(Above: Shortly after being badgered by a Mexican woman to marry her for 200,000 pesos and the ridiculous conversation which it entailed, I ventured beyond the Cristo along the same route that I took in the Collectivo a few days ago. This is a view of the vale on the other side of the mountain.)
Weather: Today began in the low 50s and proceeded to warm into the mid 80s.
Morning walk & sweep:
Dawn of 4/11/2022 in the Taxco Zócalo.
While sweeping this morning, I saw that the arugula I planted on April 8th had already begun to sprout.
Breakfast at Scaffecito – Finished ‘Silver Gringo’ while enjoying coffee and fruit:
Breakfast: Fruit (banana cantaloupe, papaya, and pineapple topped with fresh mint) accompanied by coffee, seltzer, and a book which I proceeded to finish. (The Silver Gringo Book by Joan Mark)
The afternoon amble:
After a leisurely morning of sweeping and quiet bit of left-over-lunch and writing in the early noon hours, I decided to go on a walk around 4:30 PM. I found this little shrine on my way up to Cristo.
A view of the mountains from the Alpine forest just below Cristo.
Shortly after being badgered by a Mexican woman to marry her for 200,000 pesos and the ridiculous conversation which it entailed (will include some below), I ventured beyond the Cristo along the same route that I took in the Collectivo (mini-bus system in Taxco) the other day. This is a view of the vale on the other side of the mountain.
This view came from when I returned to the usual side of the mountain.
Dinner at La Hacienda – Superb presentation and experience; flavors good but not vibrant – 8/10
The first dish served at La Hacienda restaurant was made right at the table and consisted of a Molcajete-mashed salsa made by Waiter Manuel. Through… Manuel labor… I got to see these ingredients combined into a cohesive mixture (in this order): 2 stinkbugs, 1 clove roasted garlic, 1 piece of serrano pepper, 1 roasted tomato, and some salt.
I enjoyed the salsa quite a lot, but I feel it probably would have been better without the faint stinkbug flavor. Still, it was a simple recipe that I can easily remember.
Sopa Azteca. It was brought to the table as two different dishes which Manuel proceeded to join together: an arrangement of crispy colored tortillas, dried chili, avocado, & cream AND a little pitcher of broth containing tomato, garlic, onion, & chile de árbol. It bore good flavor, but not so much as some of the other Sopa Aztecas that I have enjoyed.
El Cielo Rojo – a mixed drink containing Jamaica (hibiscus flower), Mezcal, and Lime. It was my first time having Mezcal, and I enjoyed it quite a lot. It was almost akin to tequila but more spicy. On looking it up today (4/12/2022), Tequila is apparently a type of mezcal, which would describe the similarity in flavor.
Chile con costra hojaldrada: a stuffed poblano pepper containing rice, chicken, and pineapple in a sweet almond & blue cheese sauce. Served with a bowl of rice.
The meal was very ‘rico’ and actually almost too sweet for me. Still, the flavor was excellent, and after a day of not-too-much-eating, it was truly satiating.
Exploring the first (second?) evening of Semana Santa:
A little 3-peso doughnut procured from a very busy and very happy vendor. It was surprisingly un-sweet, and the cream therein was comprised mostly of a light tapioca pudding.
Gathering at the Zócalo [4/12/2022].
On taking a picture from higher up, I found the entire scene shrouded in censer smoke. (There were a number of robed women bearing balls of smoking inscence on chains that they would swing every few steps).
Final Note: A quote from my 1-4 about today’s special conversation held at Cristo.
I ventured to Cristo where there was a woman and her family or friends who asked me on my arrival: “Está cansado?”
I said, in a questioning tone, “No?”
To this the woman promptly replied gleefully, “Ah, él no teine una mujer! Cásate conmigo!”
I was confused, to say the least, and it was translated for me by her friend that she wanted to marry me for 200,000 pesos because she wanted to be legal in the United States. I had paid for the bathroom, so I said, “Ai, Yo necessito usar él baño!” On coming back out, I quickly told her “Gracias, pero no.” And I told her English-literate friend that I really had no idea how the legalization / marriage system worked. The guy nearby said, “She just wants to be your wife!” To which I shrugged somewhat sheepishly before stating, “Hago exercisio orita, no, pero graciasA question struck me on my way around the mountain, though: “Why did she want to go to the United States?” I should have asked, but the conversation was so out of my usual realm of topics (and comfort) that I did not.
1 thought on “4/11/2022 – Taxco, Day 14 – Another Culture”
Padre
Quite a day, sounds like Jacob was as close as every to having a wife. Your Mexican adventure sure takes some interesting turns, thanks for sharing them.
Quite a day, sounds like Jacob was as close as every to having a wife. Your Mexican adventure sure takes some interesting turns, thanks for sharing them.