Sunday Flea Market In Cancun-Hammocks, Churros, and Gardenias!

Last November, we traveled to Cancun with Tiff Worley from Abbey del Sol. He loves to take groups of tourists and locals up to some of his favorite spots. And boy, did we find some great places that we have since revisited this past February. Thanks, Tiff!
The Sunday Flea Market in Cancun is not in existence for the tourists--in fact, at one point I looked around and realized we were the only gringos in sight! Sigh, love that :)
This fabuloso market has ANYTHING you are searching for! Sellers can be local, or from miles away--fresh produce, fresh churros, seafood, clothing, plants, electronics, used housewares, new furniture...let your imagination take you away!
Check my pictures for just some of the things we saw...and I didn't even get a picture of the aquas frescas...you order the flavor you want--tamarindo, jamaica, horchata, sandia...and the vendor ladles the colorfu, yummy liquid into a plastic bag, puts in a straw, and twists it closed with a zip tie.  Pure heaven, and the BEST idea ever! Sorry I didnt get a picture, I was too busy slurping away...

 And, even puppies!!!!

Matt found some scrumptious fresh shrimp, and his FAVORITE purchase...

A new hammock!!

And MY favorite purchase, a beautiful gardenia plant for 35 pesos :)

But my search for a rectangular plastic tub continues...stay tuned for the rest of our adventure...
P.S. the flea market is every Sunday on the Ave. Lopez Portillo...arrive EARLY (8 am?) to get parking, and enjoy cooler temps :)

School Children

I believe that Mayan children are among the most precious in the world! Their sweet smiles simply light up a room! I had a wonderful experience two years ago, being able to bring school supplies from my second graders down to some first graders in the Colonia. I will post pics in a later post. The pictures I have for you now are from a class that received letters back from us, and they graciously sent some on to us!

Grettel translating our letters from Puerto

I will post some pictures of the sweet letters later, but for now, feast your eyes on these wonderful kids, it will make your day!

First graders in Puerto getting our letters!

I have decided that I want to do a photo collection of the children in Puerto--a photo essay that will warm your heart!  (Have to check into privacy issues first...) In the meantime, here is a picture of Jose's adorable girls...

Wow!

Thank you so much!!

Fruit Market in the Colonia

Matt loves his limonada!

Aguas Frecas for lunch?

And no one has to go to Cancun to get a great pinata!
Check out those hanging in the back!!

 salsa, anyone?

In case you are wondering, they have the BEST watermelons! We just put all fruit and veggies in the veggie soak for at least 30 minutes--THAT'S why I need the rectangular plastic tub for the kitchen sink!

Please read this very informative link from Cooking In Mexico blog...
http://cookinginmexico.com/2010/05/24/how-to-clean-and-disinfect-fruits-and-vegetables-in-mexico/

Goodbye to the orange door :)

Wish you could have seen it before...can't find a pic cause it was so ugly we didn't want to show anyone! Thanks, Sergio. We will be so happy to install this next trip!

Heidi Klum in Puerto?

My friend Daphne shared this video--apparently Heidi Klum was in Puerto filming a commercial for the release of her new perfume! Sometimes I get a bit worried that the whole world will discover our little paradise, and that it will be forever changed...



http://www.5min.com/Video/Heidi-Klum-Films-Her-SHINE-Commercial-517177796

but the beach shots are nice...

El Tio of Puerto

Any questions as to why this is the best lunch spot EVER?!!

Tio's is a favorite dive of the locals in Puerto---and I am hooked on their pork tacos with red pickled onions! YUMMMMMY!
I know I have a picture of the outside of the restaurant--I will find it somewhere!!

here is a snapshot, courtesy of the Little Mexican School website...

Boquinete

Known as the hogfish in the U.S., this exquisite fish is caught, oh no, not by using a pole or a net, but only by spearing it!  Divers must go down, find it, spear it, and bring it back up to the waiting diners.  This is Matt's favorite fish by far...it always puts a smile on his face to devour the entire fish...and he goes on the endless quest to find the perfect pescado al mojo de ajo (fish in a garlic white sauce).  I found a great resource for seafood in the Yucatan from Yucatan Today--thanks to them for this!
                                                     http://yucatantoday.com/en/topics/seafood

And here is Matt with his favorite dish--check out the look on his face!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogfish

Another good link...

http://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Mexico-tourism-to-launch-online-atlas/?a=mexico&cid=eltrmex

Great Opportunity!

I wish that I was in Puerto right now to attend this tax workshop sponsored by Mayan Riviera Properties! If anyone attends, please fill me in :)

http://www.puertomorelosblog.com/p/us-tax-workshop-april-24th-2012.html

Aguas Frescas update

My own fresh pineapple ginger fresca

I have made my own horchata and fresh pineapple/ginger agua frescas! Wahoooooo! Here are the pictures to prove it in case you are a teensy bit skeptical...not that I blame you--who has time to make their own, anyway! :)

Unfortunately that may mean that I abandon my previous food addiction--the grocery store packaged juices...YUM!!