This is a common greeting used in restaurants in Mexico. Think “Bon Appetit”! Wait staff often will say this when they deliver your meal, and it is also customary for diners entering or exiting the restaurant to say it to you as they pass by your table.
So it seems a fitting title for today’s blog about one of my favorite things…food! The food on the Baja is outstanding, whether you are looking for a fine dining experience or a good old taco stand. I would like to feature one of my favorites in today’s blog, Burritos La Palma.
Nestled at the foothills of a curvy mountain road between San Jose del Cabo and Las Barillas, Burritos La Palma is an experience in local Mexican fare. Chilaquiles (maybe best description is breakfast nachos), tamales, burritos, empanadas, all homemade and authentic. There is a woodfire for brewing coffee, simmering pazole and menuedo (Mexican soups) in huge pots, and cooking fresh tortillas.
While the food is the star at Burritos La Palma, the service and atmosphere are a close second! We look forward to visiting on Sunday mornings to enjoy an excellent breakfast that lasts us all day, usually taking leftovers home. But we also enjoy the company. Despite often being the only gringos in the place, we are welcomed and enjoy conversation with the waitstaff and other diners. This has become a fun place to practice “Spanglish”, as some of them are practicing English and I am always looking for an opportunity to practice Español. And of course, it is always a bonus when the staff knows your order, by now asking “Same?” every Sunday. We often enjoy a second cup of coffee, (orange Fanta for Todd) just visiting and soaking up the atmosphere.
If you find yourself in the area, please do check out this local gem. You will be glad you did, and let me wish you “provecho” (enjoy your meal) in advance!
Love the staff here!Beautiful cactus behind the restaurant.Best tortillas made fresh!
El Dia de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, was celebrated in San Jose del Cabo this weekend. Beginning with tours of the cemetery on November 1 through the parade of the Katrinas on the evening of November 2, this holiday is rooted in strong tradition and respect for those who have passed from this world. So much work is done in the cemetery as the families utilize this day to clean, decorate, and often play music at the alters of their loved ones who have passed. The second day has a more festive air, with parades and celebrations in the city center.
There are colorful altars throughout the town, displaying the ofrendas adorned with photos and memories of loved ones. It is a true celebration of life and has its roots in the traditions of Aztec and Spanish Catholic cultures. Adding to the splendor of this celebration are calaveras (decorative skulls) and marigold flowers, which are believed to guide the spirits with their fragrance and bright color.
While El Dia de Muertos is not widely celebrated in the United States, as we become a more global society, the blending of traditions of various cultures is inevitable. We now recognize holidays that we did not in the past and demonstrate respect to those who have always celebrated them. As a former school administrator, I personally have observed public school art teachers who were teaching about El Dia de Muertos, and the beauty that lies within this colorful holiday. Students were excited to learn more!
So while Coco remains one of my favorite Disney movies, there is still nothing like experiencing El Dia de Muertos in person in Mexico!
One of my favorite water sports is snorkeling. I have been fortunate to snorkel in Mexico, Bora Bora, and Hawaii. So far, I haven’t taken the steps to become a SCUBA diver, but there is still time! The beauty that lies beneath the ocean’s surface is exquisite.
This week we snorkeled Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park. This contains the oldest living reef in North America and is also home to sea turtles, whale sharks, dolphins, and manta rays. We were blessed to experience the beauty of the coral, in addition to sea turtles, sea lions, and varieties of fish. We watched a school of silver fish spiral in a tornado-like manner, reminiscent of a synchronized swimming show.
Cabo Pulmo is a small village and there are several choices of water sports vendors. I personally recommend Cabo Pulmo Eco Adventures. We have gone out with them twice now, and both times had an amazing snorkeling experience. Caesar was our guide for both trips, and he is professional, personable, and was willing to tailor the trip to our wishes.
Even though Caesar and his team provide you with snacks, you will likely want to check out the restaurant Tacos and Beer across from Eco Adventures after your snorkeling adventure. They serve, well, tacos and beer, but also other menu items.
This has been one of our favorite day trips for two years running. Can’t wait to make it three!
Hola! It’s been a while since I have added a post to the Part-time Expat blog. No traveling this summer due to la boda de mi hija (my daughter’s wedding), but it has been a wonderful summer leading up to a celebration day of love, good friends, and family. And of course, she was a beautiful bride!
Now that the festivities are over, we are back in Cabo. We often spend the early part of September here, but this year we came a little later. As a bonus, that’s when the butterflies arrive!
It is hard to describe and even harder to photograph how beautiful these massive hordes of butterflies are. We see constant flocks of them flying around, mostly in the morning. These are not the Monarchs, which migrate to Central Mexico, but the Cloudless Sulphers, also known as Phoebis sennae, or as I prefer, “little yellow” butterflies! Apparently, they migrate south during the rainy season due to changes in the vegetation. They travel from the mountains in search of warmer climates. Just one more layer to the beauty of San Jose del Cabo!
While we have seen many butterflies, not necessarily the same is true of travelers. This is the low season for travel in Cabo, and some of our favorite restaurants and stores are closed this month for vacations. That’s fine; there is just a little different vibe here right now, and we all know that the cold weather up north will bring the snowbirds flying down here soon! In the meantime, I plan to do some snorkeling (this might be the next blog post topic) and relax on my porch enjoying the beaches and butterflies!
I have found that this phrase, “First time in Cabo?” is a frequent one spoken by the locals in the service professions. I have been asked this by countless cab drivers, time share salespeople, and shop keepers throughout the years. Guess I still do not look like a local!
I’m sure that this is a common ice breaker around the world. As I have moved from answering, “Yes”, to “First visit in a long time”, to “I live here part time,” I have witnessed various reactions. The first two answers elicit recommendations for restaurants, the best beaches, and discounts for tours. Once you say you live here part time, the timeshare salespeople walk away in search of new potential clients, and most others do not share their recommendations. So I started asking!
There is no better way to get to know a new place than to talk to the locals. And I think that when you share that you are in their home year-round, or even part time, like us, you get some recommendations beyond the tourist traps. This requires some stepping out of my comfort zone. If you haven’t read before, I was a shy kid and remain an introvert (as they call us now!) so I struggle to initiate conversation. Throw in a language barrier, and I am even more reluctant to engage. But I continue to force myself for three reasons: 1. The benefits far outweigh the risks. I have learned so much about our new home by talking with local people. 2. This is the best way to practice and continue to learn Spanish. 3. Casual conversation is much more expected in Mexico than in the US. The people are friendly and assume that you will exchange the occasional “buenos dias” and “como esta? “ It is also customary to wish strangers “provecho” (enjoy your meal) when passing by their table in a restaurant. These are just a few of the customs I have noted, and I have much to learn. So, “First time in Cabo?” “No, but more importantly, it won’t be my last”!
