St. Patricks Day 2015

St. Patrick's Day 2015.  A fun day, even though rain threatened the day.  The North side of Bucerias had The Luna Lounge hosting music, Corned Beef y Cabbage, and green beer.  The barely South side had Sharon (formerly The Shamrock) hosting the fun at El Beso.

 

Brenda y Bernie with a lot o' green.  We started the day at The Luna Lounge and then made our way to El Beso. (Sharon's place right over the kissing bridge)

 

Agustino was sure to have fun with two ladies cheering and mirrored glasses.

 

Angie y Agustino (the Italian Irishman)

The fabulous IOWA ladies.  I didn't catch all their names, Jan, Ann, Deb, Lynn, Ann....(Angie, not Iowan). It was the last night for Deb, and worries mounted as news spread that the bridge was out. Others simple drank more tequila y cervezas.  A fun night for all.

 

It's it like somebody always photo-bombs a nice Kodak moment.  Juan Marcos.....guilty.

 

 

This shot was taken about 7:30pm....also known as Sunset.  What an awesome display.  And this party was just winding up.  Even the mechanical bull was in action.  And NO, I didn't ride it.  Not enough tequila in Mexico to make me ride it.

Great job Sharon Bell for pulling off a great celebration.  The few sprinkles didn't even dampen the spirits. (yes, pun was intended) 



Le Bistrot

Last night Bernie, Brenda and I dined at LeBistrot, a really nice French restaurant at 11 Galena, Bucerias, MX  (just down from Marks)  The menu is printed on a chalk board and when they run out of an item, they simply erase it.  The food was fantastic!

 

For those with limited French, you can Google the translation.

Or just keep reading. 

 

Brenda ordered the Duck Confit. (Confit de Canard)

 

Bernie had the Tuna (Thon a la mustarde) It was perfectly prepared and huge.  Best choice award.

 

I had the goat cheese salad and... 85 pesos 

Fromage de chevre salade.

 

French onion soup. 80 pesos

Sou d'oignon

 

The nice thing about Le Bistrot is that you can bring your own wine.  And we did, thanks to Bernie and Brenda.

 

Anxiously awaiting a bottle opener.

 

Got glasses?

 

It was a great dinner, great evening, and great company.  Thank-you B&B.

Human Connections

Human Connections is a social enterprise, meaning we mix the goals of a non-profit organization with the efficiency of a traditional, financially sustainable business. (from their brochure)
On Thursday, March 12, 2015 we joined a small group of 15 visitors to go on a tour of three different businesses in Bucerias.  The first stop was at a hammock maker.

 

Gorgeous hammocks of various sizes including one that will hold an elephant, according to Don Moises.  So that would be my size.

 

The wood for the hammock chairs is being formed and dried in their back yard.

This is the family of Don Moises and Dona Zenaida.  They live on the northern edge of Bucerias and are expert hammock makers.  Using two vertical sticks and a collection of thin cotton or nylon ropes, they produce some beautiful hammocks or hammock chairs.  It's incredible to watch them make their products.  Don Moises sells his products on the beach and to local stores.  (the young couple on the left were on our tour)

 

Our second stop was at the Lopez Lopez family who are weavers and toy makers.  Martha proudly shows off her beautiful outfit.  She is only 21 years old but is the oldest daughter and most fluent Spanish speaker, making her the leader in the family.

 

Martha and her family of 12 are from an indigenous community in Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico.  There they raise sheep and work to process the sheep's wool into cloth, which is quite the artisanal process. 

 

Martha, her husband (esposo) and 14 year old sister (Hermana).

 

Very unique toys made from the wool sheered from their own sheep.  They spend 6 months making the products in Chiapas, and then 6 months in Bucerias selling their wares.   The colors are fantastic.

 

 

 

Our third and final stop was at Birrieria Ponce.

 

Don Carmelo is a local restaurant owner who prepares traditional Mexican foods with the help of his family.  His specialty is 'birria' (stewed beef) tacos and quesadillas.  He is a father of 10 children and shared an amazing story of how he overcame many challenges to provide for his family.

 

We each got to try our hand in making fresh corn tortillas. (Don's wife)

 

We were each served one quesadilla and one pelliscadas.  And if you were still hungry, you got more.  (included in the tour price)

 

Pellizcadas, which means pinched, is a fat tortilla with some pinches to hold the wonderful 'birria'. These were incredible tasting and incredibly simple.  30 pesos.  His restaurant is open from 6am to 11am (closed on Fridays) and is located next to the riverbed and Sunday market.  Awesome food.

 

I highly recommend this tour by Human Connections.  Check out their website:  humanconnections.org or on facebook.   This tour was designed to help local Mexican entrepreneurs grow their own businesses, leading to a stronger, healthier community for all.

 

Dinner for Four

 

What a beautiful way to begin the day.  With new guests, Brenda and Bernie arriving this afternoon, preparations have begun.  Dinner for Four.

 

 

The fish market in Bucerias sells these wonderful delicacies...camarones.  With some light jazz in the background, I prepare for tonight's feast of Camarones Diablo Marinara con pasta.

 

Presentation is everything.  Not sure who said that first, but when my guests arrive, this is their first impression.  Fresh roses never hurt when dressing a table.  The wine assortment came from the Mega cellars.

 

I love fresh bread and these 4 loves had just came out of the oven at the new bakery here in Bucerias at 8:01am....Pan Pan....Yum yum.

 

Fresh ingredients are always the key to a great salad.  Bucerias has lots of great places to find wonderful veggies.  I like to serve the salad with my version of a honey mustard vinaigrette.  

Bon Appetit!

Marival

 

Marival was our destination on Sunday, March 8th. Located in Nuevo Vallarta amongst all the other huge resorts.

 

Our Michigan friends, Mike y Sheri, along with his younger brother, Dave y Michelle, and Alex and I filled this table for an incredible 5 hour feast.

 

It didn't matter what you ordered, it was included in the price.  239 pesos.  Food and Drink.

 

For another 250 pesos you could use the pools, towels, showers, recliners....most of the resort.

 

Juan Marcos (with a new hat)

 

 

Dave, Michelle, and Alex discuss world politics.

 

 

Incredible Paella

From scratch made omelets, pancakes, pasta, tortillas, roast beef, ribs, braised shank, ...the list of food was nearly endless.

 

Marival = Inviting

 

So for a sun filled day with friends?  239 pesos or $15.75.  A deal according to the Frugal Donkey.  

El Chivero II

El Chivero is located at Avenida Pacifico #9, Bucerias 63732, Nayarit, Mexico

One of a dozen restaurants on the beach.  Wed & Sat were usually packed as live music filled the air.

This particular group of Canadians made those days exceptionally fun.

 



 

Tina & Nels enjoying an afternoon at El Chivero

 

Beth & Juan Marcos (American without his hat)

 

Buckets of beer/cerveza...6 btls for 100 Pesos. Love it.

 

Everybody enjoys it.

 

 

Dancing with toes in the sand.

 

Lulu & Tina telling stories.

 

Beth, Tina, and Dancing Lady.

Shirt Serach

On Thursday, March 5th, Alex and I headed to Secrets to search for a shirt that his brother Jeff had left behind.

 

Within 5 minutes of our arrival, welcome beverages were delivered. Gracias Mario!

 

 

Alex decides to search one the pools for the missing garment.

 

 

I took the dry approach and scanned the horizon continuously for clothing.

 

 

Seeing that I needed help, Alex joined in the search.

 

 

Perhaps a wider view would help us, so up to the 8th floor we ventured.

 

 

As the sun began to set, our hopes at finding any shirt faded.

 

 

Always relentless, my search continued. 

Do you have my shirt?

 

Ok, before you get any wrong ideas, this young model graciously posed for my Menards ad.  AND she was from Wisconsin.  She was selling jewelry for Diamonds International.  Really, she was.

 

The story doesn't end here. Not quite.  After 8 hours of searching, we forgot what we were looking for.  So a 2nd and perhaps even a 3rd expedition is planned.