On the Road Again with Mrs. V: Guadalupe Goes To Hollywood

Another day, more new amigos!

This morning we got up early, (RELATIVELY early <g>), and headed to La Cruz for their awesome Sunday “Market”. We arrived early enough to get a great parking place and to watch some of the vendors who were just setting up. Of course lots of turistas, expats, retirees, vacationers, locals, and all kinds of shoppers were already out in force. It got even more crowded as the morning went on.

Since we had not had breakfast/brunch at the casa, we started at the busiest spot of the La Cruz market at that moment: “The Food Court”. This is NOT a food court like in the malls, but rather a food court of little tents on a peninsula surrounded by the ocean, boats, mountains, and sunshine.

Every kind of food & drink imaginable is being cooked/prepared on grills, in blenders, etc. at each of the “food court” tents. All the food tents were busy, but you could tell the most popular food spots by the longer lines being formed by the locals or people who stay for 3 or 4 months every year.

We “cased out” the amazingly large number of food choices and finally had to make some decisions. We had lamb empanadas (with sauces of course), quiche, fruit drinks, coconut/chocolate dessert bar, and brought peanut butter cookies and huge cinnamon buns back to the casa. EVERY food there is homemade, and everything we bought and sampled was truly delicious.

Our appetites satisfied, we then started to cruise the tents with things for sale. Again, most of the items for sale are homemade and most made by Mexican natives. To those who know me it will come as no surprise that I would love to buy something at almost every tent! Ladd is happy that there are airline regulations that limit luggage weights! Ha! I did buy two pairs of handmade beaded earrings. Sandy made a super purchase of some handmade Mexican tapestries.

We took a little break and sat on the pier watching the little boats, the giant yachts, the breath-taking scenery, and the people.

We planned our last stop at the La Cruz market for just before we were ready to leave: the fresh fish, fresh meats, fresh vegetables stations. It was so interesting to see the vendors/workers fileting, slicing, preparing the fresh fish, etc. Everything looked good to us.

We finally “committed” and bought tuna steaks to do on the grill at the casa. Can’t wait!

On the way back to the casa we had to stop at “Mega” for some charcoal for the grill. We stop almost daily at “Mega” for one or two needed items, so now when we walk in we are greeted by many of the workers who say, “Hola, amigos!” They always seem honestly glad to see us and come over to talk to us.

On this “Mega” trip we met a nuevo amigo, Guadalupe, who was helping us find some things. Guadalupe is a friendly, out-going young man who speaks his native Spanish AND English both equally well! (Putting this language-challenged group to shame, again!) After Guadalupe helped us, we stood talking with him in the aisle for about 15 minutes as he asked about us and we asked about him. This happens every time we go to “Mega” and other stores, which is why our excursions take so long…LOL! And is also why we LOVE our “excursions”!

We told Guadalupe about our trip blog, gave him the address, and asked him if it would be O.K. to take his picture for and talk about him on the blog. Knowing we were from “New York, United States”, Guadalupe laughed and said, “Maybe my picture will help make me famous in Hollywood!” So if there are any agents out there reading this blog, let us tell you that Guadalupe is handsome enough, smart enough, and personable enough to “sign up” for an acting audition! (We hope you will read this, too, Guadalupe. We’ll see you again on our next trip to “Mega”.)

Our stop at “our” casa was just long enough to unpack and put away our groceries and purchases because it was then time for…drum roll, por favor…HAPPY HOUR AT “KAREN’S PLACE”! We didn’t want Rosa, Eric, or Enrique to worry about us or forget about us, so of course we HAD to head to the beach to “Karen’s Place”. (Enrique, did you decide when I should start training to help bartend at happy hour? <g>) Sandy and I tried a new (to us) drink: a mojito. It was delicious, but I like my “Mexican Kisses” and margaritas better, so we then switched back to margaritas…when in Mexico…ha!

What would a happy hour be without meeting new friends??!! We got chatting and laughing with Darlene and Rick from Canada. Darlene and Rick are retired and own a casa near “Karen’s Place” in Bucerias. They spend winter months in their Mexican casa. (Sounds like a great idea to us! Ha!) We stayed much longer than usual at happy hour because Darlene and Rick were so down-to-earth, so easy to talk with, and such fun! We sure hope we see them again…more new amigos!

As you may have already guessed, by the time we returned to the casa, it was too late to cook the tuna steaks in the great fashion they deserve. So Ladd “whipped up” some of his great burgers and we collapsed. In true Mexican style we said, “Tuna Steaks Manana”!