” at the park, it was definitely not what we were looking for. As we waited for the bus to return to the town, we were told that the real waterfall was a 45 minute trek further down the canyon. Lesson learned: never trust a liquor-country bartender’s tourism advice if he needs you to explain how to make your drink (especially when it’s something as simple as a bandera).
Final Count: 100 tacos
I lost a day to stomach issues, an hour to the time change (this past weekend in Mexico), and 12 hours in various forms of transit, but at the end of the week, my quest was successful. As I consumed my 10th and final taco of the morning in Guadalajara’s marketplace–picture to come once the film is developed–I was satisfied, both with my breakfast and my journey. Not all the tacos were fantastic, not all the stands were hygienic, but when it comes down to it, I don’t regret a single bite… other than whichever one it was that gave me gastritis.
Carnes Asadas Bigo’s, Guadalajara – 7 tacos al pastor, 1 de chorizo, 1 de tripitas, and 1 final taco de barbacoa. Decent market taco stand. B
A big thanks to Juan, Maria, and Carlos, as I’m sure at least several of the taqueros who served me had one of these names.
Current Count: 90 tacos
I have until 3 PM to consume 10 tacos. The week has been more of a challenge than expected, but I’ve gotten to sample some fantastic tacos and only had one crippling bout off gastritis. I should be taking in my final tacos in the early afternoon in the town of Tequila. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll have a little toast once I finish.
El Senador, Jamay, Jalisco – 7 tacos de filete de mar a la diabla. Second visit to this fantastic restaurant on the shore of Lake Chapala. A
Tacos Mayte, Guadalajara – 3 tacos de lengua, 3 de suadero, 6 pesos each. Decent, large market stall tacos. B-
El Mexicano, Guadalajara – 11 tacos de pastor, 50 peso plate. Dry, but nothing a little guacamole couldn’t help with. C
Current count: 66 tacos
I’m back on pace to my goal of 100 tacos by the end of the week–34 tacos in the last two days leaves me two-thirds of the way to my goal despite losing a day to stomach issues. I’ve taken the challenge to the beautiful state of Jalisco, where I’m currently in Jamay, a small town on Lake Chapala with fellow Fulbrighter Mauricio (who happens to be related to half of Jamay’s population). In the next few days we’ll head to Guadalajara, Los Altos de Jalisco, and of course, the magical town of Tequila (you can guess why it’s famous).
In not particularly related, but none-the-less positive news, I bought a $5 camera (completely with film and batteries) and should eventually have some photos again. Hopefully I can get them developed and put on a CD as I have no idea what to do with actual prints anymore…
Villamelon – 4 tacos campechanos. Large, salty campechanos with chicharron thrown in as well. Busy pre-match taco shop gets a B+. 14 pesos per taco
Taco stand near Napoles Metrobus – 4 tacos campechanos. My local taco dealer, and one of the best I’ve found. 7 pesos per taco. A
Taco stand near Hospital San Vincente, Ocotlan, Jalisco – 5 tacos de birria for breakfast. a little sloppy, but delicious. 4.50 per taco. B
El Senador, Jamay, Jal. – 4 tacos de pescadilla, 3 de hueva. Fantastic view of Lake Chapala and good use of its fish. 8/7 pesos. B+
Taco stand, Jamay, Jal. – 8 tacos of some delicious marinated meat. Not completely sure what it was, other than fantastic. 6 pesos per taco. A
Taco stand, Jamay, Jalisco – 6 tacos al vapor; 3 picadillo, 2 papas, 1 chicharron. Chicharron was the best of the bunch, unforuntately at it last. 3.50 per taco. B-
Current count: 32 tacos
A day without tacos is a sad day, but yesterday, it was necessary to preserve my stomach for the rest of my quest. Following my medical team’s advice (ie myself and a few emails from friends), I spent the day doing shots of Pepto-Bismol and avoiding heartburn-provoking foods (caffeine, spicy foods, greasy foods, alcohol… ie pretty much my diet in Mexico). The day of eating nothing but rice and corn tortillas (and a couple beers that snuck in somehow) seems to have paid off, however, and I need to pick up the pace as I get back on the rails to taco town.
3:30 PM it’s off to Villamelon, a highly recommended taco shop near Estadio Azul, where I’ll be taking in a futbol match later in the evening. UUUU NI VERRR SI DAAAAD!
Taco-ing at Los Arbolitos, San Angel
