Brian and I did do some wondering of the town with cameras in hand. We ended up in one of the neighborhood parks called Santiago. Naturally ice cream was in order! Here are some images from the park and along the way.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
Carnaval de Merida and Around Town
We are here in Merida for Carnaval or as it is called in New Orleans - Mardi Gras! We didn't come particularly for this celebration but our winter getaway to revive Brian happens to coincide. I can't say that we've gone to all of the parades, since there are six in all! Nor did I take any pictures - just wanted to enjoy the time. However, one of my fellow bloggers did take pictures so I refer you to him. The Children's Parade you can find here. I understand it is often thought of as the best. Kids are always cute and they are certainly done up. One of the other evening parades can be found here. We don't even consider going to any of the daytime parades as it is WAY too hot!! I don't know how the people in the parade do it - survive even.
Brian and I did do some wondering of the town with cameras in hand. We ended up in one of the neighborhood parks called Santiago. Naturally ice cream was in order! Here are some images from the park and along the way.
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Brian and I did do some wondering of the town with cameras in hand. We ended up in one of the neighborhood parks called Santiago. Naturally ice cream was in order! Here are some images from the park and along the way.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Being Adventurous is a Matter of Degree
Brian and I, both, have always thought of ourselves as the adventurous type. At our first B&B here in Merida (we will stay at 3 to make contact with more people), we have had several occasions to talk with our fellow boarders - one Canadian couple and the other couple is American. Due to these conversations, Brian and I have had to reevaluate "adventurous." I had generally looked at this trait as something you were or weren't. No, it's really more of a scale and I don't think we are even close to the extreme end! It's been fascinating to hear their stories, where they've been, how they've traveled and how long ago they started! This is part of why I love travelling and meeting new people - I have my world expanded. Plus, I receive a more accurate perspective of myself! It's always good to keep my ego in check!!
Speaking of my ego, I think I was a bit overstated in my Foodie?! post about how I throw caution to the wind in the food arena! Last night I was faced with peppers, as in possible jalapeno type, on my nachos. I studiously was placing them in a pile to avoid. "Hmmm. Loving new taste sensations, am I?" So I tried them! Not all at once, mind you. :) A small one was meticulously placed on a chip along with all of the other goodies and in it went. Not that hot!! It was good and did enhance it all. I liked it even!! I didn't eat all of them but at least half. It's good to know my limits but be willing to challenge them too, from time to time. Otherwise, I could miss out on many good or even great adventures.
Speaking of my ego, I think I was a bit overstated in my Foodie?! post about how I throw caution to the wind in the food arena! Last night I was faced with peppers, as in possible jalapeno type, on my nachos. I studiously was placing them in a pile to avoid. "Hmmm. Loving new taste sensations, am I?" So I tried them! Not all at once, mind you. :) A small one was meticulously placed on a chip along with all of the other goodies and in it went. Not that hot!! It was good and did enhance it all. I liked it even!! I didn't eat all of them but at least half. It's good to know my limits but be willing to challenge them too, from time to time. Otherwise, I could miss out on many good or even great adventures.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
First Impressions
In brief after a whopping 48 hours:
1. The people are warm, honest and very gracious - especially with my appalling lack of Spanish!
2. Coffee - Nescafe is all too common! :( Instant coffee - can one really call it coffee?! I had mistakenly figured that the cafe con leche (coffee with milk) would be similar to what I had in Spain. Sadly mistaken. Although I have already found a wonderful coffee place, run by an expat as it turns out!
3. It's quite warm, hot even, and in the heat of the day I'm perfectly content reading, blogging or something sedentary in the shade!!
4. Loving the adventure!
1. The people are warm, honest and very gracious - especially with my appalling lack of Spanish!
2. Coffee - Nescafe is all too common! :( Instant coffee - can one really call it coffee?! I had mistakenly figured that the cafe con leche (coffee with milk) would be similar to what I had in Spain. Sadly mistaken. Although I have already found a wonderful coffee place, run by an expat as it turns out!
3. It's quite warm, hot even, and in the heat of the day I'm perfectly content reading, blogging or something sedentary in the shade!!
4. Loving the adventure!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Foodie?!
I am not a connoisseur, plain and simple. (The closest I come, perhaps, is that I'm coffee snob!) Although I may not have a refined taste, nor am I able to isolate flavors to improve a sauce, for example, I do enjoy food. I can recognize an inspired meal and revel in it!
We have started a another journey and it began with a YUM! Our departure was early out of San Francisco so we decided to go up the night before. Some wonderful friends took us up and we enjoyed the evening together. Of course dinner time came around and looking at our options around the hotel we settled on Italian cuisine. This restaurant had one of those classic Italian names - West Coast Cafe! :) Honestly with a name like that I expected standard fare and "nothing to write home about." Certainly nothing to blog about!! However, I was in heaven from beginning to end. The bruschetta was perfect and perfectly messy with diced tomatoes piled high and olive oil running onto my fingers. The basil and garlic tantalized my taste buds, waking them up and they hungered for more! They and I were not disappointed! The marsala sauce for the main course was exquisite and had to be sopped up with delicious bread to get every drop. I could go on and on, continuing with the vegetables, polenta and on through dessert. Naturally dessert was accompanied with espresso done to perfection - rich, dark and smokey. An awesome, over the top experience along with the company!
The next day we were off to Mexico, a direct flight to Cancun. We made our way to downtown, found our hotel and settled in. Tired but needing food, we opted for the easy route - the hotel restaurant. Again, would the hotel restaurant across from the bus station be inspiring? I didn't hold any high hopes. Silly Me!!
Brian and I split two meals. One of them was "chicken fillet mignon" and the other was flank steak fajitas. I figured the name of the first meal was just some sort of translation mix up. We made our orders were asked how we wanted the steak cooked and then the waiter was off to make it all happen. A minute or two later he comes back to ask how we wanted the chicken cooked - medium or well. Confused having never ever been asked how I wanted my chicken cooked, I thought maybe it was supposed to be "beef fillet mignon." No, he was asking about the chicken so I definitely said, "Well!" The mystery was partly solved when the meal came. Yes, we had chicken for one meal and beef for the other. The chicken steak was wrapped around the edge with bacon! Often I have seen fillet mignon served that way so I think that is where the confusion in translation stemmed. In any case, both meals were wonderful and a delight. I know I was really hungry, however, the flavors were amazing. We topped it off with flan, the classic Mexican dessert!
As noted earlier in my blog, a big part of traveling for me is the food! I love trying new things. The notable exceptions have been octopus and beef tongue. There are a few items I just can't get past. Although, by and large over the years and the many places I've traveled, I've let my prejudices go, having enjoyed some delicious food adventures! It's been quite a beginning to this trip.
We are now in Merida, Mexico!
We have started a another journey and it began with a YUM! Our departure was early out of San Francisco so we decided to go up the night before. Some wonderful friends took us up and we enjoyed the evening together. Of course dinner time came around and looking at our options around the hotel we settled on Italian cuisine. This restaurant had one of those classic Italian names - West Coast Cafe! :) Honestly with a name like that I expected standard fare and "nothing to write home about." Certainly nothing to blog about!! However, I was in heaven from beginning to end. The bruschetta was perfect and perfectly messy with diced tomatoes piled high and olive oil running onto my fingers. The basil and garlic tantalized my taste buds, waking them up and they hungered for more! They and I were not disappointed! The marsala sauce for the main course was exquisite and had to be sopped up with delicious bread to get every drop. I could go on and on, continuing with the vegetables, polenta and on through dessert. Naturally dessert was accompanied with espresso done to perfection - rich, dark and smokey. An awesome, over the top experience along with the company!
The next day we were off to Mexico, a direct flight to Cancun. We made our way to downtown, found our hotel and settled in. Tired but needing food, we opted for the easy route - the hotel restaurant. Again, would the hotel restaurant across from the bus station be inspiring? I didn't hold any high hopes. Silly Me!!
Brian and I split two meals. One of them was "chicken fillet mignon" and the other was flank steak fajitas. I figured the name of the first meal was just some sort of translation mix up. We made our orders were asked how we wanted the steak cooked and then the waiter was off to make it all happen. A minute or two later he comes back to ask how we wanted the chicken cooked - medium or well. Confused having never ever been asked how I wanted my chicken cooked, I thought maybe it was supposed to be "beef fillet mignon." No, he was asking about the chicken so I definitely said, "Well!" The mystery was partly solved when the meal came. Yes, we had chicken for one meal and beef for the other. The chicken steak was wrapped around the edge with bacon! Often I have seen fillet mignon served that way so I think that is where the confusion in translation stemmed. In any case, both meals were wonderful and a delight. I know I was really hungry, however, the flavors were amazing. We topped it off with flan, the classic Mexican dessert!
As noted earlier in my blog, a big part of traveling for me is the food! I love trying new things. The notable exceptions have been octopus and beef tongue. There are a few items I just can't get past. Although, by and large over the years and the many places I've traveled, I've let my prejudices go, having enjoyed some delicious food adventures! It's been quite a beginning to this trip.
We are now in Merida, Mexico!
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2
The picture that started it all!
I mean doesn't that pool and environment look inviting? I figured it was over budget (which it WAY was) but I couldn't resist looking just for fun and pleasure! Although perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself! (To see The Process - Part 1 click here.
That city which is 20K inland from the gulf coast is Merida, Mexico. Would I be bored there? I decided to take a look. OK, I come to find out that it's a city of almost a million people!! Well, there must be something to do there! I did a bit of research but in typical fashion a big part of the initial phase began with a perusal of the real estate. The picture above was a "hook" shot on the first page of a realtor's site under "featured listings." With one click I was whisked away into Spanish Colonial Architecture as I've never experienced. So many of the renovated homes are colorful, joyful and, in my opinion, works of art. I was hooked! (To see more pictures and a description of the home pictured above click here.)
In several previous posts I revealed my near obsession with the colonial architecture of Merida. I scoured a dozen or so different realty sites - for months! I got to know many properties, and they were easily recognizable to me as they appeared on other sites. Some I fell in love with. After so much time the inevitable SOLD sign would appear on some of MY properties! "Oh no!! All the good places will be gone before we get there!" I'm disappointed to see one of my favorites get sold because I just know it would have been perfect for us.
That sounds silly perhaps but this was part of relaxing and just enjoying the process. I've yet to even set foot in Merida and here I was getting disappointed if a special house was sold. So I let go and enjoyed the pictures, video tours and learning more about the city and it's neighborhoods. Of course to actually start looking for a property in another country was the beginning. Then, there was migration for reasons like cost and environment. I changed locales a few times. However, Merida seemed to fit the bill. This must be the place! Or is it? It finally sank in during the phase of seeing "my" houses sold - this was a process, a journey. No decisions have been made, even yet. There's still more to come!
To see past posts with Spanish Colonial Architecture and my fascination with these gems click on the label entitled such. For The Process - part 3 click here.
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| La Calle Escondida |
I mean doesn't that pool and environment look inviting? I figured it was over budget (which it WAY was) but I couldn't resist looking just for fun and pleasure! Although perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself! (To see The Process - Part 1 click here.
That city which is 20K inland from the gulf coast is Merida, Mexico. Would I be bored there? I decided to take a look. OK, I come to find out that it's a city of almost a million people!! Well, there must be something to do there! I did a bit of research but in typical fashion a big part of the initial phase began with a perusal of the real estate. The picture above was a "hook" shot on the first page of a realtor's site under "featured listings." With one click I was whisked away into Spanish Colonial Architecture as I've never experienced. So many of the renovated homes are colorful, joyful and, in my opinion, works of art. I was hooked! (To see more pictures and a description of the home pictured above click here.)
In several previous posts I revealed my near obsession with the colonial architecture of Merida. I scoured a dozen or so different realty sites - for months! I got to know many properties, and they were easily recognizable to me as they appeared on other sites. Some I fell in love with. After so much time the inevitable SOLD sign would appear on some of MY properties! "Oh no!! All the good places will be gone before we get there!" I'm disappointed to see one of my favorites get sold because I just know it would have been perfect for us.
That sounds silly perhaps but this was part of relaxing and just enjoying the process. I've yet to even set foot in Merida and here I was getting disappointed if a special house was sold. So I let go and enjoyed the pictures, video tours and learning more about the city and it's neighborhoods. Of course to actually start looking for a property in another country was the beginning. Then, there was migration for reasons like cost and environment. I changed locales a few times. However, Merida seemed to fit the bill. This must be the place! Or is it? It finally sank in during the phase of seeing "my" houses sold - this was a process, a journey. No decisions have been made, even yet. There's still more to come!
To see past posts with Spanish Colonial Architecture and my fascination with these gems click on the label entitled such. For The Process - part 3 click here.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Caffeine clip
I have to say that being married to Brian has increased my intake of animated films, pleasantly so. After all, I would have missed Hookwinked, if it hadn't been for him! I just wish I had a quarter of the reaction Twitchy does to my cup of Joe in the morning! I hope you enjoy this clip!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
What a Process!
I've mentioned that we have a new adventure ahead of us, namely selling the house and looking for our new home. It all started 13+ months ago!
Did we decide to move that long ago? Absolutely not! It began by randomly watching a House Hunters International show - a fractional ownership of a vacation home. I didn't know such a thing existed. I'd heard of timeshares but had no interest in that. It's important for Brian to travel during the bad weather months, perhaps then get some relief. He can at least be warm, and there comes an emotional renewal with the traveling even if it's not a cure. In any case, we travel. Can we spend less in the long run with fractional ownership than by spending money on hotels and restaurant food? An interesting prospect and I went to work researching.
No such luck finding that kind of ownership in the area we liked to return and visit. Hmmm. Could we buy something out right and then rent it the rest of the time, having it pay for itself? We like the Caribbean, doesn't everyone?! Checked out that for awhile but couldn't seem to make that work either. The prices were just on the edge of possible, but the consistency of rental income was doubtful.
Shifting gears and locations, we found some other areas that were beautiful, more affordable and quite rural. I thought, "Why not? This area is nice, too!" Then, one evening Brian and I "took a walk" via Google maps, and looked up and down the streets. Yup, very rural, no cute little cafes, and seemingly very quiet, too quiet. I'm not so big on the nightlife scene at this point in life but even I think I would be bored there. The beach is wonderful but...
Brian had always talked about this city about 20k inland, though I had never paid much attention. It was inland. I wanted the beach. Maybe I should take a look. After all, it's only 20k away from the beach. What's a half an hour travel?!
The process, thus far, takes us about 5 or 6 months into the past 13+ months. To be continued. :-)
(It did get continued! See Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2)
Did we decide to move that long ago? Absolutely not! It began by randomly watching a House Hunters International show - a fractional ownership of a vacation home. I didn't know such a thing existed. I'd heard of timeshares but had no interest in that. It's important for Brian to travel during the bad weather months, perhaps then get some relief. He can at least be warm, and there comes an emotional renewal with the traveling even if it's not a cure. In any case, we travel. Can we spend less in the long run with fractional ownership than by spending money on hotels and restaurant food? An interesting prospect and I went to work researching.
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| The Internet is Great for Research! |
Shifting gears and locations, we found some other areas that were beautiful, more affordable and quite rural. I thought, "Why not? This area is nice, too!" Then, one evening Brian and I "took a walk" via Google maps, and looked up and down the streets. Yup, very rural, no cute little cafes, and seemingly very quiet, too quiet. I'm not so big on the nightlife scene at this point in life but even I think I would be bored there. The beach is wonderful but...
Brian had always talked about this city about 20k inland, though I had never paid much attention. It was inland. I wanted the beach. Maybe I should take a look. After all, it's only 20k away from the beach. What's a half an hour travel?!
The process, thus far, takes us about 5 or 6 months into the past 13+ months. To be continued. :-)
(It did get continued! See Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
WOMEN ON THEIR WAY - Local Nation
An opportunity appeared in my email inbox. The subject line for the email read: Share your travel knowledge and enter for a chance to win! I often delete mail like that but I do have some travel knowledge and I was curious - win what? Well it wasn't thousands of dollars - bummer! As I understand it at the moment, I win the points/funds to take two trips to the Sponsor's properties and then I write for their travel blog about my experience. Not a bad deal and I get to say I'm a winner!! :-) Part of the entry is to write a 350 word "essay" (I hardly call a few paragraphs an essay but...) about travel and why I should get this privilege. Below is what I submitted.
"Traveling gives me such an appreciation of so many different things - old and new. Meeting people from other areas or countries, new sights and sounds, the food and photo opportunities are just some of what I love in the adventure of traveling, Sure, an adventure can get a bit messy, like an off-road excursion. Or, an adventure can produce conflicting reactions, for example, when scaling the heights of a mountain and you are awe-struck and unnerved at the same time. This is all metaphorically speaking since I do neither four wheeling nor climbing!
Nonetheless, the travel adventures of trying new foods, activities, customs and taking in the sites stretches me and usually enlarges my world. Life is too short to live in a small place! It's good to get away from the regular routine no matter what kind of routine it is. There is something about unfamiliarity to stimulate creativity, or open up new thought patterns or finally just relax! It's easier to see life in a slightly (or vastly) different way when out of our element.
Whether it's enjoying the shopping and energy of a big city or village life which is designed to slow you down; whether you drink in the sites from a cafe and people watch or plan your day filled with art, history and a 5 star restaurant, it's all about the experience. Travel is about allowing yourself the freedom to let go, be curious, find new passions, be surprised and reflect.
I've had the privilege of traveling to China, and many places throughout the Americas, as well as, living for over 10 years in Europe. My background is in architecture and I love photography. Photos can capture street scenes, people going about their daily lives, imposing and magnificent structures, calm and inviting beaches, any variety of landscape. They are wonderful memories and a glimpse into another world. I also enjoy sharing the world as it expands before me though word pictures because I want others to get a taste of my experience and be encouraged to go find their own travel adventure!"
What do you think? You can actually vote for me if you'd like. The voting period is in March - below is the link! :-)
Women on Their Way
"Traveling gives me such an appreciation of so many different things - old and new. Meeting people from other areas or countries, new sights and sounds, the food and photo opportunities are just some of what I love in the adventure of traveling, Sure, an adventure can get a bit messy, like an off-road excursion. Or, an adventure can produce conflicting reactions, for example, when scaling the heights of a mountain and you are awe-struck and unnerved at the same time. This is all metaphorically speaking since I do neither four wheeling nor climbing!
Nonetheless, the travel adventures of trying new foods, activities, customs and taking in the sites stretches me and usually enlarges my world. Life is too short to live in a small place! It's good to get away from the regular routine no matter what kind of routine it is. There is something about unfamiliarity to stimulate creativity, or open up new thought patterns or finally just relax! It's easier to see life in a slightly (or vastly) different way when out of our element.
Whether it's enjoying the shopping and energy of a big city or village life which is designed to slow you down; whether you drink in the sites from a cafe and people watch or plan your day filled with art, history and a 5 star restaurant, it's all about the experience. Travel is about allowing yourself the freedom to let go, be curious, find new passions, be surprised and reflect.
I've had the privilege of traveling to China, and many places throughout the Americas, as well as, living for over 10 years in Europe. My background is in architecture and I love photography. Photos can capture street scenes, people going about their daily lives, imposing and magnificent structures, calm and inviting beaches, any variety of landscape. They are wonderful memories and a glimpse into another world. I also enjoy sharing the world as it expands before me though word pictures because I want others to get a taste of my experience and be encouraged to go find their own travel adventure!"
What do you think? You can actually vote for me if you'd like. The voting period is in March - below is the link! :-)
Women on Their Way
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