Part 1 of 4 on Customs & Immigration…..Welcome to Mexico!

Customs & Immigration. Know the difference.
Carry a black ink pen. If you want to meet new people, carry several pens. Fill out your forms on the airplane if you can. In Chicago, they had the forms at the gate, so I grabbed several of each. One for mistakes. While filling out the forms, have your passport handy, or memorize your passport number, you will need to know that number, date of issue, date it expires, color and number of pages, lol and country from where it was issued. This is not a test, don’t worry about failing. Also, you will need to know your Flight # and airline. (i.e. AA2265) Know an address, street, town, and state of where you are staying, or if you have no idea, use the name of any hotel. Also know how many days you are staying. Remove your socks to count if you have too.
(My info for 2011: 210 Laurel, Terralta II, Bucerias, Jalisco, Nayarit, Mexico)
Contact: Gabriela Hernandez. Phone: 322-127-8273) Copy or print this. You will need it. Email: Gabriela Hernandez"
The forms have changed this year, simplified, so there is only one signature on the front for immigration. Each person has to fill out this two part form. Customs is a front & back form which asks if you have been farming…..say no. Humor is not appreciated in Customs. I declared that I was bringing in food……sandwiches, cookies, cashews, and chips…...they pulled me aside and I had to show them my lunch. However, I had already eaten most of it. Try to explain that with poor Spanish.
You will first enter the Immigration hall. Have you passport ready and a completed Immigration form. Use the middle or far right lanes, the left lanes are for Mexican residents. The lines move pretty fast, for Mexico. After the official looks you over, and does some loud stamping, he/she will remove the right portion of the form and return it with your passport. DO NOT LOSE this form. They won’t let you leave the country if you do. Start looking for a job if you do lose it.

After you get through that mess, you will follow the signs to the baggage claim area. There are 3 or 4 baggage turnstiles. Your luggage could arrive on any of them, regardless of how they are marked. Be patient. By the time I got to baggage claim, they had pulled off my suitcase, so check around. Don’t hurry, I’m probably waiting on the other side of the wall, drinking a cold cerveza. I can wait.
Buenos Dias
 

One week already? That means I only have…..too early, not counting. Alas! Still no internet, but just as I started to write this, Gabriella, the property manager knocked on the door and she had Eduardo, the owner from Guadalajara, who spoke better English than I do, and he explained the problems he was having getting a modem. He assured me that he had arranged for one to be delivered to Puerto Vallarta, and that Gaby would retrieve one, today. Just keeping me updated helps. Fingers are crossed, or should I say, the binary bits are flipped …..never mind.
While she was here, I asked Gaby to show me how to work the washing machine. She said….very simply, until she realized that all the instructions were in Spanish. Oh mio dio, they might say. (in Italian) Hey, I thought it was funny.
Today’s photos show some of the excitement that fills the air these days…..the carnival. As a former safety engineer, this is a gold mine for an OSHA safety course…..on what NOT to do. Electrical, mechanical, and fall protection could all be covered. (every few feet) I shall pray nobody gets hurt or worse this week.
I’m now heading to Panino’s for another internet session con café. (with coffee)
Buenos Dias!

Mike & Sherry from Michigan enjoying the Packer game.

Liz and Paulina sporting some nice smiles.

Aaaahhh….Sunday morning……the sun just coming up, the birds are chirping, and the sounds of a ancient 30 year-old hammer drill fitted with a dull bit and quite possibly being used in reverse so as to prolong the agony….the one-day construction project next to my head has commenced…..8am on a Sunday? Welcome to Mexico! (my neighbor is having her concrete fence extended with no coincidence that I just moved in.)
As my head attempts to clear the proverbial cobwebs, I begin to wonder was it all a dream? Did the Packers kick some ass against Atlanta last night? Did I actually finish the night with a litre of Negro Modelo? Did a cute Packer fan really kiss me?
Which brings to mind the age old question, why do we blame the last drink as the one we shouldn’t have consumed? What about the 6 before it? But I digress!
What a great game for Packer fans, but those of you living in WI already know all the details, so I won’t regurgitate them here, but I can fill you in on the celebration and camaraderie that ensued at …..The Shamrock.
Earlier, I was more than pleasantly surprised that Jess turned on the Pittsburgh, Baltimore game and that wi-fi was available. Cheers! The day was improving quickly. Even though I had some regrets for not making the bus trip to Sayulita to watch the game with mi hermano, Pedro, I was determined to make the best of it at the Shamrock.
Just at the start of the Packer game, in walk two of last year’s friends from Terralta I. (I must add that Terralta I has some wonderful residents and I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 months there in Jan/Feb/March of 2010) Mike and Sherry, from Michigan, joined me in cheering on Green Bay. As Mike so aptly put it, “When you have the Detroit Lions as you primary team, you need to choose a good 2nd one.”
As we kept Gil & Homer, the bartenders, busy and the game progressed……a few more lovely Packer fans joined in. Meanwhile, the gigante Jenga game added to the festivities. A fun time was had by all. And the Packers are going to play next weekend. YES!
Oh, to answer those three questions…….2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
Buenos Dias

A giant Jenga game always addes some excitement to the night.

Work, work, work....that's all I do!

The Shamrock Irish Pub and Lounge
Today’s featured spot and a daily favorite of mine. As I just learned, they now have wi-fi keeping them in the top spot in Bucerias. (they always were) A daily happy hour from 5-7 with cervezas 2x1 (20 pesos for two Corona or Pacifico) and with an added bonus of liters (33 ounces for the non-metric minded) of Negro Modelo for 55 pesos (and 2x1 during HH).....what more could you want? 22 beers, 15 tequilas, 22 whiskeys, 12 vodkas and a partridge in a pear tree. (no! that’s not what I drank last night) A welcome attitude, a cold beverage before you ask for it, friendly smiles, and yes, even karaoke. Live music, and a large TV, an updated 2nd floor lounge with a pool table and juke box and a view....and great food. Proper Fish & Chips, pot pies, Irish stew, and handmade burgers.
Sharon (the extremely Irish owner), Jess, Gil, and Homer ensure that your attitude improves the moment you enter the doors. This year the absence of Natalie was evident and she will be greatly missed. (rumor has it that she has returned to her homeland) Cheers to you Natalie if you’re reading this.
Located on Avendia Mexico #22, on the North side of Bucerias.

The Shamrock gets 5-stars in my rating system. It will be a treat to show my visitors… The Shamrock. The secret is out…..you now know where to find me! (12 pesos/dollar)
You will without a doubt be seeing many more pics and blog entries of The Shamrock.

Buenos Dias!

Earlier you got a sample of one of the Bucerias sunsets, which are absolutely gorgeous. (I’m sure there are other places that have beautiful sunsets, but for now, I’m here.) I will sprinkle the blog with some random sunsets throughout my stay. They really don’t need a lot of extra verb-age, they speak for themselves. Enjoy His art.
Buenos Dias

Saturday is finally here! TGIS…. Except there is one problem (for retirees) there are 6 Saturdays in a week. The coffee is brewing, the photos are being sorted, and the hammering and pounding of the workers next door has begun. Yeah! Welcome to Mexico. I seem to attract noise, like a hydrant to a dog.
Today’s entry includes a few shots of the neighborhood: Terralta II Since I haven’t completely walked it, I haven’t counted or memorized the streets, but later this week, month, or year, I will. It’s clean, it’s small, it’s comfortable and it has no high-rises except for the two they began building a few years ago near the entrance.
It has a gated entrance which obviously doesn’t keep out all the ‘trouble’ as they let me pass several times a day.
Buenos Dias!

I shall title this entry: Mi Casa en Bucerias

This year I am staying in a 2-story, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo in a subdivision known as Terralta II. (there are currently 3 different Terraltas) Located in the town of Bucerias in the state of Nayarit. Puerto Vallarta, 15 miles to the south, is in the state of Jalisco. I on the other hand, am mostly in the state of ____________. (fill in the blank)
There are probably 100 cookie-cutter condos in this subdivision as the pics will show. Contrary to some opinions, it is not a 5000 sq. ft. villa with an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific. Nor does it cost $9000/week to rent it. Those types are available. I’m more than content to take my siestas right here.
210 Laurel is the address, and yes that is a Christmas decoration on the front door. It is my humble abode whilst I tarry in these 80 degrees days and 60 degree nights. Perhaps a cruel comment to my WI & MN readers. Perhaps my way of inviting you.
Two of the interior shots show a stylish, but no so comfortable living room setting complete with a lighted hanging waterfall that likes to spit water on the couch. And for those that have zoom, yes, that is a GQ magazine on the table. (is there no shame?) The Money magazine is right below it. For those that cannot zoom, please disregard those comments and read on.
The downstairs is comprised of the ½ bath, living, dining, and kitchen rooms. The dining table seats 6 comfortably which is overkill if you only have 2 friends.
The brand new LG Plasma TV swivels so that you don’t have too. I have finally figured out the remote. I figured out that the remote doesn’t work. How do you say “I need two AA batteries in Spanish? Or what’s the Spanish word for horseradish? Life is not so simple here, I tell ya!
So now I can watch season 6 of House, which I somehow squeezed into my 50.1 pound suitcase. American Airlines weighed it also and confirmed that.
So as to keep my blog entries shorter, I’m going to end this one…..more later.
Buenos Dias

On a slightly different note, many of you already know that my mom passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2011. I want to thank all of you that sent notes of condolences along with your prayers. She has joined dad in Heaven.

I write these words tonight with a bit of a melancholy attitude, as expected. Not so much mourning the loss of my mother, which I do; but from knowing the attitudes and beliefs of some friends and family. Mom had faith, to the end. She is without a doubt enjoying the blessings of heaven that she did not earn nor deserve. By grace we are saved, through faith….. Mom wasn’t perfect, nobody is. Did she have faults? Absolutely! When I was young, did she cut my hair really short when she was angry with dad? Yes. (or was she really mad at me?)

What really matters is that she was connected to Christ to the end. And in the end, that is the only thing that matters. To her, to me, and to you. Not how good she was or how good we are! That did not earn her nor will it earn you a room in His mansion. Nothing you or I do will. Not even her generosity when she baked 20 loaves of bread on a weekly basis.

She was connected…..to Christ. Are you? Since the bible tells us that faith comes from hearing, when was the last time you accepted God’s invitation to worship? When was the last time you rejected it? Which question was easier to answer? Permit those words to sink in.

I spent a portion of last evening watching a gorgeous sunset over Banderas Bay and it was amazing. One is a fool if they don’t stop and think about the artist behind every sunset. How appropriate it was to sit back in awe of the Creator, and say Thank-you, not only for the sunset but for mom.
Buenos Dias, mi amigos.
 

With the heavy rains last year, the flowers are even more spectacular. This is one example at a private home on Lazaro Cardenas, a main street in Bucerias. Many more to come.

Buenos Dias

As many of you know, I am a numbers person. (duh) And when it comes to shopping, numbers are everywhere. One of challenges in Mexico is at the grocery store, for example, Jitomate 17.90 pesos/kg. (hint: tomatoes) You’ve got the money conversion which changes daily, and then you have one of my favorites, metric to English. So can you figure out what a pound of Roma Tomatoes cost in USD here?
To those of you reading this that have accepted my invite to join me this year, prepare yourself for the Juan Marcos Food Challenge. Either bring a small calculator or practice some math problems on Friday nights.
Speaking of the food challenge, last night I attempted to make a Juan Marcos Milanesa de Pollo con Spaghetti Rigati. With a secret ingredient: cashews. (ok, not so secret anymore) Did you know that Cashews are relatives of Mango, Pistachio and Poison Ivy. Please do not combine those flavors. (at home)
It’s a dish that I plan on serving to welcome guests. Working out of a different kitchen has it’s problems…..either the tools aren’t provided, or I can’t find them. Both are correctable.

Buenos Dias!

Note: all my restaurants that I review are located in Bucerias, unless stated.

Panino’s is the restaurant of the day. It is an Italian Bakery/Restaurant and it was the target of my Tuesday morning coffee cravings with a side dose of wifi. It is a tiny looking place that serves some awesome fresh breads & pastries. The big change from last year is that they have expanded and now have a garden seating area complete with a small waterfall but most important, an electrical outlet for recharging my laptop. (priorities?) They also make a fine bottomless cup of joe coupled with a breakfast sandwich on a freshly baked baguette. YUM. (67 pesos) They also have a small library where you can exchange one of your gently used books for one of theirs. Also note that Dennis, the owner, has two other locations, one in Sayulita to the North where Pete & Sharon abide, and the other to be discovered later in my explorations. Stay tuned. Just learned that his 2nd location is also in Bucerias, in the complex closest to my condo. And it's where they bake all their goodies. Another gem!

Question of the day: Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Buenos Dias mi amigos.

This is Bucerias beach, looking South. (9 minute walk from my condo)

This is Bucerias beach, looking North. A 10 minute walk from my condo.

Enero doce, 2011
Pete, Sharon and I arrived in Mexico on Monday, Jan 10, 2011 It was a long day as the morning began at 2am, after a huge Packer win the night before. Thanks to the chauffeuring efforts of roommate, David, we arrived at ORD by 6am. OK, perhaps this is too much detail. Sorry.
I am pleased to say that customs, immigration, and baggage claim (and these are three separate events in a traveler’s arrival into Mexico) was absolutely smooth, swift, and painless. A first for me. Again, thanks to Steve, a mutual friend, we left Puerto Vallarta, hereafter to be known as PV, did some obligatory grocery shopping (liquor and toilet paper) and I arrived at my condo in Terralta II on the North side of Bucerias. (more on the condo in future writings)
Today’s photo are of the beach that is located closest to my front door. One is taken looking North, and the other (can you guess) looking West. (I mean South)
Many more pics and stories to follow, once I get the internet connected in mi casa. (which is becoming a slightly sore subject when I start talking to myself.
Buenos Dias mi amigos!

John’s Creamy Apple & Butternut Squash w/Curry Soups….

This recipe makes 6 servings. Read this entire recipe before jumping in.
Ingredients:
1. Butternut Squash. One med-large sized butternut squash was used for this recipe. Cut, clean, peel..whatever it takes to get a bunch of squash squares to put into some hot chicken stock.

2. Apples. One large or two med apples will do. There are so many different types of apples to choose from. Braeburn apples (sweet with a hint of tart) were on sale, so I used them. Granny Smith will make for a much tart-er version, but the brown sugar you add will balance it. (hint: use any apple you want) Peeled and cored, drop them into the hot chicken stock along with the squash.

3. Chicken Stock. 3-4 cups of stock. Enough to just cover the squash & apples.

4. & 5.Onion & garlic. 2 small finely diced onions or shallots and a teaspoon of minced or finely chopped garlic. I add these two ingredients too almost all my dishes. (except ice cream)

6. & 7. Butter and Olive Oil. Used to sauté the above two ingredients.

8. Heavy Whipping Cream. Just a few tablespoons. Half/Half works also; for a few less calories.

9. Curry. I used a full teaspoon of curry. You can adjust this down a bit depending on the type of curry you are using. I use a Chinese curry because I had some left, but Thai and Indian curries work equally if not better. (you really only need ½ teaspoon)

10. Brown Sugar. I like to add a couple tablespoons of brown sugar for balance. A teaspoon of honey also works or anything you like to sweeten this soup.

11. & 12. Salt & Pepper…..to taste. Salt enhances most all foods, so it’s a no-brainer. I like freshly ground pepper just before I serve the dish. See photo if you can’t picture it.

13. Parmesan Cheese…., I microplane some Parmesan Cheese over the soup right before I serve it. Do so right at the table for an even better presentation. Buy a microplane if you don’t have one, it’s the 2nd most valuable tool in my kitchen. Wine is the first.
 
Now what?
1. In your large soup kettle, Sauté the finely chopped onions and garlic in a tablespoon of butter and a glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you don’t have EVOO, use VOO, nobody will know. 3-4 minutes of sautéing should be enough. Now add the chicken stock to the onions and garlic.

2. Heat the 3-4 cups of chicken stock. Stock, broth, bouillon….you pick.

3. By now your sou chef should have cut up the squash and apples. If not, fire him/her and do it yourself.

4. Slip the squash and apples into the stock and bring to a boil. Try very hard to not watch the pot boil. Reduce heat and simmer until items are very soft. Oh, maybe 24 minutes, plus or minus.

5. At this point, I remove the pot from the stove, and move it closer to the outlet so I can blend this mixture with my immersion blender. If you don’t have an immersion blender, buy one.

6. Blend for several minutes until the mixture is relatively smooth and to the texture you want.

7. I like to add a few tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, but I’ve have used half/half and even reg milk. Besides adding the creamy part of the description, and thickening agent, it also changes the color of the soup. I have also used bread, yes, bread, as the ‘thickening’ agent. Experiment.

8. You can toss in your curry, salt and brown sugar at this time and give the blender another buzz, but often I add these ingredients after the pot goes back onto the stove which has now been set to low. (not warm, low which is slightly warmer than warm) Note: If this is your first time at making this soup, I recommend you add the curry/salt/sugar a little at a time, tasting along the way until you like the results.

9. Your soup is ready when you say it’s ready. If I plan to serve it that day, I will keep it on low for several hours. I prefer to make this soup the day before, refrigerate it overnight, and then reheat it an hour or two before the dinner. The flavors just seem to blend better overnight.

10. Just before serving this soup to your guests, generously grate your favorite Parmesan cheese over the soup along with your freshly ground black pepper. I also drizzle just a little cream into the center of the bowl. ENJOY.

The University is in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana (total population 180,000) in east-central Illinois. Situated about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 180 miles northeast of St. Louis.

Nearly 28,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in nine undergraduate divisions, which together offer some 4,000 courses in more than 150 fields of study.

The University enrolls over 9,000 graduate and professional students in more than 100 disciplines.

The University recently recruited 3 brilliant UCSD undergraduates for a unique 1 year Master's program in Mechanical Engineering specializing in nano-engineering.

So is there really a campus in Champaign? Yes.....and a very nice huge one. Here is a small sample of the campus. Enjoy..

Ok, we've seen some pubs and then some more pubs.....do these 3 actually have an apartment? Yes, they do. I spent two nights there. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 2nd floor. These pics show the kitchen/dining/living room. Plenty of space for 3 graduate students in the same program. Walking distance from everything including campus. It's about 8-10 blocks from the campus.

So what do these 3 pics have in common? If you answered, "all three are located in Champaign, IL", you would be correct but ......not really.

My friend Jim, from MN, who attended U of IL for a couple years , asked me to check out 7 different places that were around 30 years ago. These 3 are the only ones I found. Dooley's Cochrane's, Panama Red's, and the White Horse remain lost.

Introducing the next level of Mechanical Engineers.......Friday night.

U of IL (part 2)

The picture does say at least a 1000 words......following a few pubs stops, the decision to head 'home' became unanimous. The incredible drawing power of a CAT excavator was too much for this set of three future engineers of America.

Parking.....now that's a 'bad' word in my vocabulary, and the U of IL did not disappoint me. With google map directions in hand, I easily found the Office of Parking building a mile or so from the campus. I was falsely pleased that nobody else had discovered this 'gem' on that particular time of day....3:30pm Friday. I could see at least 5 dedicated employees through the bullet-proof glass. The large sign in the front lobby clearly directed all new pass holders to a small closet sized room down a short hallway where 2 computers beckoned users to log on.

After several futile attempts I approached the thick glass with my simple request......a 2-day visitors pass, please. I was informed that the sign and computers were not intended for visitor's passes. Right. Ok, what do I need to do? A copy of your car's registration form, a completed City of Champaign Parking Registration Form, a valid driver's license, $15.00, and a pound of flesh.

Thanks to David's email and foresight, I was prepared with the appropriate copies and completed forms. This should be simple! Right!

Just so this doesn't become an entire chapter.....the process, for a prepared visitor, was 25 minutes. Five minutes to locate change for a $20. Remember how crowded it was when I entered? The number of applicants remained constant the entire time. ONE.

After receiving the Yellow pass, shown above, I was advised of the 20 blocks where the pass was valid, and that I needed to fine the right meter, the 10-hour ones. And, that I should find a meter, park the car, and not move it, using somebody else's vehicle. What? You have got to be kidding me! (they weren't smiling, so I don't think they were)

I learned later that the parking fine, if I didn't have the pass, was less than the pass. LOL. OH, one must simply shake their head when you come across such gross inadequacies and incompetent processes. Note that I didn't blame the 'friendly' people. (I'm working on it, ok!)

Taylor, David, and Tyler enjoying menu items at The Blind Pig. Pub #1 on our tour. Go to www.blindpigco.com for even more info.

Anna Schweig, my favorite bartender in Champaign, delightfully pours another glass of joy!

If you look closely, this soon to be priceless menu was autographed by Anna.

August 27-29, 2010

Welcome to the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana campus! It was a 3oo mile weekend road trip to visit David and his cohorts as they begin their adventure of obtaining their Master's degree.

The Silver Sipper performed flawlessly as it slid down the WI and IL highways. Average mpg was 56 on the trip down. With a sticker rating of 48 highway and 53 city, I am more than pleased with the performance.

Our first stop on my inaugural visit Friday night was The Blind Pig. The first of many glasses was the Anderson Valley Anniversary Imperial IPA......most excellent!

For those that have not been to Williamstown, MA or don't even have a clue where it is.....here's a map. NY stateline is to the left, and Vermont to the top. Basically in the corner of nowhere...but absolutely gorgeous country.