Hisa Franko in Residence in Madrid
We were thrilled to receive a notification from the Worlds Fifty Best Restaurants during our month long European vacation that Ana Ros was bringing her world renowned restaurant, Hisa Franko, to Madrid for a residency at the NH Hotel while we would be visiting. Within moments we had reservations on what would be the last night of the event, December 6th. Hisa Franko is located in rural Slovenia in an area not at the top of our travel wish list (similar to Faviken in rural Sweden, we were unlikely to ever enjoy it). I have admired Ana Ros for years. She is a completely self-taught chef who uses hyper-local ingredients…
Can I Drink the Water in Mexico? -And Other Cultural Expectations
Living in Mexico gives us a very different perspective than when we were on vacation. Common questions that were once in our heads have been answered and incorporated into our daily lives. When people come to visit, we are a little surprised by some of the questions about Mexico like ” Can I drink the water?” and “Is the ice safe for my drink?” Why would we choose to stay here if there were questionable health risks? But we understand. We all wonder what the water is like and how people greet each other in places that are foreign to us. We want you to feel comfortable while visiting, so…
San Miguel Restaurants with a View
San Miguel de Allende may be known as an artist community and expat haven, but the town is also known for it’s incredible restaurants. Mexican cuisine reigns in this colorful town with regional specialties from the Yucatan and Oaxaca. But for those with more finicky palates, or for locals who just want something different, international cuisine from pizza to sushi can be found on every almost street. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links which means we will receive a small commission when you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. One glance at tripadvisor.com for San Miguel de Allende restaurants, and you’ll see that there’s…
Wine Tours by Epicurean Expats
Mexico has been making wine longer than any other country in the Americas, a full 242 years longer than the oldest winery in the United States. But for social, religious and govermental reasons wine has not been fully embraced by the native population. This country has been a tequila, brandy and beer culture for hundreds of years as these are enjoyed in abundance at fiestas and celebrations. The concept of enjoying an alcoholic beverage daily is frowned upon. Wine is considered a beverage for the wealthy and foreigners, and is taxed by the federal government at the unbelieveable rate of 46%. So that means a 100 peso bottle is 46…
Your Car Maintenance and Ownership Questions Answered
The freedom to explore the country with your own set of wheels is exhilarating, but just like with all things, it does come with a certain amount of responsibility. Car maintenance and ownership in Mexico is not much different than the United States, but there a few adjustments. Gas is not self-serve, registration is not during your birthday month and the state of Queretaro requires an emissions test every 6 months on used cars. We listed some of the common things we’ve been asked about car maintenance and ownership that we’ve noticed during our time here. Your Car Questions Answered GETTING GAS How do I get gas at the…
Amealco, a Pueblo Magico of Waterfalls and Maria Dolls
Amealco de Bonfil is one of the oldest towns in the state of Queretaro and is one of the newest on the list of pueblos magicos. Founded in 1538, Amealco de Bonfil is a place of history and tradition, agriculture and waterfalls. Amealco de Bonfil is located a few minutes from the state border of Queretaro and the State of Mexico. It’s an hour south of Queretaro and just over 2 hours from Mexico City off of Highway 57. Evidence of prehistoric settlements and mammoth bones have been found in this region. Today it’s a peaceful town surrounded by corn fields and sheep farms. You’ll find more barbacoa restaurants in…
Discover Art, History and Culture at the Museums of Queretaro
The historical area of Queretaro is a UNESCO World Heritage site studded with beautiful architecture and monuments. Queretaro has grown from an agricultural region to the birthplace of the Independence movement, and helped shape Mexico into what it is today. The museums of Quertaro are an easy way to learn about the history and culture of this vibrant city. We’ve put together a list of the best Queretaro museums for you to visit. Many works from the Barroque period are displayed in the cloister rooms of a former convent in the Museo de Arte Sacro. The Regional Museum of Queretaro and the Conpiracy Museum highlight the history of Queretaro.…
Try Out the Expat Life With Pet Sitting
Our mornings start with a sprint down to the park. Once we arrive, I unclip the leash and jog around the park with Kiko leading the way. We are on a quest to find his best friend Guapo. He looks back at me with an encouraging grin and an expression that says “Keep going! You’re doing great!” I’m a poor running buddy substitute compared to his dad or Guapo, but hopefully I can stop soon. With his nose up in the air, Kiko quickens his step and I know Guapo is nearby. For the next hour, they run and chase each other, chew sticks and trample the meticulous landscaping. And…
Where to Swim With Whale Sharks
I’m on a boat bobbing up in down in the blue expanse of the Caribbean Sea. A sucking sound off the starboard side, like water draining in a bathtub catches my attention. The speckled blob of a whale shark moves past the boat slowly, mouth open wide. Another one approaches, and I swing my legs over the side and jump in. Moving clumsily through the water, the beast to my right glides smoothly past, ignoring my feeble efforts to keep up. As it moves off into the deep blue, another approaches, and I turn to admire the star-like pattern down the length of its body. Luckily, these creatures have…
How to Make Masa at High Altitude
Have you ever wondered about how to make tortillas or tamales from scratch? It is a lot more work than using prepared Maseca. It’s an artform and it takes time. A lot of time. Our friends at Cal y Maiz specialize in heirloom corn, and showed us how to make masa at high altitude. The heirloom corn varieties Cal y Maiz works with are grown in the small state of Tlaxcala east of Mexico City. There are a variety of colors; white, yellow, pink, blue, black and red. Below is a recipe for making masa in Mexico City. Altitude affects cooking times. The higher the altitude, the longer the cooking…
