Puerto Days

Our first week in Puerto Escondido has gone according to plan.  Walk, relax, eat, read, swim, nap, beach, sunset cocktails, dinner, sometimes music - sometimes Netflix’s, sleep, and repeat. 

Sunset From Our B&B Palapa - Is that a "Green Flash" I see?

The first few days were spent close to our Zandoyo B&B’s pool.  Puerto Escondido is at 12 degrees latitude.  This is a long way south for us and the heat takes some getting used to.  I spent the early days dripping with sweat while Deborah developed a noticeable sheen.

Most Days Are a High of 30C & a Low of 21C

Tony is our host here at the Zandoyo.  He is originally from Saltspring Island in B.C. and still owns the Saltspring Tribune newspaper there.  His wife is Mexican and they live here full time.  The B&B is only one of his business endeavours.  He also owns the Mexico News Daily.  It is an electronic newspaper that publishes all the news of Mexico in English.  It is relatively new and currently has over 300,000 subscribers.  He employs writers throughout the country to provide written factual and commentary accounts. 

Relaxing Lunch at Zicatela

The one significant change from our earlier Puerto visits is an increase in our walking.  I returned home after the last visit and had to dig deep into the closet for my fat pants.  It took a significant amount of time before I could return to my regular cloths.  We both arrived this year carrying more excess than either of us wanted after a very tasty but heavy Butter Baking Christmas season.

We are committed to walking on this trip.  We have been setting our alarm clock for 7 am and are out the door for a 6 to 7 km. walk before breakfast.  I am not an early morning person but after the first few days I am actually up before the alarm.  It is a balmy 21 degrees at that early hour and it makes for a very pleasant walk.  Fingers-crossed, we won’t gain and possibly even lose some butter weight.

Walking Around Downtown Puerto

No Excavator in Sight on this Pipeline Project.

Markets Opening on Our Morning Walks

We Think the Sign Maker Meant "In" the Cup

Deborah had a full-day outing with sister Rita.  Rita & Mike gifted her a Mexykan Cooking class for her upcoming birthday.  Their host instructor was Chef Tony.  Tony is an American born Kansas native with Mexican heritage, now living in Puerto Escondido.  He was trained in Kansas and in addition to being an expert in Mexican cuisine, he is also a bit of a chili specialist.  He has a deep knowledge of the various types of chilies used in Mexican cooking and is adept at using the Scoville Scale. The scale measures the pungency (amount of heat) a specific chili (or other spicy food) produces.

The lesson group met for breakfast at the Mercado Comida for a breakfast.

Huevos, Salsa, Black Beans for Breakfast Washed down with a Beetroot & Orange Smoothie

The actual lesson started at the local market to learn about, and purchase the ingredients for the lesson recipes.  The Puerto Mercado is typical of smaller Mexican towns and is very colourful on weekend market days.

Always Important to Keep the Flies Off!

Dried Crickets

Chef Tony

After the market the group reconvened at Chef Tony’s private home just around the corner from our B&B to prepare (and eat) the various dishes.

Salsa Verde

Fresh Tuna

Tuna Swimming in Mole

The day ended with everyone enjoying the prepared meal and a few drinks.