Another Random Picture

From the gardens at the Castillo de Bosque Chapultepec….

Can anyone identify this species of butterfly?

México, D.F.

Spaghetti Taco?

On a corner near my house, a couple sells tacos de guisado out of the back of a pickup truck.  Normally, each guisado is prepared in a tortilla with a small portion of rice.  Yesterday, however, they added spaghetti alfredo (?!?) to my chile relleno before smothering both in a light tomato sauce.  Oh my!  If I only had a camera with me….

México, D.F.

Driving the High Mexican Desert

The trip down to Oaxaca brought us through the high southern Mexican desert, a land of arid, thin soils and spectacular color contrasts.  Despite the desolation, one is never alone when there are so many cacti….

The tall cacti keep silent in the late afternoon sun.

These pictures are all taken from the toll road, highway 150, which leads from Tehuacán to Oaxaca… definitely worth a peek if you’re into desert pictures.

The road descends through the hills

…and vistas of cacti-laden valleys

…and the vast expanse.

The cacti stand in the afternoon sun.

Modern engineering crosses

…God’s Country?

México, D.F.

Taco 1000

Saturday marked the end of the great taco challenge.  Pictured below is #1000, a “Gaona con queso” from El Califa.  This spectacular steak and cheese bomb, later smothered in salsa, lime, and slices of avocado, is easily one of the best tacos to be had in the D.F. and Mexico.

Taco #1000. Although it came with a knife and fork, I assure you such implements were not necessary.

It’s always nice to accomplish something, though counting one’s way to a 1000 tacos is more of an accomplishment-in-jest (or a disgusting exercise in consumption).  Sometimes, fake goals, set in the irony of a faux-celebration, can take on a life of themselves and, often, spoil the enjoyment of an experience.  Not having to count is something to look forward to… but, in this case, the most disgusting part may be that I haven’t lost my appetite for tacos… in fact….

…nah, this morning will be oatmeal and a run.

 

México, D.F.

In Pictures: Oaxaca

A month ago, mikesnotes took a trip to Oaxaca.  Closing in on a final month in Mexico, I wanted to post a few pictures from the archives….

A view over the roofs of Oaxaca

The view from Monte Alban

Streets in the town center…

A rising moon

View over the roofs of Oaxaca

The (spectacular) cathedral dome

Parades on Ash Wednesday

 

México, D.F.

Taco Count Update: 995

Playing tour guide yesterday brought the opportunity to hop around the various taco haunts in my neighborhood.

• 3 tacos de guisado from the Chilpancingo food stalls.  The quality here can vary a bit and, on this day, none of these blew me away… though the chicken taco with french fries and grilled onions had its moment.
• 4 tacos at El Mirador, a cantina by Bosque Chapultepec… Argentine sausage, guacamole, and refried black beans on handmade tortillas.  Oh yeah!
• Lastly, 3 late-night gringas (similar to al pastor tacos with cheese) from El Tizoncito, a popular spot for high-end taco consumption in La Condesa.

The count so far: 995.

 

México, D.F.

(Yet Another) Creepy Clown

I’m not sure why, but clowns are really popular in Mexico.  (And on this blog, too, given how many people seem to search for pictures of clowns on the internet.)  On a Sunday afternoon in Xalapa, Veracruz, this one had attracted quite an audience.  

What would Octavio Paz have to say about Mexico's love of clowns?

 

México, D.F.

Taco Count Update: 985

Yesterday’s lunch dropped a 20-spot on the total taco count, with two plates of tacos al pastor from Los Arbolitos.  These little gems won’t make the top 5, but they definitely do the trick… and being bite-sized doesn’t hurt either.  The last time I went to Los Arbolitos was the day of the taco challenge, which you can read about here (or check out that excellent taco photo).

So the end (of this foolish, disgusting personal challenge) is definitely getting close!  The count so far: 985.

 

México, D.F.

In Pictures: Xalapa, Veracruz (part 2)

Yesterday’s post had a few pictures of Xalapa’s zocalo… and here are a few more taken from other spots in town.

mikesnotes has an affinity for bright colors....

El Pico de Orizaba (3rd highest peak in North America)

Art in a shop window

A really bad choice….

Historical Xalapa?

A popular shopping alley

Unnamed bridge below the zocalo

 

México, D.F.

Taco Count Update: 965

I was in a rush yesterday to get from the British Embassy (which has nice cookies) near Tabacalera to Polanco.  The journey on foot takes about 20 minutes and passes through the business district just north of Reforma and west of the park.  I had only been through here on weekends and in the evenings, when the area is pretty much deserted… but at lunchtime on a Wednesday, the changarros bloom like desert flowers after a rain.

Of course, when there are large numbers of taco stalls, competition usually results in some excellent eats.  I stopped at a stall on Calle Tolstoi (south side of the street. between Escobedo and Dante), that was really just a big flat grill affixed to a bicycle.  Appropriately, the laminated menu proclaimed the name “Bicitaco.”  The steak was so-so, though it seemed to be on par with Mexican tastes that have an affinity for fatty strips of beef, but the longaniza (a type of chorizo), was really nicely done, and, covered in cheese, it was like a little bomb of “sabor.”  What had attracted me to the stall was the pile of alambre (prepared meat, mixed with grilled onions and peppers), which I didn’t end up trying, and a row of interesting, and, as it turned out, fire-breathing salsas.  Definitely worth a return visit.

The count so far: 965.

 

México. D.F.