(Something that is floating around the internet.)
FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Are the reason you have food.
. . .
FRIENDS: Will say 'hello.'
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.
. . .
FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Call your parents mom and dad.
. . .
FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Cry with you.
. . .
FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together and then take a plate to go.
. . .
FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.
. . ..
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
. . .
FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' ass that left you.
. . .
FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'Hey, I'm here!'
. . .
FRIENDS: Are for a while.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Are for life.
. . .
FRIENDS: Pretend it is OK when you are being a pest.
MEXICAN FRIENDS: Tell you, 'ay, como chingas !!!! (Kind of like, “Enough already! Quit whinning!!!!”)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Getting Past the Price of Golf
The local private golf course wants close to $35 USD to use their driving range. Outrageous! It is only $15 more (weekdays after 2:00 PM) to play nine holes including your caddy. (Caddies are not optional, they are required.) So Eric came up with a solution; he made his own driving range. (It helps when your family has a big ranch.) And it is less than a mile from our house.His plans for upgrading our new venue include having his mother sew flags for the range markers and moving his airstream trailer to the site, to serve as a clubhouse. His family is now producing grapes and making wine on the ranch so homemade wine will be available at the clubhouse.
So bye-bye expensive private club range. (However we’ll still need to go to the club in order to play an actual round of golf.)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Return to San Luis Potosi
This weekend we decided to get away for a night and visit our friend Victor in San Luis Potosi.
According to Victor, people in San Luis are all about the food. Given such, there are numerous restaurants with varying cuisines. So for you visitors, when you're tired of Mexican food, I cannot recommend highly enough the Oriental Grill. The menu is a delightful combination of Thai, Japanese and Chinese dishes.
After our sumptuous dinner we went to a bar called "Sheik" (which the Mexicans pronounce "Shake"). I went to the bar to get drinks for Rod and I. While there a boy who looked about 18 years old kept making eye contact with me. I simply nodded and took our drinks upstairs. A few minutes later Rod excused himself to go to the restroom. Immediately the young man approached me and struck up a conversation. When Rod returned Victor told him that he’d better keep an eye on his man because he’s the only gringo in the bar and the boys are circling. “It’s ok, “Rod said, “It’s good for his self esteem.” (Bless him.)
After Sheik we went to my favorite bar in San Luis, El Greko. The photos below will probably explain why it is my favorite.
According to Victor, people in San Luis are all about the food. Given such, there are numerous restaurants with varying cuisines. So for you visitors, when you're tired of Mexican food, I cannot recommend highly enough the Oriental Grill. The menu is a delightful combination of Thai, Japanese and Chinese dishes.
After our sumptuous dinner we went to a bar called "Sheik" (which the Mexicans pronounce "Shake"). I went to the bar to get drinks for Rod and I. While there a boy who looked about 18 years old kept making eye contact with me. I simply nodded and took our drinks upstairs. A few minutes later Rod excused himself to go to the restroom. Immediately the young man approached me and struck up a conversation. When Rod returned Victor told him that he’d better keep an eye on his man because he’s the only gringo in the bar and the boys are circling. “It’s ok, “Rod said, “It’s good for his self esteem.” (Bless him.)
After Sheik we went to my favorite bar in San Luis, El Greko. The photos below will probably explain why it is my favorite.
Hugo, Victor and Rod (after a few cocktails).
Me (after a cocktail or two) with a few of our waiters.
Some Random Photos
Night shot of the Parroquia from Alex's mother's rooftop.
Patti, Karen, Bob and Pao on Alex's mother's rooftop, after an amazing meal at THE Restaurant at Sollano #16
The recently engaged Marianna & Karl in Bob & Karen's Sala.
Cynthia and I in Bob & Karen's entryway.
Our rescue dog Evita, waiting for someone to pet her.Friday, July 18, 2008
Tokens
Rod and I seem to be the token diversity couple in town. This was a from a shoot for a new website to be released some time in the future.Chilango Prices
First a little background. A “chilango” is what Mexicans call a person from Mexico City. Originally it held a rather derogatory implication relating to behavior (i.e., how a person drives, the way they treat wait staff or how they generally behave in public like they are better than other people). Now it is a matter of context. As I refer to myself as a “gringo” another may refer to himself as a “chilango”, and the expression can be playful between friends. However, “F’n gringo!” or “F’n chilango!” take the expression back to its roots.
Second, many books will tell you that there are two prices in Mexico; the Mexican price and the gringo price (the gringo price, of course, always being the higher of the two). This doesn’t apply to restaurants or department stores where prices are labeled, but can apply to services rendered or in a Mercado (Market). Instructions to gringos in these same books, say to buck-up and pay the higher price. After all, it is not that much higher and they need it.
The other day I parked at my favorite downtown parking lot. I’m a regular at this lot, probably at least once or twice a week. After running my errands I was waiting to pay with a 10 peso coin in my hand. As I was waiting a chilango gentleman (we can spot them immediately from their license plates) approached the attendant for his ticket. When the attendant handed him the ticket, the chilango asked the price per hour. The attendant pointed out the rate on the ticket at 15 pesos per hour. (I was surprised. I’ve never paid more than 10 pesos an hour.) The chilango nodded and walked toward the exit. The attendant kept me waiting as he watched the chilango walk away and then he silently nodded to the coin in my hand. I was charged LESS than a Mexican!
We’re not talking a lot of money here, but I was elated. Clearly, to some, loyalty overrides race or locals get preference over tourists. Whatever the case, little gestures like this make San Miguel feel more and more like home.
Second, many books will tell you that there are two prices in Mexico; the Mexican price and the gringo price (the gringo price, of course, always being the higher of the two). This doesn’t apply to restaurants or department stores where prices are labeled, but can apply to services rendered or in a Mercado (Market). Instructions to gringos in these same books, say to buck-up and pay the higher price. After all, it is not that much higher and they need it.
The other day I parked at my favorite downtown parking lot. I’m a regular at this lot, probably at least once or twice a week. After running my errands I was waiting to pay with a 10 peso coin in my hand. As I was waiting a chilango gentleman (we can spot them immediately from their license plates) approached the attendant for his ticket. When the attendant handed him the ticket, the chilango asked the price per hour. The attendant pointed out the rate on the ticket at 15 pesos per hour. (I was surprised. I’ve never paid more than 10 pesos an hour.) The chilango nodded and walked toward the exit. The attendant kept me waiting as he watched the chilango walk away and then he silently nodded to the coin in my hand. I was charged LESS than a Mexican!
We’re not talking a lot of money here, but I was elated. Clearly, to some, loyalty overrides race or locals get preference over tourists. Whatever the case, little gestures like this make San Miguel feel more and more like home.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Tequisquiapan
The city of Tequisquiapan is about an hour and a half drive from San Miguel de Allende. Every year I’ve heard about their annual wine and cheese festival.“I want to go,” said our friend Paola, “Let’s go tomorrow.”
“Somehow I don’t think an afternoon of drinking wine and eating cheese and then driving back is such a great idea,” I said.
“I’ll hire a driver,” she said; and did.
The next day Alex, Rodrigo, Pao and I pilled into Pao’s car with a quiet, competent driver at the helm. The ride there took a little longer because we had to stop at Pao’s apartment in Queretaro so that Pao could change shoes.
I liked the Tequisquiapan immediately. The narrow streets and architecture had a very European feel. People were well dressed and the town was very clean.
The festival was held in a big tent in the park, just steps from the town square. It felt kind of like a mini Oktoberfest except with wine instead of beer. And being from California I found the variety of wines offered to be very lacking. So I settled for buying a cheese and meat plate and a magnum of champagne. We pulled up stools around a wine barrel, visited with Pao’s co-workers who had joined us, and listened to the band.
“There’s Tory,” said Rod.
I’d wanted Tory, our architect, to meet Pao since she purchased some land a couple of years ago and eventually wants to start building. I’ve been very happy with Tory’s work, and as a tall, strapping young man, he is very easy on the eyes. I flagged him down and he came over to our barrel. Tapping Pao on the shoulder I said, “Pao, I’d like you to meet out architect Tory. Tory, this is Paola.”
Pao turned around and looked up at Tory. Extending a limp hand her eyes got big and her mouth dropped just a little too open. It took an awkward second for her to spit out, “Nice to meet you.”
We exchanged some pleasantries and a soft agreement to schedule something in the future where they could sit down and talk. As Tory walked away I turned to Pao. “Wipe the corners of your mouth Pao. You’re drooling.”
After we’d polished off the champagne we strolled into the center of town and found what is probably the best restaurant Tequisquiapan has to offer. And in honor of the festival, they just so happened to be offering a five course wine pairing dinner. The food was passable at worst and some courses were really wonderful. The same was true of the wine, and all for 350 pesos per person; a real bargain. Throughout the meal a Spaniard presented each wine and discussed its qualities and how it was best paired with the food.The atmosphere was so upscale, as one expects from a wine pairing dinner, that I was surprised when one of the owners (a woman probably in her late 50’s) asked if she could have one of my cigarettes. The whole table stifled smiles as I said “Claro” (of course), but then we had to stifle our laughter as she proceeded to serve us our next course with a plate in one hand and the lit cigarette in the other. (So much for upscale.)
The driver proved to be a God-send as minutes after we got into the car, we were all asleep.
The next weekend Rod and I returned for lunch and some light shopping. We also went to the monument for the geographical center of Mexico. Rather unimpressive given some of the monuments that I’ve seen in Mexico. But at least we can say that we’ve been there.
In short, I’d say that Tequisquiapan is a nice place to visit. There is not a lot going on and one probably needs to bring one’s own party to have a good time. The town is known for its thermal waters and spa’s which we have yet to experience. But I think they have a golf course so we’ll probably be back.Tuesday, July 01, 2008
English Language
After volunteer teaching English for a year, I found this little internet piece very on-point:
Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an end? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.
P.S. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick'?
Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an end? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.
P.S. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick'?
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