Singaporean Pepper Crab fry-girl.
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Mexico City, Saturday night, we went down to the concierge to ask for restaurant suggestions. The well turned out señor suggested two places within walking distance of our hotel, Hilton Reforma, as it was already closing in on eight o’clock.
Out and to the right we walk, expecting a breath of fresh night air, there is none, its stale. A few crowded blocks later we came to the first suggestion(to all tourists) the Torres Latino Americano Restaurant which offered ‘international’ fare. We were super surprised and kinda horrified at the condition of the building(tallest in Mexico City in 1959?), rundown and through the windows it seemed that all one could see was stuff strewn up against the grubby windows floor after floor. Next…
Next was the task of finding Café Tucuba, local fare and authentic Mexican said Mr concierge. That was really the the one we were aiming for anyhow.
At Tucuba street now and the sight of a crowd and the lure of drumming took us to the gorgeous Museo de Artes where I’d say about 50 dancers were in a dance that seem to be about saluting the four directions, the elements and freedom(of sorts).
A few more blocks and we see Café Tacuba! From the outside it looked like a small bakery, oh the hesitant momentary disappointment, but, when we went thought the doors, delight and sheer awe of the décor and architecture, Mexican/Spanish to the core, what a hidden gem, I love it! Omg, i think this is going to be good.
Our lovely server Margarita in her nursemaid outfit with her perfectly hairsprayed bleached blond hair with giant bow all of 50 years was a pro you could tell. $2.80 Modelos and we are ready to check out the menu. What to have? Appies, special of the house, ensaladas, sopas…we chose: 4 little things(tamale verde, chicken taquito, enchilada?…), Puerco Oaxaca (con guac, frijoles y tortillas), cheesay chiles rellenos in a rojo sauce, and the boys had crazy garlic soup with poached egg in the middle with cheesy toast.
There was a gang of talented mariachis to top off the vibe.
Ok so we had such a lovely experience we went back the next night and I had Tinga(pictured above), it was a delicious pork and stringy cheese delight!
Everyone is thinking about Haiti and its desperate circumstances, its horrible and unfathomable and yet there is sometimes a quiet shell-shocked feeling in the people I see in the news, now getting frantic without the basics for life. Sometimes in our darkest hours, courage is all we have.
I’ve been thinking of making up an emergency kit again, again, again, always thinking but not doing and living in seismically prone British Columbia, and Vancouver, having experienced a few mild but freaky earthquakes at home and abroad, well, its a good idea to be armed with some skills or supplies.
Here is a Canadian site where you can get ideas for 1.Know the Risks, 2.Make a Plan, 3.Get a Kit.
Another good idea for being prepared in an emergency is to take your first aid course(Red Cross) in marine, wilderness, workplace, or a refresher. I found these courses offered by the VPD(Fire Dept.).
The pic below of the planets plate tectonics is interesting; where do you live, near a fault line?
As you can see, monkey is all pooped from monkey business today, one of the ongoing days in our glorious record breaking heatwave in Vancouver. Monkey couldn’t work in her 35º oven that is the top floor office. Monkey wasn’t eating, or trippin, just sippin – lots! Monkey was thinking this is not Mexico and she is not on vacation, just wrong! So monkey went to play. She had an awesome day at the plastic front lawn beach, giggling with some 3 year olds playing hose-the-monkey-in-the-middle. Wook wook!
There are two macaque monkeys(family pets) working in a resto in Japan. I suppose that the little doods are wearing little diapers. I would love to have a little monkey fetch me beers and hot towels. But what if Yatchan monkey was not happy with edamame tips or if Fukuchan monkey gets his tail stepped on by passing waitress? Would there be directions to the hospital to get your tetanus shot on the back of the menu (Simpson’s fugu episode)?
Working Monkey (video courtesy of BBC)
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