Grand Quinceanera last night for Yuleidi in VO

Just after we came in

Some kind of dance production

Yule and the guys

We were thinking of not going but all the kids wanted to. Went with a car full and only three of us left at 11:30. The live band had just played one song and I couldn't take any more. The noise level had been high all evening and these guys were louder.That dance floor was full of crazy kids most of the night but they were having a good time and fun to watch.

Beer or Piña coladas and lots of food. An almost slide show on the screen with lots of fotos of Yule. The guys parade around with the girl for about 20 minutes and then dad comes out and dances with her. This was held in the huge Villa Obregon Ejido center across from the plaza.

Memories of Japan

I ran into an article about excess housing in Japan due to a shrinking population. The article focused on Yokosuka where they are almost giving away houses that have been abandoned. Yokosuka was our Home and R&R port in Japan with a large Naval base. Yokosuka back in the early 1960's reminded me of Patzcuaro with curving, narrow streets of cobblestone and that very Japanese wood construction style with tiles roofs. We would go into town late in the day, drink too many beers and on the way back stop off at a Kobe Beef steak house or a smaller place for a huge plate of fried rice with two fried eggs over the top.

R&R means Rest and Recreation which means we can take leave and get off the ship for up to a week so here is the mystery. I have no idea how we found this ski resort in the mountains or how we figured out how to get there. Possibly there was a travel agent on the base that helped us with everything. I wanted to ski but nobody else knew how but a good friend wanted to get away. We hopped a train to Tokyo to stay one night before catching another train into the mountains the next morning. We were in civilian clothes but were obvious military and were not exactly welcome at the first big hotel. Time to stop at a bar and he had a couple rooms upstairs. Even Tokyo didn't seem huge back then.

Off to the train station in the morning and we're on our way. We would stop at every little town along the way and you could open your window and buy tangerines or a TV type dinner in a bamboo box from the vendors on the platform. At the base of the mountains they attached another engine and they both bellowed black smoke to the top where we got off.

Only one engine here but similar

The Akakura Kanko Hotel is is the most famous of all Myoko Kogen hotels and is regarded as a Japan ski industry icon. The hotel was built in 1937 and still retains its sense of history. This classic European style hotel, the first of it’s kind in Japan, is perched 1000 metres high on the slopes of Shin-Akakura (Akakan) ski area where one can ski in and ski out. Next door to Akakura Kanko Ski Resort, Akakura Kanko Hotel boasts a golf course, a tennis court and a spa centre. It features a top-floor terrace with panoramic views, 3 restaurants and hot spring baths. 

Did we have reservations, I have no idea? They sent a small bus down to the train station and before long we were checked in. It really was a European style hotel with high ceilings, lots of woodwork, huge lobby and dining room and a nice billiard room we found the first night. Don't remember if meals were included but they sat us at a long table with much English China and about 10 English speaking Europeans. We weren't that interesting to them as we were military and only about 19 years old. Maybe a choice of food but probably ate what we were served.

It was like everyone went to bed not long after dinner and when that happens they stop selling liquor. We continued playing billiards until one of the guys that worked in the kitchen came out, offered us some more beer and some billiard lessons. The 3 of us were the only sign of life until around 11 PM.

The next morning it was off to the equipment rental shop and size was an issue. I ended up with tight fitting boots and short ski's were not in fashion back then. I was used to longer ski's. Combine with snowing all day and over a foot of powder ..... I cut the day short

Pozole Pool Party

Neighbors came over yesterday for a pozole, beer and pool party. This is the first time they brought grandma Maria over and she seemed to be happy watching all the activity. Maria is 87 and has circulation problems in her legs somehow causing open sores that need constant medication and attention. She walks but not well or far.

The kids had their usual fun in the pool and of course the pool was filthy in the morning. Nahima with her almost manic activities, watering the lawn and the plants with pool water. Kids in and out but at least are taking showers before entering. Stopped by the local pool place today to see what they had for pool cleaning but nothing really. The kid that works there suggested a larger diameter hose, create a suction and use it like a vacuum. Took over an hour today but my 3/4" hose worked well and the pool looks like new.

Way too much pozole so the dogs got some and the chickens got the corn. I made pizza for the kids and saved a piece for grandma which she enjoyed. Another good time relaxing on the weekend with friends.

Most of the adults with Maria in the wheelchair

Kids in the pool

Yari, pretty as ever

Nahima watering the plants

Nahima with pozole

Costalegre Rotary Chili Cookoff 2013

Wasn't sure I was going to go as I'd been a few times in the past but some new people were in town so decided to go with them. Glad I did as I met a few people for the first time and ran into a few I've not seen in awhile. It was pretty much stay out of the sun, drink beer, taste a chili or two, listen to the four musical groups and mucho Blah, Blah, Blah. It was fun.

I wasn't impressed much with the chili but with 30 entries how do you taste very many. Turns out I missed the winners so there might have been some decent bowls there. I was disappointed to see a woman parading around all day with "Vote for #19" which turned out to be Crazy Cactus ... and they won the amateur title. Oh well. Had dinner around the corner and I was home by dark.

Our group with only Tecate - no Estrella

Some of the chili booths

Normally useless Dryhouse being usefull

Grupo Exito with Raul and Hector

Melaque Summer Vacation

This summer vacation is turning out to be one of the best here in Melaque. The tourists have been coming in numbers that rival Semana Santa (Easter Week) which is usually the biggest beach vacation time. All the beach restaurants were full even with extra tables out. Cars were double parked and we ended up 2 blocks away which never happens here. Since we brought our own food we just rented a table not in front of a restaurant which normally goes for 50-60 pesos. This weekend he wanted 130 pesos. We called a local Deposito (beer vendor) who delivers on a scooter and he brought 2 cases of iced Estrella. Lots of people having fun, cooling off and great for the local economy.

Looking toward central Melaque

Looking toward the malecon

Waves were large most of the day

Michelada with my first lime

I can't think of a better way to use my first lime than in a michelada.  This particular lime has been sitting on the 'slow' tree for a few months but finally gained enough weight I couldn't resist ... even tho I have a few from my neighbors. The smell and flavor of a newly picked lime is to die for.   My faster tree has probably 100 limes of various sizes.

I prefer a simpler red variety with only a slightly tangy tomato juice like Clamato and lime.  You can make it darker and more flavorful with Maggi, Worcestershire sauce or Chamoy powder.  Some like cilantro, cucumber strips or even a shrimp.  I leave the salted rim routine for when I order in a restaurant.

The worst michelada I've ever had was in Tepozlan, Morelos at the weekend tianguis.  She had a michelada powder mix and just stirred it in but the beer was cold.

Perfect Sunday on the beach

Bought shrimp in the morning to make ceviche and the other group must have done the same. We ended up with two large pots of shrimp, one finely chopped and the other larger pieces mixed with pulpo. Both different veggies.

Had to talk Hugo into no futbol in the afternoon so the kids could go to the beach for a change. Here in Mexico you can bring all your own food to beach restaurants, use their tables and umbrellas but you have to buy their beer. We bought about three buckets.

Water was perfect and the kids were well behaved. Lots of birds, people fishing from the beach (even catching a few) .... and lots of people cooling off in this heat. Birthday girl Yari got her hair braided (trencitas). Perfect Sunday.   Little video below

Melaque Playa

Yari checking out her trencitas

Boca de Iguanas beach

Boca de Iguanas beach access was cut off for a few months after hurricane Jova. The beach trail was washed out and the trailer park wasn't letting people pass thru their property. I was up in La Manzanilla the other day and decided to see what was going on at Boca beach.

They brought in a lot of new fill to create a road/trail ... even tho motor vehicles are prohibited. Easy to walk out and wide enough you don't have to worry about the resident Cocodrilo, Pancho. The beach concession is back with tables, chairs, food and beer.

New beach access

Beach concession

Local Mexico trivia

The first is I went to my local store one block away wanting some cerveza, Coke and some salad fixings. Our store will sell celery by the stock, cabbage by the 1/4 head and my special today was half a cauliflower. All looked in perfect shape and fresh but cooking for myself I don't often need a full head of anything. At the current exchange rate the 54 pesos equaled about $4.25 US

I forgot to add two nice bell peppers to the foto

My next and ongoing adventure was with Telcel. I've been there (Manzanillo) 3 times since the first of the year. First trip was to figure out my phone number because it was changed from my cheap Nokia to my Iphone. This is my first cel phone and I thought two phones could have the same number .... Wrong, each SIM chip has it's own number.

Second trip was my cel phone stopped accessing the Internet, they said I have the wrong SIM chips even tho they both worked for 3-4 weeks. I didn't bring my modem SIM chip.

This time I brought both my phone and modem and the slightly more technical GUYS I talked to figured out I needed to switch SIMs. I had never installed them but the reverse of the chips worked.

I don't know if my configuration of both USB modem for a computer and a Smart Phone on the same contract is unusual ... but getting me straight wasn't easy.

The last of the phone issues was that my 2 month old Nokia had died. They said corrosion and sand inside nullified my one year warranty. Gheesh ... I guess I need to carry it in a Ziploc bag?

Next week is to pick up my Visa in Manzanillo.  I finally got fotos made at Farmacia Guadalajara but my side fotos show the LOGO of some camera company when they should have a white background.   Ok ... the girls at Farmacia Guadalajara are not pros ... but I will have new side fotos taken

Posada after work

Carne asada, friends and music. We quit work around 2 yesterday and started up the bar-b-que. Hugo brought over a bottle of Tequila, I bought some beer and people started to arrive. Didn't party late as many wanted to spend the evening with family

Making a large throw net

Back in Melaque a little more than two weeks and just finished a full two weeks work on the house. Stefan, my neighbor across the street is a fisherman and has been working everyday on this throw net. It's a large one that can only be thrown from a boat and it takes him a month to finish. He's close to finish with this one. He made a small one for my Canadian neighbor but I was under the impression only Mexicans can use throw nets which are considered commercial ??

Stefan also plays guitar and sings and he was over last night serenading us while while the work crew, I and a few more neighbors finished off 3 cubetas of Coronitas (small beers - 24 per bucket). The buckets of beer is a sometimes thing at the end of a week or job.

Malagua (jellyfish) and the Barra lagoon

This Sunday we headed for the west end of Melaque beach and immediatly were told by people and even the restaurant the water was full of Malagua (mal agua or jellyfish). This term refers to any sized jellyfish but here they are small and you seldom see them, you just feel the stings. The kids were only in a few minutes and all had multiple small red sting marks.

Marcos showed up about the time we decided to go to the lagoon in Barra de Navidad. Evidently these little drifting creatures end up along the beach due to wind and wave action and don't make it into protected areas like the lagoon.

So we had to rent a table and pay for parking near the Barra swimming beach ... but it's great for the kids and even Mia (3 years) could flop around in the shallows. Bring your own beer and food ... and mangos on a stick are only 5 pesos.

Barra de Navidad lagoon swimming beach

The history of Beer in Mexico

by Groupo Modelo

The Spanish Conquest

The first brewery in the Americas was founded two decades after the fall of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán.

On 16 July 1542, the Emperor Carlos V granted Alonso de Herrera a permit for his brewery on the condition that he gave a third of the profits to the Crown and and undertook to transport the vats and other equipment from Europe.

Two years later, on 15 May 1544, Alonso de Herrera was able to report to Carlos V that the business was a great success. This was confirmed on 5 September 1550 when royal officials were ordered to collect the value of a third of the beer brewed in the city for the Crown.

After this auspicious beginning, however, little is known of the history of beer in New Spain. It is possible that the authorities cracked down on its consumption, and in any case it had to compete with a great variety of traditional Pre-Hispanic fermented drinks.

Among the most popular during the viceregal period were such indigenous brews as chicha, zambumbia, and tesgüino.

The Colonial Period

It is hard to estimate the number of small breweries established in Mexico during this period. However, Von Humboldt's figure of 71,806 bottles of beer imported through the port of Veracruz in 1802 suggests that consumption was not inconsiderable.

Grupo Modelo web site