Tag Archives: Mexico

Feb1

It’s Been A While

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It’s Been A While

Yes. I’m still here. I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted. The truth is that I haven’t been inspired. No. It’s not writers block. It’s completely different. I’ve still been working on my WIP. My characters are still talking to me. Actually, I think it’s the world. The uncertainty. The tension. The chaos. There’s no escape.

In my newsfeed this morning I was reading about the protests in Puerto Vallarta. The locals are demonstrating regarding injustice for a change. Apparently it now takes hours instead of minutes to access the airport, if you are able to at all. Tons of complaints about people missing their flights.

The situation in Sinaloa is worse. The government is now deploying even more troops to Culiacan in a feeble attempt to bring peace to the area. They’ve been unsuccessful so far and I doubt that this action will have much of an impact.

There are blizzards in Florida. Iguanas are falling out of trees. Other local wildlife are struggling for their lives in this rather unusual climate. Disney is closing rides involving water and reducing hours in the theme parks. There are a lot of red flags on the beaches.

And I won’t even touch on the political climate in Canada or the USA. Or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. It is what it is.

January was a great month for my Seahawks. They annihilated the 49ers and beat out the Rams in a close one. On to the Super Bowl next Sunday! Go Seahawks!

I’m looking forward to watching some of the Winter Olympics on TV. I wonder how you say “bobsledding” in Spanish.

I’m off to Wateke Weekend later this afternoon. I’m craving a Jumbo Dog smothered in onions and tomatoes and salsas. It will be a nice change from cochinita pibil.

Jan6

Remember This One?

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Remember This One?

Who remembers their mom baking a birthday cake with a coin in it? My mom never did but I remember going to birthday parties where other moms did. As if a birthday cake in itself wasn’t exciting enough, now there was the added element of surprise. Who would find that lucky coin that symbolized good things in the year to come? Okay, so it was just a superstition, but it sure added to the fun at a birthday party.

Today, January 6th, is King’s Day here in Mexico. That is synonymous with Rosca de Reyes. And it is every bit as delicious as it looks in the photo. This amazing oval loaf of bread doesn’t contain coins. But it does have small figurines of the baby Jesus baked inside. If you are lucky enough to find one, then you bring the tamales and the atole to the celebration on February 2nd, Dia de la Candelaria. And adults are just as gleeful about this as children.

When I lived in Mazatlan, I took a cooking course where I learned to make a variety of traditional Mexican foods. And yes, Rosca was one of them. But like many other dishes I learned to cook or bake, it is far easier to buy this wonderful delicacy than to make it yourself. At this time of year bakeries are filled with Rosca. And speaking of filled, there are lots of variations. Fillings of cajeta, Nutella, cream cheese, almond paste, fruits and nuts are quite popular.

Buenelas move over. Rosca is here.

Dec27

Boxing Day

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Boxing Day

December 26th was synonymous with Boxing Day when I lived in Canada. No, it wasn’t a day to put on the gloves and rumble about in a ring. It is a day steeped in tradition although this seems to have changed dramatically over the years.

As a child, I have treasured memories of visiting my Auntie Florence with my parents. She was a friend of my mother’s but I called her Auntie. A large tree adorned her living room resplendent with vintage ornaments including real candles and shiny tinsel. Back then those were not considered a fire hazard. A beautiful pump organ filled a wall. Auntie Florence would patiently sit beside me on a bench and man the pedals while I attacked the keyboard. Afterwards we would have tea and delightful homemade Christmas cookies. Those were magical afternoons.

As an adult, Boxing Day sales became the norm. I recall buying everything from stereo equipment to leather furniture on those days. Of course it was necessary to fight the crowds of other bargain hunters. This day was akin to Black Friday in the USA. And yes, occasionally my kids would come long and add to the chaos.

But I have other memories of my kids on Boxing Day. They were competitive bowlers in the YBC program in Canada. Boxing Day Doubles at Rossmere Lanes became the norm. I enjoyed cheering them on. If the truth be told, I preferred the tournament over department store sales.

As mentioned above, Boxing Day is a day steeped in tradition so I’ll digress to a brief history lesson. Back in 1874, England declared December 26th as a bank holiday. Servants who had to work on this day were given boxes containing gifts, bonuses or food. The church distributed alms boxes to the poor. Tradespeople were also given boxes containing gifts or money.

Boxing Day is mostly limited to the Commonwealth countries and is not well-known in the USA although Canada is a close geographical neighbor. However, there is the tradition of a Christmas bonus which seems to be quite common in companies worldwide.

I’m in Mexico now where the 26th is just an ordinary day. I went to the bank, ate breakfast at a restaurant and then went for a long walk. I spoke to friends from Washington and Winnipeg on the phone. I listened to an audiobook in English and watched a movie in Spanish on TV.

And that’s it for Boxing Day this year.

Dec23

La Nochebuena

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La Nochebuena

The poinsettia plant has long been synonymous with Christmas. Here in Mexico, these colorful red flowers grow on small trees. When I taught in Tlaquepaque years ago, one of these beautiful trees was actually growing out in the courtyard of the school. While the traditional color is red, there are many other colors now available.

In Mexico, the Aztecs used these plants for dye and medicine. Franciscan monks then used them in nativity scenes. The star shape symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, while the red color symbolizes the blood of Christ.

Although native to Mexico, this plant was named after Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Back in the 1800s, he gave many of these colorful plants as Christmas gifts to family and friends. And poinsettias have increased in popularity over the years.

Nochebuena in Mexico is also the term used for Christmas Eve. This is the time of the big celebration, when families gather together to attend a mass at church and enjoy sumptuous dinners. This differs greatly from Christmas Day celebrations in the rest of North America.

I wish all my readers a holiday season filled with love, peace, hope and joy.

Merry Christmas!

Dec18

First Washington Now Winnipeg

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First Washington Now Winnipeg

This morning I wandered down to the tianguis on my street. It was a tad chilly, a mere 60 degrees. But the sun was shining brightly. And I’ve gotten used to seeing Mexicans wearing ski jackets and scarves in this weather. Lots of hats and gloves too. Me? A short-sleeve top instead of a tank top.

Washington was hit with a second atmospheric river. Once again the wind toppled trees and downed power lines. Lots of evacuations on the west side. And now there are blizzard and heavy snowfall warnings out across the state.

Winnipeg is completely shut down today as a massive blizzard attacked the city and the surrounding areas. Glad I’m not there either, although I do recall blizzards in the past when I braved those Winnipeg winters in my younger days. The good thing about a Winnipeg blizzard is that it blows in and blows out fairly quickly. While it does cripple the city, plows are usually able to clean things up fast. And the highways are not destroyed as is the case in Washington.

Highway 2 west of Leavenworth is closed. That is huge! Not only is this the most direct route to Seattle, it is also one of two main mountain passes between Leavenworth and Seattle. Landslides, mudslides and flooding have taken their toll. A fifty mile stretch of highway no longer exists. Barring any more inclement weather, it is predicted that repairs will be complete and the highway passable hopefully by the end of February.

The only other option is Blewett-Snoqualmie, a more scenic but less direct route also notorious for harsh winter weather. Delays are already all too common and now it will definitely take much longer to travel to Seattle with the increased traffic on this route.

I’m thankful that I’m here in Mexico, although I admit I do occasionally dream of a white Christmas.

Dec10

So I Went To The Hospital Last Night

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So I Went To The Hospital Last Night

Hospital MAC Aguascalientes Norte. This is an amazing facility in the north end of the city. Both the hospital and the adjacent medical tower feature state of the art equipment. There are 477 consulting rooms for the various specialists, one of whom I saw last night.

But I need to back this up a little. My friend Arcelia and her husband own a small cafe in San Marcos. I was having breakfast with Arcelia and two other friends yesterday when I mentioned that my ear was blocked. Arcelia immediately offered to take me to a doctor two doors down from the cafe. It was noon by now. After less than a 5 minute wait, we were shown into the examining room. Although my Spanish is quite good, it was nice to have Arcelia with me as a translator. I also had an app on my phone for medical terms in addition to the usual Google translator. In broken English and fluent Spanish, the doctor explained to me that he didn’t have the proper equipment to help me. I was rather surprised. In Canada my family doctor never had a problem with syringing my ears when necessary. After an approximately fifteen minute discussion, he referred me to a specialist at MAC. He also refused to charge me for the office visit. He felt badly that he couldn’t help me and had to refer me to a specialist. Just imagine a doctor in Canada or the USA doing that!

I was a little discouraged and more than a little anxious at this point. My ear had been blocked for 4 days. Arcelia then contacted the office of the ENT specialist and I was completely blown away that I had been given an appointment for 7 pm. Really? A referral to a specialist and being seen that very same day? Never would happen in Canada or the USA!

To my surprise the doctor spoke English. And I have to tell you, seeing a doctor here in Mexico is very different. It feels more like a social call. Once the doctor had entered my medical history on the computer, I was then guide over to a chair in front of a huge monitor on the wall, not your typical computer or TV screen. I was treated to a clear view of the impacted wax in my ear that had been causing me distress. The entire time she was working on my ears (and it turns out my good ear wasn’t really in that good a shape either) we talked about a variety of things, among them Arcelia’s cafe and the conversation club we have there. The doctor also checked my nose and throat while she was at it. Thankfully those were just fine.

An hour with the specialist and I walked out of there a different person. In just under $50 US, it came to hundreds of dollars less than the deductible on my travel health policy. I won’t even comment. You can draw your own conclusions. And the cost to park in the hospital parkade was about sixty cents US per hour.

By the way, I only use private clinics and hospitals. The government-run ones, such as IMSS, are a whole different story. Maybe I’ll save that for another blog post.

In the meantime, I’ve had to adjust the volume on my TV, my computer and my cellphone. And I’ve noticed just how loud the fan in my bedroom is!

Nov11

November 11

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November 11

It was called Remembrance Day in Canada when I was growing up. I always thought it unfair that we had to go to school for a service while my dad had to close his business and got to stay at home. I remember that all students in the school congregated in the gymnasium. We sang O Canada and O God Our Help In Ages Past. There was the standard Last Post and Reveille. I recall men in uniform and a speaker. We all wore poppies. We sang God Save The Queen. And after about an hour we were dismissed and allowed to go home.

In 2016 I was in Leavenworth, Washington on November 11th. Veteran’s Day in America meant honoring all those who had served in the armed forces. Restaurants offered specials for veterans. Tables were decorated with American flags. There was a more festive feel to this day than what I had experienced previously on November 11th in Canada.

In Mexico November 11th is not recognized as the big holiday in the month. That honor goes to Revolution Day on November 20th, although November 17th is the day people take off in order to have a long weekend. Banks and government buildings are closed as well as many businesses.

Revolution Day marks the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Madero led a group of followers up against the dictator Diaz, demanding equality and a more democratic country. Parades and historical reenactments are common on this day.

Today is November 11th. This afternoon Ricardo is bringing me enchiladas and taquitos. Then I will go to a cafe to facilitate my weekly Conversation Club with Mexicans who are eager to improve their grasp of the English language.

Enjoy your day.

Oct31

What A Week!

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What A Week!

Tonight can’t be Halloween already. Of course in Mexico the celebration of Dia De Los Muertos culminates with a parade tonight and partying in cemeteries over the weekend. Here in Aguascalientes there is quite the display in El Centro along with music, dancing and food.

But I’m passing on the parade this year. I will be watching the Blue Jays-Dodgers game. And yes, I watched all 18 innings Monday night. And I sincerely hope the Blue Jays take it on home turf. It’s been quite a series.

I’m settling in for the winter. I first discovered Aguascalientes in 2019. I arrived in January for three weeks after spending a couple of months in Culiacan and San Ciro de Acosta. I intended to stay for 3 weeks but stayed for 3 months. I returned that fall determined to visit the museums I had missed the previous winter. But Covid came along and I wound up staying until September of 2020 when I was able to get back to Washington. I returned to Aguascalientes in the fall of 2021 and it has become my winter home.

My Spanish has been getting a workout here in Las Flores. I’m not pantomiming as much when I shop at the tiendita or at the tianguis. And conversations with neighbors are going well although I still feel they speak way too quickly. I understand more when they speak slowly.

Yesterday I met some of my Mexican friends at Country Break for lunch. This is a quaint little restaurant that plays country music in English, although it is part of a Mexican chain. Great hamburgers and fries. A very popular place with Mexicans.

Speaking of food, Ricardo is cooking for me again and I am absolutely delighted. Tomorrow he is bringing me prime rib of beef Mexican style and 3 types of tamales. Earlier in the week I enjoyed chiles rellenos, enchiladas suizas and lasagna. Yes, he makes a wicked lasagna!

I got together with another friend and we had breakfast at La Palapa de Charly, another favorite restaurant. Delicious omelets are served with chilaquiles and beans. And the turtles still greet you at the entrance.

I belong to a book club in Cashmere and I’m keeping up by reading books on Libby now that I’m back in Mexico. The current book is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. I’m almost finished it and will email my comments to Joanne to share at the meeting next week.

I’ve also watched 2 interesting movies in Spanish this week. I pass on the subtitles. It’s a great way to improve my Spanish. Friends have recommended that I watch soap operas, but I prefer movies. Occasionally I opt for The Simpsons or Dora The Explorer. But movies are more my thing.

And that’s what I’m going to do right now. I’m going to watch a movie while I eat my lunch.

Have a great weekend!

Oct19

Last Post From Washington in 2025

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Last Post From Washington in 2025

I love fall. It’s my favorite season. The trees are in all their glory. The snow glistens high up on the mountaintops. But it’s also bittersweet as my time here has once again come to an end for this year. Washington is such a beautiful state. Every time I return I am in awe of the beauty; the views that most Washingtonians take for granted.

The past few days have been a blur of goodbyes with friends as well as last lunches and dinners together. Thursday was my last Life Group for a while. Yesterday was one last movie at Gateway. And this morning was one last church service here in East Wenatchee.

This afternoon the sun is shining brightly outside although the temperature has dropped. I have a Lifetime movie on in the background while I pack. But at the moment I’m taking a break to write this post.

I received a message from my daughter in Canada. She is into Powerlifting and tomorrow she is off to Panama to compete in the Internationals. Very exciting! I hope to watch her online as I’ve done before. Maybe someday I’ll get to watch her in person.

I fly out of Pangborn on Tuesday. Three flights and a bus trip and I’ll be home in Aguascalientes.

But the packing cubes are calling. My next post will be from Mexico.

Saludos!

Oct14

Countdown Continues

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Countdown Continues

A week from today at this time I’ll be somewhere up in the air between Seattle and Los Angeles. The days between now and then are full. Actually, all my days are full. I wonder where I ever found the time to raise kids, work and volunteer before I retired.

This morning I went to Soul Sisters at church. No Zoom for this Bible Study so it will be by snail mail email. I told everyone they get their goodbye hugs at church this Sunday.

I spent two hours organizing and backing up the pics on my laptop. Then I downloaded more from my phone and backed those up. I really need to do this more regularly. Then it won’t be such a tedious undertaking.

Tomorrow morning is my last writers group meeting until next year. This group has been a great source of support and encouragement. Once again, no Zoom. But we can email files to each other and keep in touch by phone. I will miss our lunches together after the meetings. This is an opportunity to converse and get to know each other better other than just by our writing styles.

On Thursday it will be my last small group for a while. We share a meal together before delving into a Bible Study. And the fellowship after is most enjoyable. It’s always a late night and I am quite content to sleep in on Friday morning.

I’m not sure what’s happening on Friday. Joanne and I haven’t decided yet. All I know at this point is that it won’t involve volunteering lol. When Joanne asked me what I want to do I told her I want to go to Cashmere and never leave. If only that truly were a possibility!

I had an interesting email from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. A warning about flooding and landslides in central Mexico. Hmmm. I decided not to fly in on the coast because of the current hurricane activity. Hopefully Guadalajara stays high and dry.

We’ve actually had some rain here in East Wenatchee. And there is snow up in the mountains. So I know it is time for me to leave. The temperatures have dropped and I’ve been layering and bundling up. I have plans for the weekend so I hope it doesn’t get too cold.

“Procrastination is the thief of time.” Charles Dickens.

I better get back to sorting through documents.