This little Piggy...

This little piggy went to market,

This little piggy stayed at home,

This little piggy had roast beef,

This little piggy had none.

And this little piggy sneezed... and everyone went home...

OK, that's not exactly how it goes...

Here in Mérida signs of the Flu 'scare' are evident. Schools, churches, social events like baseball games, all but 'essential' services have been cancelled until at least May 6. The streets are fairly empty, we went out for lunch the other day and it was like a Sunday in that there was very little traffic out and the restaurant business was very slow. Lots of businesses are closed and a few people were wearing masks on the street. At the grocery store yesterday the workers were wearing both masks and gloves. Ports of Call (Progresso, Cancun, Playa, Cozumel, etc) have been cancelled, and of course the 'Avoid Mexico' warnings are really going to affect tourism. I think the planes are the biggest threat, but that's just me.

I had head people were making a run on the grocery store but yesterday the crowd was significantly less than normal, and Wednesday is a regular grocery run for me and many others since Wednesday is big discounts on produce (fruits, veggies, etc). I heard on the radio yesterday that the alert level was at 5, but today the US News says the WHO just raised it so maybe that was our local govt elevation.

We had garden workers here yesterday and they didn't leave till nearly 9pm; I was in no mood or energy level to fix dinner so Tom walked to the corner for Tortas, and he said La Poderosa was empty; now that is really unusual, La Poderosa is always hopping busy.

Another concern is for the financial stability of the small business people here that rely on us, and tourism to earn their living.

Here's a pretty good article just out http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/med_swine_flu

Well Tom and I are fine, so far healthy and safe, plus we sent the pig to the farm for the week, sort of a forced piggy vacation. OK, really, we don't have a pig. I don't know the state of the Tamiflu medicine here in Mérida, but I sure hope it's here if we need it! OK - I just sneezed so need to go wash my hands for 75 seconds, and then disinfect the keyboard with a bleach solution.

A friend sent this CDC recommendation on how to avoid the Swine flu - they say

"Don't do This"

Seems like good advice

A Time to Rest

I've been holed up at the house for 4 days. It's been GREAT! I didn't actually leave the house for two solid days. I think I really needed time to just veg.

I didn't even do any fun stuff, well I did make more mango chutney; not because I went out, but because Rita rang my bell and had mangos 4 for 10pesos. And I've been making and eating alot of Waldorf type salad; I make it with coconut yogurt instead of mayo, and toasted pecans, oh my gosh, I need to go check and see if there is any left over in the fridge...be right back. Mostly I watched TV, sat in front of the computer, and napped, walked around the garden, napped, sat in front of the computer, and watched TV. I even started re-reading Harry Potter, The Half-Blood Prince because you do know that the movie is to be released in July don't you!

It's been very relaxing. I even blew off Spanish classes, and cooking class. Now Spanish classes are cancelled until after May 6, probably cooking classes as well since they aer put on at a Government Hospital Extension.

I did go out to the vivero yesterday for some plants - and in talking to the young fellow there, Marcello, I brought him back to the house and he's going to start doing some gardening for me. He is so informed about plants. We'll see how this works out!

Today it's back to reality - We both have our annual eye exams today - at 6:30. And I just made plans to see some friends for lunch. Then the merry-go-round starts anew; Entertaining, being entertained, appointments, visitors, etc. It's a great life!

Oh, and I haven't forgotten my promise for some interesting ideas for blogs, I just haven't been out to get it started yet; cuz there have to be photos.

2nd Annual Latin American Bloggers Summit comes to an end

We ended the 2nd Annual Latin American Bloggers Summit with breakfast at the Hotel Colonial this morning.

It was so nice to meet the fellow bloggers; to put actual faces and personalities to each other. Not that we don’t have a sense of each other from our blogs; we share photos, family, tears, fears, joy, and encouragement.

The Event went well, everyone seemed to enjoy the presentations on Friday, and the Salsa music at Cumbancheros, and of course the Welcome Cocktail Party at Jonna and Mimi’s on Thursday. We (Tom and I) had to miss the early activities on Saturday because of a friend’s 65th Surprise Birthday Party but were able to connect with a small group in the evening for some local entertainment and a few cervezas.

I’d say it was a success and really want to let those that traveled how much I appreciate their effort to get here, and also a Big Thanks to Theresa for putting this all together!

I can hardly wait to find out where next years gathering will be!

The 2nd Annual Latin American Bloggers Summit

The 2nd Annual Latin American Bloggers Summit is currently underway here in Mérida. Last years event was on Isla Mujeres. Last night was the Kick Off Party, where those of us who could gathered to meet; some of us for the first time. Although you really feel like you get to know people after you've followed their blog for a while.

Today we had a number of excellent presentations and discussions;

Wayne on Digital Photography
Ellen on making money with your blog
Theresa on finding your blog's focus
Paul and Susan finding inspiration for your posts

We all talked about how we got started blogging, and why we continue with it.

And Heather handed out this years homework assignment; you'll have to wait to find out what that is!

Then we headed out for a few beers and botanas. What a fun group; and I must say I am inspired. I was feeling a bit off about blogging because I was not sure of my focus, or if stuff I write is interesting or pertinent - I am inspired with a whole page listed with ideas. So watch out!
We're on a mid-day break, resting from the mid-day heat. The group reconvenes in about an hour for a tour of Centro, because not all of the attendees live here in Mérida, then out for an evening of cuban music, and well most likely a few more beers, and what I am sure will be animated discussions on topics of great world and economic importance.

It's fun to get to meet the people behind the blogs, to discuss the how's and why's of what they do and why and how they do it, how to keep up the energy and interest, to share ideas and get feedback. I'm sure there will be surge of interesting topics in the coming months.

Most of the group was taking pictures - I wasn't, but maybe later. So, well, maybe, I'll have some cool blogs pretty soon!

Restaurant Review - Marlin Azul

When Tom and I want fish, and don't want to go out to the beach, we go to Marlin Azul.

Merida, Centro, calle 62 between 57 and 59

Marlin Azul is a small place, open only during the day; 7am - 4pm (more or less).

There is a small carreta/cart at the front where you grab a taco or torta to go. The front of this little cart is the only thing that shows their name, so if they are closed it's very difficult to locate them. There is also an inside aire conditioned side with separate entrance just to the left, again with no visible name.

The open front area that you notice is a very small diner like area with a counter with stools, and 4 tables that can seat 3 each (because they are against a wall).

On the day I finally decided to take photos to be able to blog it I decided 2 plates of the same thing wasn't good, so I ordered the fish soup, caldo de pescado. It is Oh My Gosh good.


This is how the soup is served


Then you dress it up the way you like


And this is the filete empanizado - It is a beautifully crunchy moist fish filete fried, but dry, not grease soaked at all, and So Damned Good. Truth be told I typically order the filete a la plancha just because I presume it to be lower in fat, but the empanizado is really much better. This plate is currently 39 pesos, under the filete is salad and rice, with a side of tortillas.

So for a beer, limonada, soup, and fish plate - I believe the total was 89 pesos

THey also make really excellent guacamole, and ceviche. An order of guacamole is 25pesos, and the ceviche mixto is I think 59pesos. I should have photographed a menu!

Tropical Fruit - Mamey

I'm one of the few people I know that enjoys a mamey - to the point that I will just spoon mamey from the skin and eat it straight. I think they are wonderful. I think they taste a bit like a cooked pumpkin or sweet potato with a bit of sugar and spice mixed in.

Because mamey are so lovely and soft I would use them as a substutute for any recipe that calls for cooked pumpkin or sweet potato. Quite a time saver.

My darling esposo enjoys mamey as custard/ flan, and in baked goods; so here is a SUPER SIMPLE Dairy Free Flan/Custard recipe.

Mamey Custard / Flan
½ Cup Sugar (for the caramel liquid) **
1 Cup Mamey flesh
1 ½ Cup soy milk
½ Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract (optional)
3 Large Whole Eggs
2 Large Egg whites
1 Tablespoon Honey or Pure Maple Syrup


** To prepare the Flan mold: In a small pot add enough water to the sugar to make a wet sandy consistency. Place on stove top on high heat until caramelized to a light golden color. Carefully drop a few drops of water into the pot to stop the cooking. Immediately pour the caramel into the ramekins to cover the bottom. ** this part is really optional, you don't need the caramel liquid as the custard/flan is really sweet enough.**

To prepare the custard: Combine the mamey, soy milk, vanilla and bring to a boil. Separately whisk together the eggs (3 whole and 2 whites only) and honey/syrup. Spoon a few tablespoons of the hot mamey mixture mixing into the eggs to temper them. Whisk the remaining mamey into the tempered eggs.

To bake the flan: Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour the mamey custard into the ramekins. Place the ramekins into an ovenproof casserole dish. Add hot water to the dish until the water level is half way up the ramekins. Place in a very low temp oven, about 150ºc for about 1 hour, or until flan sets. Remove from pan and let cool. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until well chilled.

To serve: Run the tip of a paring knife blade around the inside edge of the ramekin. Invert the ramekin over the serving dish. The flan will slip out of the mold and caramel liquid will flow on the plate.

After I took this photo I cut the mamey open to show the beautiful orangey color. Unfortunately It was rotten on the inside! So sorry, but no beautiful cut fruit photo, however if I get a good one I'll come in and add it

The mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) grows well and is widely appreciated in the Central American, Latin American, Caribbean areas. The shape is a bit like a US style football, with a soft brown coloring, and a fuzziness reminiscient of a kiwi, but just a bit tougher. To check for ripeness the fruit should give gently under a gentle squeeze, or nick the skin with a fingernail and you should see a deep rich orangey color. The large central seed is toxic, so dispose of it properly.

fun fotos

I was just recently reading friend Lida's blog about being tagged; the objective of the tag was to open your 'My Pictures' file, open the 7th folder and post the 7th picture.

I wasn't tagged but followed the procedure - just out of curiosity.

Here's #7 foto in the 7th folder

This foto was taken in January 2009, at friend Elizabeth's country get-away. The occasion was Elizabeth's birthday. We passed a lovely afternoon eating, drinking, and visiting with friends, old and new.
As a result of this I spent a bit of time going through fotos folders reviewing and remembering events. I may now pull out a few cd's and dvd's where foto folders are no longer stored on the computer and review a little Tom and Debi history. What a fun way to pass the heat of the day!