La Terraza de Mami and Ceviches d'Angel

Eating tasty food is important to me, for sure.  But for Toby, it's a sport! And we are on our way to a gold medal!                                     

When I'm alone in Cozumel, I mostly eat at home.  For a few reasons.  Including. It's kinda expensive to eat in touristy places, and I'm not motivated or brave enough to eat alone in most local places.  But once Toby joins me, the food adventure begins! 

So far this year, we've discovered 2 new favourite places.  La Terraza de Mami.  A mom and pop place that opens at 7:30 pm. Or at 7:45 or at 8:15... And closes at 4 am!  One of the items on their  menu, that isn't on most menus are sopes. I've never had a sope before La Terraza de Mami.  Now I'm a fan!!  What's a sope?  A big corn tortilla with upturned edges like a small pie crust, grilled to a delicious crisp, and filled with delicious stuff like beans, cheese, meats, and avocado.  Super yum!  

Our n find is Ceviches d'Angel.  A take out place a few streets further into the hood.  They make the ceviche in what looks like their home.  And serve it from the front doorway.  It's well priced and yummy! Thanks Pat! For telling us about it! 

Pictures

1 & 3) The kitchen and hand washing station at La Terazza de Mami.

2) Sopes!!!

4) Ceviches d'Angel had 2 of these delivery bikes when we were there today!

5) The lineup today at Ceviches d'Angel!

6 & 7) The menu and our take out ceviche.  A small bucket of shrimp and conch ceviche for 240 pesos, aout $15 CDN. 

Imbolc and A Cute Green Parade

I was tickled pink.  By a green parade.  On February 2.

I was walking along the waterfront, slowly making my way home.  When along came a small parade of kids and adults.  All dressed in various shades of green, some walking, some on bicycles decorated with leaves, flowers and balloons. Then, a little boy from the parade offered me and Toby a potted plant.  We were confused.  I asked: un regalo? a gift for us?  Yes.  Mom was watching proudly. Then a little girl offered us a cute little potted cactus.  Also a gift.  What was going on??

A kind waiter, Raul at Jeanie's, saw all this happen.  He told us the parade consisted of students, teachers, and parents from El Collegio Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus College), a local private school in Cozumel.  It was an initiative to green the island.  The kids were giving plants to lotsa people along their parade route. Delightful!!

Then I learned more. 

This happened on February 2. A day full of different meanings. For Catholics, it's called Candlemas, the day Mary presented Jesus at the Temple, 40 days after his birth, when she was pure & clean again. OK....  For Pagans, February 2 was called Imbolc, which means "in the belly", referring to the pregnant ewes who would soon birth their lambs.  It was the feast of Brigid, Goddess of Fire, Creativity, and Fertility.  Including fertility of the land.  The Church of Rome turned her into Saint Bridget, to control her image.  Hmmm...

February 2 is also midway between the winter and summer solstices. Groundhog day for many of us.  The day to hope for an early and prosperous spring.  Happy Imbolc to all!!

Pictures

1) Some of the kids in the parade.  Very sweet!

2) Popcorn plants!!!

3) How may ways can a cat ignore you???

4) Some of the beautiful green plants on the second patio level at my Cozumel house.  I barely used this space last year.  I've been enjoying it much more this year!

5) Toby showing off the new basket on his bicycle.  And his jungle man look!

6) A lady feeding the pigeons in the main square.  Fun!! 

7) A leaf cutter ant. I stay clear of them!

5)

     

An Elegante Hair Cut

Getting your hair cut anytime, anywhere can be an adventure.  Getting it cut in Cozumel, adds an extra layer of adventure.  I kinda like it.

Most years, I arrived in Cozumel with longish hair that's easy to tie up. Practical in this climate.  Then went to Dona Lety to get it cut before coming home.  She was super pleasant, gave me a good enough cut (hair grows back!), and charged about $4.  Wonderful!!!

But her shop is gone now.  I truly hope she's happily retired & enjoying some well earned time off.

So time for a change.  A few changes!  Get my hair cut at the beginning of my trip. Shorter hair! At least in back.  Off my neck. No elastics required!  And a new shop.  There are many.  But which??  

So.....on my way home from LaMonina, with a mojito still affecting my capacities.... I stopped at "Elegante", a fancy hair dresser on the Malecon (main water front street).  I'm mostly happy with the results.  The cut is fun.  But I definitely have less hair than expected.  And without some clips holding the front parts back, I have some pretty big clown puffs at the front....

Pictures

1 - 3) How could I resist such elegance!  

4) My lunch at Billy's Asadero.  I need to come here at least once each year.  They moved since last year, just down the street a little.  Good call. The new location is bigger and prettier. Still a good deal. 1kg of perfectly BBQed boneless porc chops for about $21.

5-6) Such a nice sight!  A man selling plants from his tricycle.  I love how so many people offer so many services and products this way!

 

A Big Winter Rain!

I'll never forget, years ago, when I was scuba diving here in Cozumel, the dive master said..."I don't know why you guys come here in winter to dive...it's so cold".  Hmmmm....

It is easy to forget that Mexico is part of North America, and that it's winter here also, in January.  And to locals, it's kinda cold.  Including the ocean.  Apparently, it warms up quite a bit in the summer.  For diving that would be nice.  It's easy to get cold deep down when you're not moving much.

But I like the Nortes (winds from the north) that come here in January.  I even like the big rain they can bring.  Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful for being able to wear a skirt, tank top, and sandals throughout my second summer.  But I do very much like a great big rainy day! And the cooler nights that come with the Nortes!

Pictures

1) The rain drops were so big at times, they look like snow flakes in this picture!

2-4) Some parts of the streets accumulate lots of water! There is a storm water sewer system, but you can see in picture 3, where the water is bubbling UP, they can get overwhelmed.  And like at home, sometimes leaves and other debris block them

5) I really biking down towards the water on Calle 3.  It just has a nice feel to it. The best part is always seeing the ocean as I get close to that part of the road.  It was especially striking on this cloudy rainy day!

6) This sculpture, which represents the coral reefs and aquatic life, also looked so much more dramatic with the cloudy sky.

 

Junk Bugs

"Junk Bugs are cute, but the load they carry are gruesome."  That was the title of the article I found when I googled "Bugs that look like little piles of dirt".

A few times now, I've found on various surfaces, a little pyramid shaped pile of dirt. About the size of a pencil eraser.  These little things just seemed kinda out of place.  Surprisingly well attached.  And, were they moving?  Ever so slightly?  Turns out, probably yes.

When I arrived, I found one on the top tip of a chair back.  I looked at it fairly closely.  But I had lots to do, so didn't think too much about it. But when I found one on my Sudoku book.  That was really weird, and prompted me to ask Google.

The article says that, at the base of the pile is a Junk Bug, the larval stage of what will become "a green lacewing, a delicate and lovely flying insect".  Google says the Junk Bug is a voracious predator, common around the world.  They feed by stabbing their hollow horn-like mouth parts into other insects, and sucking out their innards.  Then they pile the dead bug carcasses onto their back, to create a portable camouflage that protects them from other predators.  Very clever!!!

Pictures

1) The Junk Bug on my Sudoku book.  Apparently, you can see eyes and legs at the bottom of the pile. I'll have to look more closely next time

2) A green lacewing, courtesy of google

3) A ridiculously cute tricycle!  I saw it, the little kid and dad in a local park.  I asked dad for permission to take a picture, when the kid was close to the bike.  dad said yes.  The kid walked away.

4) A piece of sargasso sea weed on the ground near a sculpture.  I love the texture of both.

5&6) While visiting friends, in their super nice house!  On the second floor of a building. This cat came in for a visit. He was actually one of 4 that come a go.  Fun! 

7) A tree dropping its beautiful flowers! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The Critters Say Welcome Back

I'm back in Cozumel! How many years & times now?  7 as it turns out.  As usual, friends here gave me a warm welcome.  But this time, I think some of the critters went out of the way to say hello.

I'm staying at the same apartment, deep in the hood as last year.  With the beautiful terrace and pool.  

On my second day back, while doing yoga by the pool, I heard a soft fast drumming behind me, very close to my right ear.  I'm so glad I didn't move!  It was a hummingbird!  Did it think my ear was a flower???  I'll never know for sure.  But it was delightful!

The next day while swimming in the ocean, near a favourite restaurant, La Monina, I saw an eagle ray!!!  I've seen them be fore while swimming.  But rarely, and never in that area.  Pat, and the other Canuck / Cozumel folk on the beach, said the ray was welcoming me back to the island.  What a nice thought!

Pictures

1-2) My view towards my terrace from the pool deck. And a view from the terrace.  I think there's a parrot!!!  in the tree that looks dead.  

3) Google lent me this picture of an eagle ray.  I wish my view of it was as good as this one. Such amazing creatures!!

 4, 5, 7) La Monina.  A great little water front place.  Pretty. Sun or shade. Chill. Not pushy. 

6 &8 Pelicans often fish in the little pool of water, and off the dock at LaMonina. I love how they don't seem to care about the humans around

Canoe Trips with the Canoe Gang!

....Are my first summers!!!  I think it's time to mention them a little.

In each of the last 3 summers at home, I've had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group of people for canoe trips: to Lady Evelyn lake in Temagamie, the French River in Georgian Bay, and what lake??? In Algonquin Park.  

How did this come about?  My longtime friend Vadim! We've been talking about paddling together for a long time.  When someone had to bow out of a trip close to last minute, he asked if I was able & willing to join. I love retirement!  Yep!!! I was available!  

Each trip had highs and lows, of course.  Some notable highs....so much skinny dipping!  That memorable moment with Nicki's thigh.  Fresh sushi and cinnamon buns. Animal poo with other smaller animal bits in it. Hundreds of tiny frogs on a portage path!  The incredible scenery!  Especially on the French River trip. 

And of course, making new friends!!  I am so grateful to have been welcomed into their lively, kind, fun circle.    

This last summer, I also went on my first canoe camping trip with Toby, with Miss Mango, the canoe I now share with me friend Melissa.  The waves on Crotch Lake were a bit scary on our way to our campsite.  But the view from from there made every tense minute so worthwhile!  I'm still very glad we left our camp though. Mostly set up, to paddle then drive home and stay warm and dry on that chilly very rainy day! It was fun to get back to our site the next day, all set up, like our very own mini cottage! 

I desire to remember too...I've had lotsa time floating on my beloved Ottawa River. Fixing furniture. And plenty of smaller delightful moments too.

Pictures..

1- The canoe gang, and our flotilla of gear!

2 &3 - The view from our Crotch Lake campsite.  Beautiful!

4- I love the irony of this picture!  The Travelodge included a buffet breakfast.  Nice.  But there was a Goldwing Convention in town, so the seating inside was full.  We ate our breakfast perched on rocks outside.  Practice for days to come!

5&7 The cinnamon buns and sushi.  The sushi was perfect!  The cinnamon buns were super yummy too, just a little singed.

11- I love setting up my tent close to the water.  But Susanna and Vadim sometimes take it to an extreme level!  

12- This was how Christine greeted us on one of the trips, as we gathered at her place for our group departure.  I love this picture!!!

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