El Chivero

El Chivero

So what does one do for fun in Bucerias on a Wednesday afternoon?  Two words...El Chivero.

Situated right on the beach, one of the fabulous 12 restaurants that face the  Bay, El Chivero offers live music on Wed & Saturdays.  Get there well before 3pm, or the good tables, under the palapa, will be filled.  Can't you just hear the waves crashing?

Six sexy women!

 

The ladies are out to have fun and with live music and sand in their toes, who wouldn't?  I can always blame the shifting sand for my two left feet syndrome.  It's Mexico!  

Yo no vengo aqui a pintar.

"I didn't come here to paint."

 

I don't drink beer often, but when I do......who am I kidding, I drink beer often.  And my two favorites are muy frio y gratis.  (quote from my brother Pedro)  These cold beers were almost free....

A bucket of six beers will set you back 100 pesos. (about $7.00) Yep, you read that correctly. For that price you get a choice of Sol, Indio, Tecate, or Dos Equis.  Corona or Pacifico are a little higher.



 

My favorite:  Lady Beth



Couponing in Mexico

 

210 Laurel Granola Breakfast

 

So how does an extreme coupon-er survive in Mexico without coupons?  The secret is that you have to find other ways to save on your grocery budget.  Eating out in Mexico can be very affordable as I wrote a few days ago when I had  a granola breakfast at Horjarasco's.  It cost 30 pesos for a nice portion. (also had to add 19 pesos for the coffee)  So I decided to find  out how much it would cost me to duplicate that dish.  Off I went to MEGA purchasing bananas, strawberries, yogurt, and granola.  The grand total came to 81 pesos for 6 servings.....so about 13.5 pesos/serving. (less than a $1.00) Yes it's a lot more work than going out for breakfast, but if you need to pinch a few pesos, that's one way.

 

 

Two entrees at Wong Wong

 

Another way to stretch that peso is what I call the Tortilla Factor.  Take for example the Chinese carry out dish shown above.  Rice, noodles, and lots of orange chicken.  It cost only 55 pesos at the new place in Bucerias centro.  (that's less than $4.00)  I bought some tortillas, which are soooo cheap here in Mexico, and had a very filling meal of two tacos.  The tortillas stretched this meal into 3 meals and cost only $1.25/meal.  Hey, if you really want to stretch your budget, this works. 

 

Jamica

 

For those that know me, I drink a lot of milk (leche) and living in WI,  I am spoiled with the low cost of milk.  In Mexico, it costs 22 pesos for a litre of milk.  Or about $6.00/gallon....ouch.  Correction: 22 pesos for 2 liters is only $3/gallon.  My bad.  So I had to find a substitute.....the answer was Jamica. (pronounced ah-mike-ah)  It is sold in 10 peso bags all around town.  about 70 cents.  A bag will make at least 2 gallons.   So only 35 cents a gallon vs. $6.00.  No, you can't use in on your cereal or in your coffee.  The dried petals are from the Hibiscus plant and produces a very dark rich ruby colored drink.  A touch of honey or sugar greatly improves the flavor or this penny pincher. 

 

Ok, you read this far and all you got were some pics of my money saving ideas.  Not that exciting, so I will give you a nice photo for being patient......

 







 

Enjoy.

 

Juan Marcos

 

 

Daily Life

A bit of randomness in today's blog beginning with a chess game I'm playing with one of the Terralta taxi drivers....Juan.  For those that play, I'm white and it's black's turn. 

This is the new sculpture located at the end of the boulevard in Bucerias centro.  Yes, it's a diver which is what Bucerias means in Spanish.

 

Another gorgeous sunrise and the multitude of dog owners enjoying the cool morning.

 



Bistro by the Bay

 

Bistro by the Bay

 

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g657267-d7183143-Reviews-Bistro_by_the_Bay-Bucerias_Pacific_Coast.html#photos

 

 

Starters

 

This is a new restaurant in Bucerias owned by Susan & Gustavo, also owners of the Lady Bug.

 I had the pleasure of dining at the Bistro last with a friend of mine, Beth.  The food was outstanding and we were served the pear, brie, and shredded beet as a starter.  You had your choice of three entrees and we chose the garlic prawns for one and prime rib for the other.  Both excellent.  Dessert was also included and consisted of a warm decadent chocolate cake that melted in your mouth.  The entire 3 course meal was only $150 pesos/each.  Paired with a several nice Bohemian brews....and coffee....total was right at $30 USD for two persons.  But it gets better.....

 

Britany Kingery

 

Live music by Brittany Kingery....awesome voice.  The restaurant is small with only a dozen tables and reservations are a must for Friday nights when Brittany performs.  There is only one seating and the owner, Suzan, starts it off by describing her menu to all.  Fresh everything.  I highly recommend you check it out.  They are open Wed-Sunday.  Bon Appetite!

 

Juan Marcos

 



Sunset over Bucerias.

 

 

Hojarasca (Paninos III)

 

My spotlight restaurant is Hojarasca and for the life of me I don't know why the named it Hojarasca because in Spanish it translates....trash.  I shall investigate.  Those of you that know Bucerias might recognize the corner as the location of one of the Panino restaurants....indeed it is.  Mr. Panino (since I forget his name) owns three Paninos (Italian bakeries) and this one is now run by one of his sons, Daniel.   Great place for breakfast (deysauno) or lunch (comida or almuerzo)

 



The menu

 

With one exception, all the items are 50 ($3.45) or 55 pesos ($3.80)  Included potatoes and fruit.  The coffee Americano is 19 pesos, bottomless.  A nice bargain and cool place to hang out.   Since I had to vacate mi casa while the cleaning lady did her thing, I escaped here.  Wifi was a little weak, but I did connect, if that's important.  

 

yogurt con/frata fresco y miel de abeja

 

Can you believe it?  I actually ordered the yogurt and fresh fruit plate with granola y honey.  What in the world was I thinking?  How about 30 pesos?  About $2 USD.  If you're going to write about it, then you'd better eat it.  It was amazing.  Simple and filling with a bottomless cup of coffee....a great breakfast.  Of course dining alfresco....there really is no inside.  Bon Appetite!

 

As an extreme shopper, my only question will be if I can create something similar for less....a self imposed challenge.  The items are now on my MEGA shopping list.  Stay tuned.

 

Juan Marcos



Let's start with another awesome sunrise...salida del sol...and see what the day brings.  Buenos dias.

 

There's a new beer/cerveza in town.  Tropical by Modelo...light beer.  But the big news is the price.....39 pesos at MEGA.  $2.75 a six-pack.  Almost FREE my friend.  Not bad as a chaser on ice.  For those of you that only buy cases, it's about $11/case. 

 

 

116 Lazaro Cardenas

 

This might be the location of our next Rosenow reunion....Mexico 2016  I found the place a few days ago and have been talking to the owners about renting it in 2016.  It is on VRBO.....Bucerias.....#3651321....Casa de las Flores

 

Tomorrow's edition of The Travels of Juan Marcos will be titled:  The Break In. 

 

 

 

Let's talk books as it gets my mind off a horrible ending to what was a great game. These are the 3 I'm reading having just finished the Patterson book. (start with an easy read and work up, eh?)  My amigo, Ray, loaned me the Martin book and I started it on the flight to Mexico.  Slower read as you try to keep all the names straight.  But has good potential for being a great read.  And then comes "Unbroken".  The Louie Zamperini story.  In order to try and cheer up after the Green Bay loss, I resorted to reading about WWII POWs.  Now that's sad.  Next the movie.

 

 

 

Do two Wongs make a wight?  Bucerias's newest Chinese restaurant.  For those that know Bucerias, it's across the street from the church on the side street. Two doors down from the corner tienda. 

 

 

Yep, for 55 pesos, or about $4.00 for two entrees and rice and noodles.  Awesome price. Quality is good.  Not incredible, but for Bucerias, I like it. 

 

Yes, Saracha sauce.....sweet.  This meal has orange chicken, two spring rolls, rice and noodles.  $4.00

 

 

 

Guess who's coming to town?

 

Yes, it's time of year when Bucerias is invaded by The Carnival.  I believe the Spanish translation for Carnival is....extremely noisy....muy noisy.  It began yesterday, 1/16/15 and goes for 10 days.  Complete with the loud cannons at an ungodly 5am summoning you to 'worship'.  And at 5:30am and at 6am....It is an annual ritual that brings out the locals and all their regalia. (horses)  The streets are filled with vendors selling the same stuff, but throughout it all, especially for us repeat EX-pats, we find ourselves young again, or at least a little younger.  That small smile creeps upon us as we watch hopefuls throw darts at slightly underinflated balloons, craving a 50 peso trinket for one of their loved ones. Where else can you get a slice of pizza that's been sitting in the sun for 3 hours?   It's LOUD.

 

 

Esquina 22 

 

The new Shamrock.  The place has been spruced up with new paint, super fans, and AC if needed.  New menus and most important.....Dos Equis Amber on tap.  Happy Hour, every day from 5-7pm where all cervezas, tap or bottle, are 2x1.  All drinks are 2x1.  All wines are 2x1.  Do you see a pattern?  So two Coronas are 30 pesos.  14:1 exchange rate this week.  So about a $1.07 a beer. The tap beer is 75 pesos for two liters.  Yikes that's a lot of beer. (for small petite people)  Ok, I will do the math for you....75 pesos is $5.35 for two liters.  Two liters is 66 ounces or 5.5 beers.  So 97 cents a beer. Yah, it's that cheap.  The Frugal Donkey strikes again.  Those that know my signature hat, the photo means a bit more.  Not much more, just a bit.  BTW....#22 is the address of Esquina ............ Av. Mexico No. 22, Bucerias.  And for those with advanced Spanish, Esquina means corner.

 

 

One of the Fabulous 12 Beachfront restaurants in Bucerias.

 

The color of this restaurant is so bright, astronauts say they can see it.....not really.  But it is an icon here in Bucerias.  One of many, 12 or so, places that invite you sit on the beach, enjoy a beverage or six, since beers are usually sold by the bucket, and dig your toes in the sand.  Muy tranquila.  

 

 

Juan Marcos

 

 



 

GO PACKERS!

 

That was a little celebration after the Dallas game.  Adriaticos where I met Bill & Shirley.

 

 

The new king size bed in the Juan Marcos suite complete with 3 sets of new sheets.

 

 

Still, by far, the best shrimp tacos.....anywhere.  25 pesos/each.  Price jump. 

 

 

I shall leave you today with this awesome sunrise, taken this morning...Enero, quince.

 

Juan Marcos

 



Hola mi amigos!
I have finally arrived in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.  Actually I arrived last Tuesday, Jan 6, 2015 but I finally found my blog page, the one that I can add or subtract things. (edit)  Yeah.
So I have a cold beer next to me along with a few ounces of that magic elixir, tequila, and I'm ready to write some amazing......who I am I kidding.....ok, the first two items are correct, and happy hour starts at 5pm at the new Shamrock...Esquina 22....and it's almost 4pm.  This might be short.

 

Gotta love a good sunrise and a cup of coffee.

 

It took a while for me to adjust and to just sit back and soak in the beauty of this corner of the world, so that's what I want you to do.  (while I take a sip)  Those that have been here know from where this shot was taken.  Those that don't, well just come on down and visit. I have openings.

 

The flights here, one from MKE to PHX and the 2nd to PVR were relatively uneventful.  The way I like it.  My $28.00 landed me seats in First Class and I never looked back.  That first bloody mary was very nice, almost as nice as the 2nd.  I managed to keep the limit at two.  Note that it was only 645 am.

 

 

Yep, makes you appreciate the first picture a whole lot more.  The plane landed a few minutes late into PVR and I wasn't looking forward to an overcrowded Immigration and Customs hall.  I was mistaken.  Nobody in line.  Not one person.  Walked right up, handed them my empty drinks, and off I went.  Ok, sin the drinks, but it was amazing. No lines.  I guess 3:15 pm is the right time to arrive on a Tuesday.  Luggage was quite quick and no line to get out....awesome.  Cleared the hall of shame, time share sellers, and in no time I was across the bridge speeding towards Bucerias.

The security guard at the entrance to Terralta II had my keys and it was a breeze.  Time:  430pm.

Rumor had it that HH started at 5pm, so after a quick shower....I was headed to town.  10 minutes from my door to beer in hand. 

 

 

A liter of Dos Equis on tap.  35 pesos. 

 

I'm going to stop for this first entry into my 2015 Blog.  Much more to come and a bit faster than this first entry.  I promise.  Hasta luego.

 

Juan Marcos