An era ends, another begins...

21 December 2012

...The End.

The Beginning...

I begin this new era.

2013 will be a wonderful year. Happy New Year.

Gaudi in Pátzcuaro

We not only have traditional colonial architecture to admire, but we have our own Gaudi style. Or should that be written with a “y”… gaudy? Here is a most whimsical house. We don’t even have to fly to Barcelona, just stroll down Obregon.

Ravel Opera performed in Patzcuaro

The lyrical fantasy of Maurice Ravel, libretto by Colette, was recently performed in Pátzcuaro at the Teatro Emperador Caltzontzin on Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra aka Plaza Chica.

The work tells the story of an unruly small boy. He must face the consequences of thoughtless and mean actions. Familiar objects and creatures that he has tormented come to life for an afternoon in a fantasy intended to teach him a lesson of respect for his environment and for nature. The lesson ends happily.

Desorden Arte A.C. coached children from the Casa Hogar para Niños Necesitados (home for needy children) in Morelia for the performance. It was surely an expanding and confidence-building experience for these niños.The classical musicians and singers for the opera were from the renowned Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia.
Once again, Patzcuarenses attended a quality production free of charge.
See also:
Bola Suriana
Purhépecha String Quartet
Happy Birthday, Pátzcuaro

Night of the Dead

Night of the Dead: The most unique and memorable cultural event of the Lake Pátzcuaro Region, observed yearly.

See
- Posts about Noche de Muertos
- Night of the Dead Flickr Photos
- Flikr photos of Noche de Muertos Flowers

Parking for Traveling Expats

The expatriate community was quick to pass the word on their discovery. It has now become common practice. In Mexico motels or auto-hotels are for dalliance; hotels are for sleeping. The “sex” motels have hidden, very secure parking and the rooms+garage are cheap. Travelers with vehicles that are loaded with goodies, whether going north or south, like these motels as an option. Pátzcuaro now boasts its very own, in town, on Calle Obregón:


I understand that rooms for Noche de Muertos in Pátzcuaro have been sold out for some time. Perhaps this is an option…

See Hotels versus Motels

Safari on Plaza Grande

Patzcuaro's Plaza Grande never fails to entertain. Safari? Safaris? Yes, a Volkswagen Safari contest, what else. Great cars!
















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Playing on the Coast

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An Endangered Turtle

We make interesting forays from Patzcuaro. At Conejos bay, one of Huatulco's (Oaxaca) nine bays, for the first time we saw just-hatched baby turtles make a morning scramble from their sandy nest to the sea. They were the species tortuga golfina (Lepidochelys olivacea). Sailing a Hobie cat in the bay in the afternoon we saw two large adults which we think were the same species. We were glad these little guys did not end up as omelets. The next night a new nest was established nearby, so there should be more hatchlings in some 50 days.
















The speck on the sand near the water line is the little turtle.

Eating…again!

What is on my mind? I just can’t help myself. Eating—again—at La Jacaranda.

First botanas on the back portal.

Then comida inside.

Avocado ice cream for dessert. Very Michoacán!
Friends contributed generous and delicious treats. Good food and good company. What could be better.
Still hungry? See:
Buén Provecho Salad
Foccaccia
Les Cousines dans la Cuisine

Our Beautiful Fig Tree

El Higuero

The little stick we stuck in the ground has grown into a large, beautiful and very productive fig tree. Small green nubs grow into a profusion of fruit. Our mouths begin to water as we watch for it to ripen. The figs seductively plump out and then turn a deep purple color. We palpate their curves gently with our fingers. The trick is to beat the ever vigilant birds. We race to see who gets the ripe ones first. It is a let-down to go to that fat fig of yesterday that was almost ready and find that today, just as we thought, it is perfect—and now full of holes. The early bird gets the fig?

Glen came up with a good idea. He searched on the internet for a recipe to make preserves from green (unripe) figs and yesterday made five pounds of these into preserves. Very tasty! And there is still an abundance of fruit on the tree for which we will compete as the figs ripen.

Making Citrus Marmelade

Life is Sweet

Palate Pleasing Papaya

Patzcuaro's Rainy Season

This morning.

We enjoy this season. Lush shades of green dress the garden at La Jacaranda. Last night we slept under our cozy blanket with an outside temperature of 59˚F. Many days bring us windows of sunshine between rains and comfortable temperatures tend to range in the mid to high 70s.

It rained buckets this afternoon. Where was Sir Walter Raleigh?

Rain and images of Pátzcuaro:

Rain...

Rain Concert

The rains have passed…

Crazy Weather

Summer in Patzcuaro

A Colonial Pueblo

When I am out patzcuareando, street scenes like this remind me that Patzcuaro still offers a look at traditional Mexico in a small and very livable colonial pueblo. Horses are a daily and important part of local culture.

Carnitas

Carnitas. Tacos of carnitas. Delicious and prized. People stand in long lines to buy their carnitas. I always go to this puesto in the main market building. It is located in the aisle that runs along the north wall of the market and it faces the Carnicería Norteña. The fresh, steaming, hot carnitas arrive at 11:00 am, earlier than most places, and I have never waited in line. I was her first customer on this morning and I purchased carnitas for a comida with friends at our house.

Chicken: Pollería Gaby

I like to procure fresh chicken from Pollería Gaby. The Pollería is located in the second aisle from the north that runs east-west in the large, main market building. One can buy a chicken whole or have it cut up to suit you. One can also purchase breasts, breast filets, thighs, drumsticks, etc.

We like to keep the fat in our diet low. I select a chicken and  have it cut up with all the skin and fat removed. They are fast! We have degusted delectable dishes that range from a Red Thai Chicken Curry to a Chicken Pozole with the pollo from Gaby.

Carnicería La Norteña

If you are looking for meat, try Carnicería La Norteña on the north wall of the main market building. They have a variety of fresh meats and are eager to help.

 

Fashion

On my way to the market building I cut through all the roofed wooden stalls on the west side of Plaza Chica. I could see from this mannequin that I am just not in vogue. Maybe I need a new look.

Mmm…maybe not.

Semana Santa

Easter, Holy Week, in Pátzcuaro is the time of greatest religious significance in the pueblo, with days of great solemnity followed by joy and jubilance and the burning of Judas.

Semana Santa also brings one of the two big craft fairs of the year (the other is for Noche de Muertos/NIght of the Dead) to Plaza Grande. Visitors come from all over Mexico as well as from countries around the world to see the renowned folk art from the pueblos of Michoacán. A few artisans also come from other regions.

See more about Semana Santa.

March in Pátzcuaro

Spring in Pátzcuaro is not to be missed. The children’s parade every year is a delight and will be coming soon.

Slideshow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyzeye/sets/72157615206385999/show/

Empanadas

I adore “salty” empanadas as an appetizer or as a meal with a salad. A family business has been selling empanadas for over 50 years in Pátzcuaro and they are available on Plaza Chica. An hermano or hermana takes his/her turn staffing the stall under the portal at the Southwest corner of Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra. You can best find someone there after 5:00 PM, as well as what seems random other times. Usually only sweet empanadas are available in the display case for walk-up customers. However, with a minimum of two days notice, I order from Carlos Melgoza Nieto for pick-up some empanadas made with meat and some with rajas  of chile poblano. Once I ordered 120 — not all for me you will be happy to know; we had guests.

Restaurante Cenaduría Lupita II, Morelia

We had not visited this buffet of regional foods in quite a while. From the choice of aguas that came with the meal, we ordered a pitcher of guava-ade. It was delicious. I enjoyed picking and choosing from a variety of dishes. At Pesos $130 per person, it seems a little pricey (I must be spoiled) unless one can eat a lot. The restaurant is located on Camelinas.

Cenaduria Lupita II‎
Periférico Nueva España
Av. Camelinas 3100
58270 Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
01 443 314 2848