Paradise Week #4

November 13 - 19, 2022

We made our usual trip to the Sunday Market again this week. Some from Puerto Morelos who have been following my blog have asked where it is, so I prepared the map below to explain where it is. Follow the blue dotted line starting at the Highway by the 7/11.

On our way to the market we passed by this tree which is called the "Angel Trumpet Tree" 

which can grow up to 30 feet tall, the flower is just beautiful. 

I do love this colour. however they do come in a variety of colours.

Often it takes me a while to complete my blog because I try to research some items I mention in the post. 

To my surprise I found this: 

Q. Is the angel trumpet tree poisonous? 

A.  Yes, all parts of the tree are toxic. Symptoms may include intense thirst, difficulty with speech and swallowing, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, dilated pupils, seizures and coma.

Dang, who'da thought something so beautiful could be so harmful - a true wolf in sheep's clothing

The first market vendor we came upon was selling pulled pork tortillas

which are made from blue corn flour.

Blue corn is a nutritious corn variety native to Mexico which is ground from blue flint corn (aka - Indian corn). The ground flour is a greyish colour which turns more blue when cooked. This variety of corn is easier to digest than its yellow counterpart, as it has less indigestible starch. It also has about 20% more protein than yellow corn and a lower glycemic index. This means less sugar spikes and crashes. 

I have to admit, we didn't try any on this visit because we had just eaten before heading to the market. I strongly recommend you do not eat before leaving home as there are some amazing eateries along the market route.

The market route had many more vendors this week and lots of people shopping and just sightseeing.

One of our friends comes often to get her walking steps in for the day - it is a slow leisurely paced route and helps maintain a healthy mind and body.

There was such a variety of items for sale - you could even purchase chickens today. That would make for a good pet don't you think? I wonder if you could walk her on a leash? Yep, you can --check out YouTube for "How to train your chicken to walk on a harness and leash". Who would ever have thought? Interesting isn't it?

A handyman's paradise.

BBQ'd corn again this week.

It is the first year that I have seen this vendor at the market. All of their produce is well displayed and looks delicious. Many people stop and buy here.

In English this sign at this fruit market says "if you don't bring your own  bag you will be charged $2.00 pesos". That price sounds worse than it is - today on the market our Canadian dollar buys $14.27 pesos  according to my financial conversion app. We always carry a packsack and an extra carry bag with us with the expectation we will buy something. Like back in Canada, the major stores in our part of Mexico do not hand out plastic bags however, the little shops and vendors do - at a price.

There is always a large selection of clothing every week. I am not a rummage shopper for clothing but many people are, I much prefer shopping from the rack and trinket tables. 

This little Christmas dress was so cute, can't you picture a toddler wearing it?

Sox galore, no need to have cold feet. I can't understand why there are so many racks of sox when everyone wears sandals. Come to think of it, I have never seen anyone in sandals while wearing sox. Perhaps they wear them inside the home or like me, wear them to bed?? Yes, I do from time to time wear sox to bed, even here in Puerto, but not when wearing sandals. 😀😀

Hair accessories are seen at several of the vendors - those girls like to have their hair looking nice.

These look like handy flyswatters --a little play on words there.  I guess you could have one for each hand - one right and one left. LOL.

We met with our friends, Maurice and Susan, at La Cabana for dinner one evening. Susan just dropped in for a short vacation this time but is looking forward to returning to Puerto Morelos  in the new year for a longer stay. Maurice on the other hand has been here for quite a while and doesn't plan on going back to Canada any time soon. He shivers at the thought of going back to Manitoba  before the weather warms up in June or was that July he said?

Claudia and her friend Mauricio stopped by one evening to pick up some things we brought back for her from Canada.  Their bike was fully loaded for their trip home AND it rained a huge downpour before they got there.  She was like a kid at Christmas with all her treasures! 

Much to our delight, the garbage truck comes around three times a week. Everyone is out to meet it when it comes down the street, even Piolin the cat.

The driver and one other worker are people we remember from last year and they remembered us. Big smiles, huge waves of the hand and jolly HOLAs greeted us on their trip past when we arrived mid October and they continue to do so every trip past since. We love our little piece of heaven here in Puerto Morelos for so many reasons, the biggest I think is that the locals  treat us so well. The neighbours seem so happy to see us return. It makes us  feel good and feel a part of the fabric of the community.

Piolin, the hood cat likes to lay on the cement in the late afternoon, early evening to keep his tummy cool I think.

Although one of our favourite restaurants, La Cabana, is closed on Tuesdays don't let that fool you because this ambitious and prosperous family is still hard at work.

The whole restaurant is getting a new facelift.....

The hand painted wall murals are so well done.

Currently they have one part of the cooking facilities doing fish/seafood, the second part cooks burgers, ribs, baked potatoes and everything else on the menu....

AND... GET THIS! They are opening a café which will sell  non alcoholic beverages and sweets! Wow eh?

The wall murals in the café are so well done too, 

I am anxious to see the project completed --- I think it is going to be beautiful!

We even caught the artist at work! I was so in awe with the whole project I stepped in wet cement out on the sidewalk and didn't know it until Allan brought it to my attention. OOPS!

Following our viewing of La Cabana, we finished some errands and stopped for lunch at El Sazon Jarocho, otherwise known as the red chair restaurant by us gringos and expats.  The restaurant used to have red chairs at their tables  for years, that is how it got the nickname "The Red Chair". The name stuck even though the red chairs didn't, so I see they have a stack of red chairs on the left of the building. I guess they know it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. lol   

We ate our favorite dishes at El Sazon Jarocho -- me shrimp cocktail and Allan his fish fillet.

This concludes another week in Paradise, I hope you enjoy the post. Another will follow soon, so until then, stay safe, stay warm and keep smiling ...The world will say --"What the heck is going on with those people, what are they so happy about??"

😀

Paradise Week # 3

November 6 to 12, 2022

We attended the market again this Sunday, as usual there were many vendors and lots of people.

There are usually several fruit and vegetable markets, it is a good time to shop for needed foods for the upcoming week.

This week there were beautifully carved wooden pieces. Some would be nice to have but for our little casa they are just to big and bulky.

Clothing vendors are plentiful, all clothing is either new or gently used. 

There is no shortage of shoes in all styles colours  and sizes.

This vendor was selling plastics such as drinking glasses, snap or screw top food containers and lots more.

Here we could buy BBQed corn on the cob, we did try it once but it didn't suit our taste although it is very popular among the locals here.

One is sure to find a pair of sunglasses here if  you need them.

There are the handyman/woman/person tables too, they have a good selection of  tools at reasonable prices.

We have walked past this family operated food vendor many times, but this day we decided to stop for lunch. These are called "GORDITAS", they originated in Northern Mexico and are a flat bread made of corn flour. The bread is cut similar to a pita bread and the pocket is filled with pulled pork. One gordita makes a good meal, actually we each only ate half of ours and brought the other half home to eat later. They are very tasty!

Doesn't that look delicious?

Later in the week we were shopping for groceries at the Chedraui  and came upon this display. Someone is rushing Christmas it would seem, but I don't think the Poinsettias are going to make it. They certainly need a drink and lots of TLC.

Rudy trimmed tree branches that hung over our pool from the neighbour's side. Although they are pretty to look at, they are a nuisance when the dead leaves drop into our pool and back patio.

The propane tank needed to be filled, at the price of .82 cents Canadian per liter  one can't complain. especially when back home it is $1.86 per liter plus the taxes. Growl Hiss!

We were back in Playa Del Carmen this week. We took the collectivo to meet up with our Canadian friends Vic and Jayne. We have been friends for many  years and although they live in Kingston, Ont, we only visit in Mexico.

We did a walk-a-bout and then stopped for lunch.

Jayne loves her salads,

while I love my shrimp tacos.

Playa still had their  "Día de los Muertos" Catrina's overseeing 5th Avenue.

Fifth Avenue was not heavy with foot traffic due to it being the early part of high season. Within a few weeks there will be a large crowd  of  people walking  this street.

Isn't this Catrina huge?

At the end of our visit we bought tickets for the ADO bus back to Puerto Morelos.

The new vanity was installed this week! Yippee! This was a project left over from last year, the hold up was getting the tile. Now our bathroom is complete. Life is good.

Until next week's post, stay happy and safe.