February 17 - Day 17

I went to bed quite late and didn't feel like getting up this morning. I checked the clock a couple of times, but I finally got up around 8:30 a.m. It was so chilly all night, I finally got up and turned off the air conditioning.

Joyeria
I bopped into the local jewelry store again this morning because my mom wanted me to buy her some things. Their prices are unbelievable. My bill was $290 Pesos this time and I gave her $300 Pesos, but she couldn't understand when I told her that she owed me $10 Pesos. I think she totally forgot because she put the jewelry in the bag. I think she was very embarrassed because I wrote it on a piece of paper for her and then she understood.

Breakfast
Garden of Eating
I wanted to check out this new restaurant that's owned by a woman from Toronto who is a film and production designer. She owned property in Playa and rather than sell it to a condo developer, she decided to open up an Indian/Thai themed restaurant.

It is very similar to La Cueva Del Chango in atmosphere. It's very cute. It's located on Calle 20 between Avenida 10 and 15.

I ordered a Chai Shake, which was delicious and Huevos Rancheros. The waiter brought me an order of toast, which I didn't know it came with. The bread was two different colors and it was a thick grainy type of bread and it was lightly toasted. It was so delicious with Mantaquilla and Fresa marmaleda. I could have just eaten that, which I practically did. The Huevos Rancheros were not as good as La Cueva Del Chango's, but this place is definitely worth a visit for the shake and the toast. I was told that the bread was homemade, but they didn't understand to tell me what kind it was.

La Playa
I wanted to walk the beach after that big meal!

Rebecca and Saul
As I was walking to the beach, Saul noticed me and called me over. They were eating breakfast at Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe. They are the couple from Toronto who I met at the Pet Shelter. They were out looking for jobs for the past few days.

They volunteered at the Pet Shelter again, and a new dog just arrived while they were there, and it started delivering puppies, so they all got to watch. Now, that woudl have been cool!

I was telling Rebecca and Saul about my idea for the Sangria Bar and they said we should do it together because Saul is originally from Mexico, so he has the advantage, plus they are living here full-time. That would be so cool!

Exercise
Now I really did get to the beach so that I could walk. I walked from the Blue Parrot to the Ferry Dock and back up to 5th Avenue.

A client called me when I was just getting off the beach, and it was so windy, it was hard to hear.

I headed back to the condo because I wanted to check my e-mails.

Joyeria
I stopped in again because I'm having dinner with Annemarie tomorrow night and I wanted to get her a little something. They just put out all new stuff and they were still putting out more! I bought two more bracelets and this time the lady remembered my change! I actually said that, and she was embarrassed that I remembered. I think they like it when I come in. There are usually ladies working there, but there was a young guy bringing in all of the new stuff and he told me that I'm always welcome.

E-mail
The Internet was working and I just quickly checked on a few things, and then I was off again!

Market
I walked around again for more exercise. It was a little breezier today, so not so brutal. I walked to Juarez where the market is because Rebecca and Saul thought that today was the last day, but it's Sunday.

It was the usual stuff, but it was nice to look. There was a real pretty top for only $10 U.S.

I forgot to bring something to drink with me, so I stopped at a small store.

5th Avenue
Back to 5th Avenue looking around some more. On the way back, I walked up Calle 2 and checked out this restaurant that I saw on Valentine's Day. It's very local, and on Valentine's Dayy, they had piles of crab legs and it smelled like garlic butter.....yum! I definitely could not be around all of that seafood, but as I was checking it out today, a young, hippy looking guy waved me in and told me about the place and the food. He was with his girlfriend and the food looked good. I told him that I wanted to go back and shower first.

Restaurant Marquech
I walked back to the restaurant, which is just down the street from the collectivo station. I handed the waiter/owner my little allergy note to ensure that I didn't eat anything with peanuts or seafood/fish. Even though I know those words in Espanol, I needed to make sure that they weren't still in the items.

The guy recommended the Chicken with Green Mole sauce (which does not have peanuts in it like the traditional brown Mole sauce). You get a beverage, soup, tortillas (about 30) and your entree' all for $50 Pesos. The drink was huge too!

I looked a little like a fish out of water, but I didn't really care. It was a nice experience. A very ragged woman kept walking by, and I tried to get her attention because I think she was hungry. I was going to give her the tortillas that I already wrapped and put in my purse for the dogs. (Wait until the owner thinks that I ate all those tortillas! LOL)

I had a delicious meal for around $3.70. Beat that, Rachael Ray!

Calling Home
I went to an Internet Cafe on 10th to call my mom and check in, but no one was home.

5th Avenue
I strolled 5th Avenue again (as if that is a surprise!). Every now and then I stopped into a store, but I usually just strolled. I did find the same identical necklace and earing set that I picked up for my mom and the guy wanted $130 U.S. for it. I only paid $90 Pesos. Quite a mark-up!

I was a bit chilly, so I went into Starbucks to get a Chai. As I went to the pick-up counter, a guy asked me if he just saw me. I thought he meant in line, so I'm sure I looked confused. He said at the Internet Cafe and I told him "no." Then, he said, "yes, on 10th!" Then, I realized that it was me. I thought that he meant a few minutes prior. LOL So, at first I said "Adios," and then I changed it to "Hasta Luego!"

La Cueva Del Chango
I decided that as long as I was so far down on 5th, that I would walk down to La Cueva Del Chango to see if Andres was there. He was and we had a nice little visit and he wanted me to stay for dinner, but I told him that I already ate. He told me to come back next week to have dinner with him. He is one of the owners.

Calling Home Again
I thought I would try once again. My mom was at my sister, Patty's house. She wanted to know why I never took her to this jewelry store before. Obviously, she hasn't been reading my blog very thoroughly. I just discovered the place msyelf.!

Breakfast
Can you eat breakfast after dinner? Just kidding! On my way back, I stopped at a little store to see if they had Leche Light and they did. And, even better, it was individual refrigerated bottles.

Beggar
There was a dirty, one-armed woman outside begging. She showed me a handful of Pesos that she had collected. I refuse to give people like that money, so I asked her if she was hungry and I pulled out the pile of 25 tortillas! She was eating them as I left and she thanked me.

Produce Market
I also stopped and picked up a banana to have with my breakfast.

Auto Repair Shop
As I walked by, the older man said Manana Bonita! LOL That's why Mexico is so great. The guys are all blind!

(BTW, does anyone know how to use the Spanish symbols on a laptop?)