viernes, 4 de febrero de 2011

Buenos noches amigos.

We are fresh back from a walk around town and as it is 930pm here in La Crucecita, tiempo for the blog update.

I sense you all like the new format of photos first?

Ok, here we go.

This is a new sign that has been painted at our front gate.

The reno work on the restaurante has become a family affair.

As a matter of fact, they were still working on the sight 5 minutes ago.

Three or four times a week we see these big trucks pull up on Carrizal.

They are the trucks full of fresh fruits and veggies. Amazing to see the empty shelves anoche (last night) and then see them full today, along with throngs of peeps buying their goods for the weekend and/or day.

Just some nice flowers.

And from the series….

A whole lot of sandia!!

This group of ladies set up their goods every day on this corner.

It is a good corner because it is by the taxi stand so lots of peeps walk by and pick up their goods. It is an interesting phenomenon having all these little food stands. People, who live in town, only have to go one or two blocks and they will have everything they need to eat…no need for a large grocery store.

We have a market (abarrotes) 2 minutes away and scored on hamburger buns, dish soap and mil isle dressing. But within that 2 minute walk, we also have fresh fish, meat (refrig and no refrig…yikes), a bakery and of course veggies and fruits.

A close up of some of the fresh items the peeps at the corner are selling.

Another one from the series…

Fresh mango, papaya, pina y naranja!!

Where people meet and/or shop, you will find a stand selling hot food.

This place is very clean and always buys.

Must be a festival or holiday coming.

Or maybe the tamarindos are behind on a quota. These tow trucks are waiting for a load of unlicensed scooters.

The sofá hombres are gone from the road through the park. They have been replaced, but on the sidewalk, by these guys.

Una foto de una abuela y su nieta.

Repeat photo….this show started ayer and goes until mañana.

And where people meet, you will find a stand(s) selling hot food and refrescos.

The Familia de Dios gets hungry too!!

While I was at the gimnasio, Logan and padre popped in. No escolar today…but Logan was all slicked up, so I took his photo. He seems to have adopted the peace sign as his personal hola y adios.

Did I hear someone rustling around my M&M stash?

As for the rest of our day…

No clase de español, so it was desayunos, the gimnasio and then alberca time.

Not much happening at the gimnasio. The whole day feels like it is a sabado o domingo…not a viernes.

No Rosa at the gym…but mi amigo Memo was there. Good kid and he watches the gym sometimes when Rosa is away. We both noticed that I am using more español when we talk…and even a few properly conjugated verbos!!

And whom else did I see at the gym? Francisco numero uno!! I have not seen this timid hombre for a few meses. I made sure I said hola and then as he was heading out the door despues his workout, I gave him a “hasta luego” shout out. With a big smile he waved goodbye. Nice guy...timid and not 100% there. But who is? Ja ja ja

Pool was quiet and we had a nice time…duh.

Despues the alberca time, I went to Che and loaded up for the weekend. I saw a Rastafarian shoplift some cerveza, but I did not know how to approach it here. I probably should have just said something to an employee...wasn’t sure of the ramifications on me if the rasto denied it. Argh.

Before our swim, we did our fresh fruit y veggie run, so after I got back from Che, we chowed down on some great ensaladas made by Chef Bexico.

Bexico then continued on her work and I made la cena…chorizo y pollo pasta sauce on penne noodles…so good.

As mentioned at the beginning, we just returned from our “walk off the pasta” walk. It does so happen that we stopped at Los Portales restaurante for some plátano machos fritos por mi novia.

Courtesy of the Chicago Examiner…


Click below for a Mexican (not Cuban) plátano machos fritos recipe.


How to make yummy platanos machos fritos!!!

Remember…plátanos are bananas and plátanos machos are plantains.

It is nice to get out at night and walk the town and then stopping for a refresco and people watching!!

Stopped in and said hola to the boys. They have been busy and that makes their lives easier in the long run and it shows with less stress in their bodies.

Mañana? Mi gimnasio esta cerrado…might hit up the other gym, but then we are headed to Mojon!! La cena will be hamburguesa…looks like I have escaped the cerdo brain quesadillas for now!! Phew.

Domingo? Duh…Superbowl!!

Hasta luego!!