No Way Jose !
Stereotyping and Generalizations
It has been over two years since I last posted a journal entry.
A very busy time and I apologize for the long silence
We have built a home in Centro,
the historical district of San Miguel Allende
in the state of Guanajuato
 |
| Buildings in central Mexico are built of masonry WOOD IS SCARCE IN MUCH OF MEXICO |
 |
| The Guanajuato Countryside |
CASA LALA
The finished project is under wraps until after publication
in 2017
If you go back to my last journal entry
August 2014
Do you know the way to San Miguel ?
San Miguel is for Lovers...
you will better understand
August 2014
Do you know the way to San Miguel ?
San Miguel is for Lovers...
you will better understand
why we fell in love with this magical town
 |
| THE PARROQUIA |
This is Mexico ???
 |
| NO CAPTION NEEDED A fun easy read that gives a Gringo insight into the culture and the people |
Living here we have learned that
generalizations and stereotyping simply don't apply
Mexicans are industrious and hardworking
I promise you will never see one snoozing
(under a cactus anywhere)
They work from sunrise to sunset 6 days a week
RAIN or SHINE
They will keep at it till you are happy with results
They simply have a different mind set culturally
from what
GRINGOS
(North Americans)
are used to
Mexicans are Americans too !
Best NOT forget that
Siesta
is between 1:30-4:00
when lunch is taken
Sundays are for family
FAMILY FIRST & ALWAYS
Siesta literally translates into a 20-30 minute nap
It has become customary to take a short rest after lunch
in countries where
the weather gets very hot
I have never seen anyone
take a nap on a job site
In Britain where the weather is often chilly and wet
the tradition of siesta seems to be at least as good
photo by others
A COZE EVENT
fit for a queen
Followed by Afternoon TEA
(with scones and clotted cream)
another GREAT IDEA
photo by others
YUMMY
For all going through withdrawal
from DOWNTOWN ABBEY
Tune in to NETFLIX
Premiering November 4
A NETFLIX
10 PART EXTRAVAGANZA
The biographical first years
of the young queen's reign
Gone Fishing
So speaking of Wanderlust ...
pick up a copy
of this gorgeous book by
fellow San Miguel resident
and lover of Mexico
Michelle Nussbaumer
And as for your appetite...
Green Pozole
A delicious, light and hearty soup
Viva Mexico
FOR THE STOCK
generalizations and stereotyping simply don't apply
Mexicans are industrious and hardworking
I promise you will never see one snoozing
(under a cactus anywhere)
RAIN or SHINE
They will keep at it till you are happy with results
They simply have a different mind set culturally
from what
GRINGOS
(North Americans)
are used to
Mexicans are Americans too !
Best NOT forget that
Siesta
is between 1:30-4:00
when lunch is taken
Sundays are for family
FAMILY FIRST & ALWAYS
 |
| COMIDA is FAMILY TIME and can stretch well into the afternoon |
It has become customary to take a short rest after lunch
in countries where
the weather gets very hot
I have never seen anyone
take a nap on a job site
 |
| COZE LINEN BRITISH Merchants of Fine Linen Instagram@coze_linen
SO CIVILIZED
......and good for you
|
the tradition of siesta seems to be at least as good
A COZE EVENT
fit for a queen
Followed by Afternoon TEA
(with scones and clotted cream)
another GREAT IDEA
YUMMY
 |
| Water for tea should be boiled in an all cast iron pot to get the full flavor and health benefits Authentic and beautiful cast iron teapots will be available at |
 |
| www.cremamarket.com a Cafe and Curated Mercantile COMING 2017 |
For all going through withdrawal
from DOWNTOWN ABBEY
Tune in to NETFLIX
Premiering November 4
A NETFLIX
10 PART EXTRAVAGANZA
The biographical first years
of the young queen's reign
 |
| The young Elizabeth with Prince Charles |
 photo by others |
| The Queen hosts President Nieto of Mexico during the president's visit to Britain in 2014 |
Mexico is NO MORE DANGEROUS than most places !!!
 | ||
| The national symbol of Mexico Golden Eagle with a Snake in its beak perched on a Prickly Pear cactus The symbol originated with the Aztecs  Legend has it that a golden eagle landed on a Cactus in the spot the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan ( aka Mexico City DF) was built (No snake originally)
|
 Mexico's streets are not filled with gunslingers or machete throwers | |
 their firecrackers and fireworks Mexico is safe if you use good judgement Avoid dangerous areas just as you would in New York or Chicago, Paris or London
MEXICO is FUN !!!!
MEXICO is fascinating!!!
 Prince Charles visits The Pyramids in Tenochtitlan Coat and tie NOT required Mexico is super casual and relaxed The Prince came from afar... This amazing country is right at the back door of the United States 4 hours flight time from almost any major US city |
Mexico is NOT just the beach !!!
No way Jose
No way Jose
Never quite know where our travels will lead to
or what we will learn -
kind of like my entries
Mexico can boast many glorious stretches on three coasts
San Miguel Allende
San Miguel Allende
THE HAMPTONS of MEXICO
it is a hill town with steep cobbled streets
The 17th century architecture has FLAT roofs
Impenetrable facades hide what lies beyond
and must be painted the required variations
on Terracottas and Curry
it is a hill town with steep cobbled streets
The 17th century architecture has FLAT roofs
Impenetrable facades hide what lies beyond
and must be painted the required variations
on Terracottas and Curry
Destination PATZQUARO
in the state of Michoacan
Recycling is BIG business
in the state of Michoacan
Share the road
Trucks loaded with assorted hauls
Trucks loaded with assorted hauls
Pork is the preferred protein of Mexico
 |
| CHAMORRO Braised Pork Shank (not to be confused with an Austronesian language spoken on Guam) |
Do not expect to find the Burritos or Tostadas
you know from your local Chevy's
Mexico's Culinary heritage is as varied as it's many regions
Mexico has become a world destination for foodies
Young Mexican chefs
Young Mexican chefs
bring a fresh point of view to the recipes they learned from their Abuelas
photo by others
Chiles en Nogada
boasting the colors of the Mexican flag
A traditional dish served during the months of August and September
boasting the colors of the Mexican flag
A traditional dish served during the months of August and September
Leaving the arid cactus covered terrain of Guanajuato
the landscape changes....
the landscape changes....
and gives way to lowlands flooded and marshy
natural habitats for water fowl
Every village boasts at least one church
or three or more
Worth a detour off the main road
Where wood is plentiful
natural habitats for water fowl
Every village boasts at least one church
or three or more
Worth a detour off the main road
Michoacan supplies agricultural products
to all of Mexico and beyond
FIELDS OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS
I LOVE THIS BILLBOARD
Mexico is NOT dirty !!!!
No way Jose
Streets are clean
Shopkeepers wash down sidewalks daily
First stop - COMONFORT
The home of the MOLCAJETE
The Mexican version of a mortar and pestle
REQUIRED to make proper salsas and guacamole
SALSA ROJO
The CLEAN streets are paved and FLAT
Bike deliveries make sense
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| LUNCH TIME |
Fresh handmade Gorditas filled
with whatever Mama has prepared
Filling choices are endless ranging from mushrooms
to pork and chicken
VERY FILLING- hard to eat more than one
FEAR OF EATING ???
Let it go !!!
Eating from street vendors is safe
You will NOT get Montezuma's Revenge
THE EMPEROR OF THE AZTECS
Stick to cooked foods and bottled drinks
AVOID ANY RAW VEGETABLES AND ICE CUBES
You'll be just fine !
Just don't let down your guard on the airplane
going home- This is where many problems arise
On the road again
headed toward TzinTzunTzan
Fields are abloom with cultivated flowers headed for market
The landscape changes yet again as we
approach the wooded regions that cover
60% of the state of Michoacan
Architecture and crafts change dramatically
This is Mexico ???
Looks more like Tahoe
These "CABANAS" are often whimsical and
sprout dormers from every side
Wood covered boat launches
dot the many lakes in the region
and the imagery is not like anything
I ever associated with Mexican design
NO WAY JOSE
With the arrival of the Spaniards
and the conquests of Cortez , the serpent was added
to the seal of the eagle on the cactus,
representing good overcoming evil
in attempt to evangelise the natives
DIEGO RIVERA MURAL
Cortez meeting with the Aztec leaders
Ministry of Education Mexico City
HERNAN CORTEZ
They built churches and missions
enlisting the local natives
and converting them to Catholicism
See my Journal
July 2014
EL CONVENTO DE SAN FRANCISCO
Built by the Franciscan Order
on the site of pre Columbian places of worship
St Francis of Assisi
Frescoed into the walls of the Convento
He is the patron saint of TZINTZUNTZAN
Mastering the Indian names is tougher than learning Spanish
Love how the spring point of this archway
hits the adjoining wall
Floor stones are also from dismantled pyramids
The natives were taught to paint frescoes
depicting their conquerors
and sculpt plaster into intricate shapes
as they still do today
the uncovered square of stone
exposed in the plaster wall
reveals a carved stone from an ancient pyramid
The Franciscans planted olive trees
Massive twisted trunks reveal their 500 years of age
Local natives maintain the grounds
Last year the entire convent compound and interiors
underwent massive restoration
Young unemployed people of the town were invited to work
on the project and learn the art of restoration
What remains of the YACATA pyramids of TzinTzunTzan
after they were dismantled
and reused to build the churches
From Tzintzuntzan the road leads to Patzquaro
Via
QUIROGA for lunch
Local specialty- CARNITAS
So many stands chopping away
Ask for MIGAJAS- (mee-ga-has) the crispy crunchy crumbs of meat
I tried to buy a chopping block from one of the vendors
NO WAY JOSE !
QUIROGA
a good place to buy black and green pottery
and wood carved products
Shopping with the locals
Pass through fields of wild flowers
and pine forests
and the remains of wooden CABANAS
that have not survived the elements
LAKE PATZQUARO
Magnificent vistas
The very distinctive and required architectural style and coloration
of all buildings in the town of PATZQUARO
Roofs are pitched slightly and tiled
Every home and business MUST comply
Carved stone Over Door
Royal Customs House Entry
The REAL ADUANA
Now a small boutique hotel right off the main square
Built as the Royal Customs House in the mid 16th century
The Real Aduana is now a private home
with 5 glorious suites for overnight lodging
SO tastefully done
Even the utility areas are charming
A perfect blending of
Mexican Spanish and French style
reflecting the backgrounds
of the charming owners Gemma and Didier
Tell them Rela sent you
The famous fisherman and casting nets on Lake Patzquaro
SO much more to share of Mexico
coming in future entries
Have I whetted your Appetite ?
your Wanderlust ?
Hope to have diminished
some pre-conceived notions and generalizations
PLEASE
follow me on Instagram
@relagleasondesign
and
@crema_market
pick up a copy
of this gorgeous book by
fellow San Miguel resident
and lover of Mexico
Michelle Nussbaumer
And as for your appetite...
Green Pozole
A delicious, light and hearty soup
Viva Mexico
Green Pozole
1 large roasted chicken- Remove all the meat and shred or dice as preferred
Set aside- Saves you cooking and has MUCH more flavor for the stock than raw
I prefer Costco's
YES we have Costco in Mexico and the chicken is exactly as in the US
1 pound tomatillos husked
2 bunches cilantro
3 onions ( 1/2 finely chopped for garnish)
bay leaf
3 serrano chiles
6 cloves garlic
Hominy ( 2 cans or at a Mexican market you can find the fresh in plastic bags)
Set aside- Saves you cooking and has MUCH more flavor for the stock than raw
I prefer Costco's
YES we have Costco in Mexico and the chicken is exactly as in the US
1 pound tomatillos husked
2 bunches cilantro
3 onions ( 1/2 finely chopped for garnish)
bay leaf
3 serrano chiles
6 cloves garlic
Hominy ( 2 cans or at a Mexican market you can find the fresh in plastic bags)
Chicken stock- Caldo en español
A good stock is critical to the success of this soup I make mine with the carcass of a rotisserie chicken skin and bones
FOR THE STOCK
Put carcass into a large pot with 4 stalks celery, 6 peeled carrots- 2 whole onions 3 cloves garlic and a bunch of cilantro with 8 Cups water. Bring it to a boil- lower heat- cover and simmer for 2-3 hours. You may add Knorr broth powder if you feel it needs more flavour .
Season with salt and pepper to taste and strain.
Chill and remove all congealed fat
Cook the husked tomatillos with 1 onion (quartered) 3 cloves garlic and serrano chiles (seeded) in 4 cups water . Bring to a boil, lower heat cover and simmer about 1 hour till tender
Drain vegetables and run through blender with an additional 1/2 bunch cilantro -be very careful- IT's HOT
Saute the puree in a little olive oil for about 3 minutes stirring. Add the Caldo ( stock) to pot and continue cooking about 20 minutes
Add the hominy and half the chopped chicken
Cook an additional 15 minutes
Chill and remove all congealed fat
Cook the husked tomatillos with 1 onion (quartered) 3 cloves garlic and serrano chiles (seeded) in 4 cups water . Bring to a boil, lower heat cover and simmer about 1 hour till tender
Drain vegetables and run through blender with an additional 1/2 bunch cilantro -be very careful- IT's HOT
Saute the puree in a little olive oil for about 3 minutes stirring. Add the Caldo ( stock) to pot and continue cooking about 20 minutes
Add the hominy and half the chopped chicken
Cook an additional 15 minutes
Garnishes- the more the merrier
Chopped or sliced radishes
Chopped or sliced avocado
Shredded cabbage
Minced jalapeno chiles
Finely chopped onion
Peeled sunflower seeds
Limes
Crema- available at all Mexican markets (optional)
In large soup bowl arrange a small mound of shredded cabbage and chunks or shredded chicken meat
Ladle steaming hot Pozole over the cabbage and chicken and serve at once. Let everyone garnish their soup to their own taste
Buen Provecho !
Rela
Buen Provecho !
Rela
