Finally! Waffles and Doritos in one convenient location. What took so long?
Mark-
Showing posts with label interesting scenes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interesting scenes. Show all posts
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Packing Mescal
I was invited by friend and fellow Mexican homebrewer Barry to go on a little road trip the other day. A 90 mile excursion north to the 'Valley of the Kings' near the city of San Luis Potosi located in the Free and Sovereign State of San Luis Potosi. Our goal? Cheap but delicious mezcal.
Barry drove us North East for most of the ninety miles through the wide open spaces of the high desert. Vast expanses of beautiful Mexican countryside flew past us as he swerved around the slow moving farm tractors and autobuses until we reach a rugged unpaved road off the highway leading us to the mescaleria slash dairy farm. A couple of farm hands (possibly armed guards) removed the padlock from the chained gate allowing us to enter. They didn't question our motives, our thirst for alcohol obviously evident on our parched faces.
Another couple hundred yards of driveway and we came to an adobe building as old as the hills and the same color with the exception of the printed sign claiming to be the "Fabrica de Mezcal San Francisco". The excitement was building as we entered the compound. Nobody was around and I took the opportunity to get a couple of photographs of the antique machinery. This was at one time a large scale operation judging by the enormous grinding wheel and press used to process the agave pina for it's sugars, but most of this equipment obviously hadn't been used in many years.
You may ask what the difference is between mescal and tequila? Mainly, in any product distilled from the maguey, it's the type of plant. There are numerous plants that fall into this family. The blue agave that grows within the state of Jalisco is considered and sanctioned by Mexico as 'True' tequila. But, generally speaking, it can be considered tequila if it is produced using only the blue agave plant no matter the region. Mescal (spelled with a z in Spanish) can be made with a variety of plants and raicilla is made with an entirely different plant. In other words, the plant type is the main difference.
It wasn't long before a farmhand met us and then disappeared through a pair of ancient wooden doors into the darkness of the earthen building. The new equipment somewhere deep within was kept hidden from prying eyes, like mine. We were not allowed into the facility to see their operation and I was disappointed about this but it didn't stop me from shoving my camera into the doorway to get of shot of a wooden barrel used for aging the mescal. I could also see our attendant pouring mescal through a funnel from large plastic drums into our smaller containers. But, that was about it.
He brought the filled containers back out and we paid the 35 peso per liter fee and thanked him for his efforts. 35 pesos by the way, at today's rate, is the equivalent of about $2.50 a liter. For good home distilled mescal, that's an amazing cost. I was anxious to sample some and just outside I took a sip from my bottle. Smooth and dry with a mild smokey flavor. In the wrong hands (mine) I could tell this could get you into trouble. Easy to drink and flavorful with none of the burn or bite in the back of the throat. Barry suggested it be drunk chilled with lime. I'll be taking his suggestion very soon. This is a lot different than the mescal I brought back from the Palomas Mensajeras distillery in Patzcuaro a couple of years ago. It is far less smokey and judging from the taste and burn I'd say it has a lower percentage of alcohol too but I can't determine that at this time.As we posed for a picture outside I experienced a bit a container envy as I held one of my two 600 milliliter water bottles and compared it to Barry's five (count them 5) full gallon jugs set at our feet.
But, I was preparing to leave San Miguel in a few days and I needed to consider how much I could pack into my checked baggage. I hear you're only allowed 2 liters of alcohol at the most. I've also got some raicilla and a bottle of tequila infused beer that needed to be packed, so this was the most mescal I dared take.
I'm excited to share this mescal with my homebrew club when I return to Santa Cruz and maybe do a taste comparison with the raicilla but for now I need to get busy, I've got a few homebrews to drink before we leave San Miguel. Cheers!
-Mark
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| The wheel that crushed the agave |
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| Secret door to the mezcal |
Another couple hundred yards of driveway and we came to an adobe building as old as the hills and the same color with the exception of the printed sign claiming to be the "Fabrica de Mezcal San Francisco". The excitement was building as we entered the compound. Nobody was around and I took the opportunity to get a couple of photographs of the antique machinery. This was at one time a large scale operation judging by the enormous grinding wheel and press used to process the agave pina for it's sugars, but most of this equipment obviously hadn't been used in many years.
You may ask what the difference is between mescal and tequila? Mainly, in any product distilled from the maguey, it's the type of plant. There are numerous plants that fall into this family. The blue agave that grows within the state of Jalisco is considered and sanctioned by Mexico as 'True' tequila. But, generally speaking, it can be considered tequila if it is produced using only the blue agave plant no matter the region. Mescal (spelled with a z in Spanish) can be made with a variety of plants and raicilla is made with an entirely different plant. In other words, the plant type is the main difference.
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| Barrels of fun |
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| Plasticos de mezcal |
He brought the filled containers back out and we paid the 35 peso per liter fee and thanked him for his efforts. 35 pesos by the way, at today's rate, is the equivalent of about $2.50 a liter. For good home distilled mescal, that's an amazing cost. I was anxious to sample some and just outside I took a sip from my bottle. Smooth and dry with a mild smokey flavor. In the wrong hands (mine) I could tell this could get you into trouble. Easy to drink and flavorful with none of the burn or bite in the back of the throat. Barry suggested it be drunk chilled with lime. I'll be taking his suggestion very soon. This is a lot different than the mescal I brought back from the Palomas Mensajeras distillery in Patzcuaro a couple of years ago. It is far less smokey and judging from the taste and burn I'd say it has a lower percentage of alcohol too but I can't determine that at this time.As we posed for a picture outside I experienced a bit a container envy as I held one of my two 600 milliliter water bottles and compared it to Barry's five (count them 5) full gallon jugs set at our feet.
 |
| Packing for home |
But, I was preparing to leave San Miguel in a few days and I needed to consider how much I could pack into my checked baggage. I hear you're only allowed 2 liters of alcohol at the most. I've also got some raicilla and a bottle of tequila infused beer that needed to be packed, so this was the most mescal I dared take.
I'm excited to share this mescal with my homebrew club when I return to Santa Cruz and maybe do a taste comparison with the raicilla but for now I need to get busy, I've got a few homebrews to drink before we leave San Miguel. Cheers!
-Mark
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Pages From Mark's Journal
O.K. I get it. Writing is hard. Sometimes you're just not inspired even when immersed in a unique and exciting culture like here in San Miquel, where anything can happen. What to do? You could dig deep into your psyche and dredge up a little creative poetry that captures the essence of a moment or that tells a story about your Mexican experience. Some creative writing that inspires, repels or just plane lays out the truth of the matter.
That's one option, or as some (who shall remain nameless Susan) might do, you could simply take the easy way out and post a few drawings of the local scenes that you've captured over the weeks. Maybe add a caption below each with a single sentence that sums up the poignant moment.
Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander as they say so I submit in like manner these drawings that I hope will accurately convey my recent activities here in the Corazon de Mexico.
- Posted by Mark
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| Getting ready to throw a treat to the landlords dog below our balcony. Maybe he'll stop barking. |
That's one option, or as some (who shall remain nameless Susan) might do, you could simply take the easy way out and post a few drawings of the local scenes that you've captured over the weeks. Maybe add a caption below each with a single sentence that sums up the poignant moment.
 |
| Just as I was about to enjoy a cup of coffee at Juan's Cafe, an elderly man begins to explain to his hard of hearing friend, the complications of his recent colonoscopy. Evidently, there was some sort of vein perforation involved. "Who's hungry for breakfast?" |
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| While walking the path at the Charco desert park we came upon what appeared to be some kind of strange fox/racoon half breed. Oh yeah, and a bird. |
Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander as they say so I submit in like manner these drawings that I hope will accurately convey my recent activities here in the Corazon de Mexico.
- Posted by Mark
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Shocking Views Of San Miguel
Walking the warm and dusty sidewalk into town on the Ancha de San Antonio one day, I noticed an odd feature on a telephone pole that was planted in my way. About eight feet off the ground was an electrical outlet that was wired and taped to the pole.
I speculated as to its use while my eyes traced the connecting wires. They led up the pole and were twisted into place on the power line high above. I suspected that in the evening a street vendor or food cart of some sort plugs into it to illuminate his food or power the portable T.V. for clients to watch as they munch on 6 peso tacos. The interesting thing that I further considered was that at some point, someone with an extension ladder made the hasty connection, tightly wrapping the stripped wires around the 'hot' leads above insuring a good contact before strapping the outlet in place. I actually liked the idea that someone took the initiative to do this. I also smiled, realizing that nobody of any civic authority cares that it's there.
This is not the first time I've seen this kind of guerrilla electrical commandeering. Last time here, I recall standing upstairs at the neighborhood pizza parlor sipping on a beer while I waited on my food. I stepped out to the balcony and watched the street scene below. As I gazed down through the telephone wires that hung limply across my view, I noticed a white lamp cord with its insulation stripped on the end. The exposed wires twisted into place within arms reach of where I stood. I followed the path of the wires which led back into the cool room. It sagged against the painted stucco wall, tacked every yard or so with a bent nail. Eventually it ended at an electrical box that was screwed to a dark stained shelf and was providing power for a 1980's television. It was showing an old episode of The Simpson's dubbed in Spanish. This too made me smile.
Apparently, it's open season on stealing electrical power in this town. But, these two examples of Mexican ingenuity have sidetracked me from the original subject of this post which is the importance of aesthetics (or lack there of) here compared to where I live in the U.S. The emphasis here is placed on efficacy much more so then appearance. And although this idea of efficiency over beauty applies to most things, because I'm a handyman, I notice it more in regards to the building trades. The plumbing, electrical, and construction in general. If the switch to the lights works, who cares if it's being pushed out of the wall by a fist full of corroded wires. If you've got water to the sink, then it doesn't matter that the copper supply line is soldered into the shape of a double helix and pressed to the wall with a hollowed out root ball. I am in no way wanting to sound critical here. It's different than what I'm use to and although I constantly have the urge to correct it, this is just the way it's done here and I respect that. It's my problem that I want to change it. This I have to learn to accept, and it's easier to do when I consider that none of it is mine.
Posted by Mark
Here again is my installment (#4) of video taken from a rooftop. This is looking down on Calle Pila Seca from the roof of the Lifepath Retreats complex.
rooftop video of pila seca
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| Oh no, it's not grounded! |
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| Just out of reach |
I speculated as to its use while my eyes traced the connecting wires. They led up the pole and were twisted into place on the power line high above. I suspected that in the evening a street vendor or food cart of some sort plugs into it to illuminate his food or power the portable T.V. for clients to watch as they munch on 6 peso tacos. The interesting thing that I further considered was that at some point, someone with an extension ladder made the hasty connection, tightly wrapping the stripped wires around the 'hot' leads above insuring a good contact before strapping the outlet in place. I actually liked the idea that someone took the initiative to do this. I also smiled, realizing that nobody of any civic authority cares that it's there.
 |
| A view from out roof. I think that's our tapped in power line in the middle. |
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| Lamp cord run through conduit |
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| Bulging switch without cover |
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| Oh what a tangled web we weave |
Apparently, it's open season on stealing electrical power in this town. But, these two examples of Mexican ingenuity have sidetracked me from the original subject of this post which is the importance of aesthetics (or lack there of) here compared to where I live in the U.S. The emphasis here is placed on efficacy much more so then appearance. And although this idea of efficiency over beauty applies to most things, because I'm a handyman, I notice it more in regards to the building trades. The plumbing, electrical, and construction in general. If the switch to the lights works, who cares if it's being pushed out of the wall by a fist full of corroded wires. If you've got water to the sink, then it doesn't matter that the copper supply line is soldered into the shape of a double helix and pressed to the wall with a hollowed out root ball. I am in no way wanting to sound critical here. It's different than what I'm use to and although I constantly have the urge to correct it, this is just the way it's done here and I respect that. It's my problem that I want to change it. This I have to learn to accept, and it's easier to do when I consider that none of it is mine.
Posted by Mark
Here again is my installment (#4) of video taken from a rooftop. This is looking down on Calle Pila Seca from the roof of the Lifepath Retreats complex.
rooftop video of pila seca
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