Posts tagged Northern Regions
Mexican Eating Habits and Their Undying Love and Talent for Spicy Food
Jan 25th
Mexico’s delicious and spicy food and love for eating are as deep and varied as it’s culture. Mexicans are proud of the country where they come from and adore to the bone their cultural heritage and certainly all Mexicans wealthy or poor, literate or illiterate enjoy food with a worshipful, almost ceremonial appetite, with the same appetite and character their ancient ancestors The Aztecs did.
Their cuisine represents a unique mixture of flavors, at times almost overpowering to the senses, but as you begin to savor each delicate spice, you realize the art and centuries that have gone into it’s creation.
Real, authentic Mexican food is different from what you would find in most Mexican restaurants in other countries. Mainstream restaurants catering mainly to tourists will tend to offer lesser quality and at a higher price. Truth is, most tourists can’t handle what the Mexicans would call bland :)
I should know, being a huge fan of spicy foods, I made the mistake of ordering the extra spicy version of chile relleno once and whew, I learned a whole new level of spicy I never knew existed, and it lasted for days :(
To break it down, Mexican cuisine is based on three national main items: tortillas, beans and chili peppers.
Tortillas
Tortillas are very traditional and a main staple in almost every dish served. They are usually made of flour but this is more commonly found in the Northern regions; the Southern regions prepare tortillas out of maize or corn, the maize is also considered the traditional ingredient for the tortillas.
Tortillas can be served alone but more commonly as bread for a meal.
When served as a meal, tortillas can be prepared in a tomato or chili sauce or they can be stuffed with different types of meat and vegetables. They can be fried to a crispy crust and served with a variety of delicious toppings from cheese and salsa to mayonnaise dressings. Another way to prepare tortillas is to stuff them with cheese, to fold them and to grill.
Beans
Beans are eaten in Mexico everywhere and can be boiled, fried, re-fried and prepared as a delicious soup . They are commonly used as a substitute for meats in the poorer regions, they can serve as meal themselves or can be a garnish for some other dishes and also they can serve as stuffing for some game birds. Beans are a great source of protein so besides being tasty they are also a very healthy.
Salsa
If you find yourself in a restaurant that does not serve salsa, chances are you are no longer in Mexico. Salsa comes in a variety of textures and flavors, but basically is a sauce made of red and green tomatoes, onion, chili and coriander served as a garnish or a dip. Be very careful with your salsa, there are many levels of spiciness, some quite intolerable to an unsuspecting tourist :) I suggest giving it a little test tasting before eating a mouthful. If you see a bunch of locals watching you just waiting for you to take the first taste, chances are, it’s the spicy stuff!
Tortas
Tortas are a type of Mexican sandwich. They are usually large rolls of bread that can be stuffed with just about anything, and I mean anything, so there is no real way to describe a typical torta. Just ask what’s inside and have fun.
Chilies
Chilies aer the calling card of Mexico, besides tequila which is always calling me, collect :)
Generally the bigger the chili the milder its taste. Big chilies are used largely in cooking; they are stuffed with rice or different meat and served as a meal.
The danger comes from the smaller chilies which are extremely hot. Typically a menu will indicate just how hot a certain chile is in a dish, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask.
If you’re like me and you like to get off the beaten path and find little out of way the local joints to eat in, then you just have to be careful and realize that your idea of hot is very different from theirs.
Guacamole
Guacamole is another staple found in almost every restaurant, it’s main ingredient is avocado mixed with onions, chilies a little lemon juice and coriander. Typically served as a side dish or an appetizer with chips and salsa.
Pipian sauce
Pipian sauce is a really unique dip made of pumpkin seeds that is served with many chicken dishes, really good and I have no idea how to make it :)
Sauces are a very important part of a Mexican meal, almost every dish comes with it’s own specific sauce.
Mexican breakfast
Mexican breakfast has all the features of the European or American breakfast. They can have bacon or ham; children can have pop corn with milk and maize porridge. They like to have a cup of coffee in the morning and later on, around 11 they have a more nourishing meal.
Traditional meals for breakfast can be Plato de Frutas which is basically a fruit salad; Huevos a la Mexican, which is scrambled eggs with a sauce of tomatoes, onion and chili; Chilaquiles which are tortillas rolled and fried with onions and chicken or any combination of the above.
If you like fish and chicken you’ll love Mexico, these are their preferred meats and both can be found in abundance and at very reasonable prices throughout.
So when in Mexico, prepare you taste buds for a wake up call and Buen Provecho!
Tamarindo Costa Rica, Former Fishing Village Turned Tourist and Surfer Haven
Jan 24th
Tamarindo is among the most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica, it’s become famous for its immaculate beaches, crystal clear blue waters, superb natural surroundings and near perfect weather.
A former fishing village in the northern regions of Guanacaste province on the North Pacific Coast, Tamarindo is the area’s most well developed tourist town with plenty of accommodations to suit every pocket. With much to enjoy and even more to do, this multi-cultural community is the ideal place to have some fun in the sun!
The beaches here are very well taken care of and the entire town has a relaxed laidback feel to it, making it the perfect place for anyone looking to have a good time. With the surfing and windsurfing conditions here near perfect for the experienced as well as novice surfers, Tamarindo is probably the most accessible beach town on the country’s entire northern Pacific Coast.
If surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, boogie boarding, horseback riding and scuba diving, isn’t quite enough to keep you busy, you can visit the nearby wildlife refuge of Diria, as well as the Marino Las Baulas National Park, where leatherback turtles come every summer to nest and breed.
The beach at Tamarindo is large enough for those who are looking to find some peace and quiet to get some. But for those who want to be where the action is, another favorite past time here is sportfishing, with record marlin, tuna and sailfish catches off the coast. For the land loving traveler, golf is a popular option at the Hacienda Pinilla, one of the finest golf courses in Central America.
It is important to keep in mind that Playa Tamarindo has strong rip currents and barely submerged rocks, so be careful swimming here. Also the estuaries to the north and south are very dangerous to cross at medium to high tide. To the south is the beautiful but upscale beach of Playa Langosta, with its excellent Bed & Breakfasts. Most of the high-end expensive hotels and B&B’s are spread out along Playa Langosta & south of Tamarindo.
The town itself is quite colorful with plenty of local Tico flavor. You can find several bakeries, an outdoor vegetable market, an art gallery, pottery stores, a beauty spa and more than 40 restaurants, bars and discos with cuisines to suit every palette. Easily accessible by bus, the best way to get to Tamarindo is to fly into the Liberia International Airport or if you are already in San Jose take the flight to Tamarindo Domestic Airport which is just outside of town.
Adventure…
For the more adventurous types of people who love this area, take an ATV tour into the hills above the town, but be sure to watch out for the iguanas that might cross your path. Kayaking is a great way to see the estuary up close and personal. Glide through the tree shaded slow moving waters as you take in the sights far from the bustle of the beach.
If you would rather avoid all of these touristy activities, you can simply rent a car or a mountain bike and spend a couple days exploring the wonders of the area on your own. You will love the tranquil pace, amazing sunsets and the picturesque beaches along the coastline.
Accommodation:
* Cala Luna Hotel And Villas – it is a tropical paradise fully equipped with modern conveniences, but also far away from the rush of tourists routes. Here the rooms are spacious and comfortable. The hotel has pleasing art in the reception area. You will have the opportunity to enjoy both the hotel pool and the nearby beach
* Capitan Suizo Hotel – it is a beachfront hotel surrounded by lush gardens and a beautiful jungle. The rooms here are decorated with natural stone floors, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant has also an open-air bar and there is also a swimming pool at the hotel.
* Tamarindo Diria Beach and golf resort – it is surrounded by tropical gardens that create a unique ambiance. The rooms are spacious and air conditioned. There are also two swimming pools at this hotel.
Things to do:
* Surfing
Surfing is the most common sport. But with a backdrop of sun, waves, hills and sand you can also exercise in other ways. What do you think of mountain biking? It’s really cool going on a bike tour and getting up close to the vegetation of the Pacific coast and also wildlife like birds, monkeys and snakes, etc.
* Snorkeling
Snorkeling is an excellent decision to experience the incredible marine life. However, the best places to snorkel are only accessible by boat, so you should take a snorkeling tour.
Here are some tips for when you are preparing to snorkel:
To try the mask, move the strap out of the way, brush your hair out of the way, and just push the mask firmly onto your face.
To keep the snorkel upright while you are swimming face down on the surface, the snorkel strap will need to be adjusted properly on the mask strap. The fins will help you to get down more quickly so that you can see more of the underwater world depending on how long you can hold your breath, you may need to equalize your ears for the deeper dives. This can be done by holding your nose closed and gently blowing against it during the descent, ask your snorkel guide to show you how.
* Fishing for Marlin and Sailfish
Sport fishing here is incredible. You can charter a boat for a half-day, or go farther offshore on a full-day trip to improve your chances of hooking up a marlin or sailfish. Like the sailing trips, all food and beverages are included on most boats.
* Volcanoes and Rain Forest Canopy Tours
The volcanoes and hot springs of Rincon de la Vieja National Park to the north are close enough for a day trip. The volcano at Arenal National Park is also within driving distance, though you may want to spend the evening there to see the nighttime eruptions and go on a line canopy tour. From October through March, you may witness the arrival of leatherback sea turtles for nesting season at Las Baulas Marine National Park.
A tropical sunset paints the sky every evening, and you can enjoy it from your room or balcony if you stay at a place with an ocean view. Then hit the town’s countless bars and clubs and discos. The Monkey Bar at Best Western is one of my favorites, but there are new ones popping up faster than mushrooms in the rain forest.
