Making Shrimp Ceviche

A couple weeks ago, in Guadalupano, I was treated to fresh, homemade shrimp ceviche.
It was so good, I enlisted my friends to make it for my visitors, and they were happy to do so this past Sunday.  It was very special that we were all able to come together for this at the Sailfish condo, where they came to use the kitchen.

We, as teachers, were happy to be in the role of students that day.  I captured the moments, and made careful notes, and I do believe I could actually recreate this recipe.
It is as good as any shrimp ceviche I have had anywhere.
(And I only recently had it at Casa Ixchel, walking there from town. This ceviche is equally as good as theirs, and also as good as the shrimp ceviche I had yesterday at Capitan Dulche'  --  all good!
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We made 2 batches;  1 for us, & one for them to take home.
First, begin with a kilo of shrimp, 4 fresh tomatoes,2 onions and 1 bunch cilantro & 4 limes.
Peel the shrimp.
Put into boiling water, and blanch for 1 minute.
Drain.
Squeeze out excess water.
Cut each shrimp into thirds (or leave whole, depending how you like it.
I like it in smaller pieces.

The tomatoes and onions--cut and dice; squeeze juice from the 4 limes (limons);  Mix all together;
Let marinate a bit in the lime juice;     add salt and pepper to taste.     Quite an easy process, really.


Here, the shrimp is parboiled, water squeezed out & each shrimp is cut into thirds.   It looks, and is, so fresh.

M and L, the parents,'chefs' and my sometimes helpers/empleados..., are doing their magic in the kitchen.  Cutting, Dicing... Mixing   In addition to food prep,   I learn so much from them.
Luckily, we make a good 'team' and help one another, with one thing and another.





The kids, Jenifer-Maria-Ajani-
could they be any more patient?
any more polite & kind?
What nice kids.
They got some Cheetos.
And, they'll have their ceviche later.
But, they deserve, and hopefully will be able to have, much more and I hope to see to that.



Ready to sample....yum, yum.... Shrimp Ceviche.      Simple, tasty, refreshing & delightful.
I intend to try this myself, and now that I've seen it done, it seems more doable.

My friends, visiting, were equally impressed.

I have more photos of the prep. process, cutting, dicing, etc.
However, the fotos aren't scaled, flipped and ready to add to blog.

And now, I'm currently dealing with a non-working golf cart--my only transportation, which I count on.  So,  I need to trouble-shoot.  I'm getting tired of that.  
Sometimes, immediate problems of a daily nature, just take over.
I'd love to work more on getting things picture perfect.....
....not gonna happen.     Sometimes, you just need to move on.
That's what I've decided.  This blog is what I can do now & then.
I can highlight a thing or two.  It cannot possibly recount the daily travails of my life and lives of others which intersect mine.   Since making this shrimp ceviche a week ago, a hundred things have happened--expected and not.   I could not possibly, nor would even want to, recount them here.  
Anyway, the shrimp ceviche is a good memory, among others,  and it will trump the golf cart memories in the long run.  Thank heavens I do have people I can call on.
Overall, it's really been a great week--wonderful friends, visiting and local.
And all around the island, we've enjoyed some really good food together... Good times, good memories.

Sailfish Condos, Isla

Here is the building on Isla, known as Sailfish.  Our original 'home' away from home.  We already have a lot of history here...good, bad and ugly.  This building is always needing some work, and as you can see, it has just received a new paint job...gracias to Gregory, who lives here.

Hopefully, he'll bring it back around to some of its former glory.    The views of the bay are to die for.
I can't even get a photo to show the beauty of the water, especially from 4 flrs up (2nd from left, top floor
It is a walk up, and I can guarantee strong calf muscles after a short while here!  Some good things--the wash dries super fast up on the windy rooftop (with views to both sides) & it feels super safe up here..

 Another good thing is, I can walk down the path & easily go snorkeling out there anytime.
Have lots of snorkel gear here.  Being a swimmer & former lifeguard/swimming teacher, I prob swim here as much as anyone. At least once a day...The good thing is, I swim more when I'm on this side!

The main bedroom has a great view of the bay during the day, and the lights of Cancun at night. 

The second bedroom...super breezy, and a view to the other side of the island...
so, 2 bedrooms, plus a futon in the living room.  My son & his wife & kids were just here, and myself, and all 5 of us fit in pretty nicely.  They really love it here (their 3rd time, with kids!) lots of kid stuff too.
I'll have to add photos of the living room space later, but you can see the futon, leading out to balcony.
The kitchen/dining/living room/balcony just all flow together into one space, so you can see the sea...

The kitchen is stocked and serviceable  (let's see--we just made some great ceviche here, next post!)
The cupboards, etc. could use updating, and the bathrooms (2) as well....maybe someday...we'll see...

Meanwhile, it's really very comfortable,
fairly spacious, as places go around here,
killer views, and easy living!

The door is open...come on over.  ha ha--   
I've been doing some painting here, but not working too hard... there is always work here....
 and now, it's time for a swim!

Rentals

Okay; may as well use my blog to do some advertising, and see what comes of it.
I don't like doing self promotion, but what the heck; I need to post something.
Have been busy with my friends visiting from school & home; love they come on spring break.
would really always just love to have friends and family...but sometimes...must think future...& rent.
we did once have a bed & breakfast, and think we could do it again here....we'll see....

SO... 2 places will be for rent, short-term, beginning April. (or even, long term, negotiable...)
       1. Casa Colibri'  and   2.  Sailfish condo 
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Casa Colibri' -- has its own web page    www.facebook.com/RentIsla
You would probably need to scroll back pretty far to find photos, and more info. and fotos.

  Gorgeous view of open sea (looking east) , and nice spacious patio off the kitchen/dining area.
  Large King size bed in bedroom, & adjoining bathroom with a large shower and sink/counter.
Could put an extra person on a cot/futon in the kitchen/dining area, so suitable for 2-3 persons.

The upstairs will be available to rent by the week or the month, but mostly short term, as we also want to use it for guests and family (and ourselves, until the next door place is ready.)
I think the going price of $75/night is reasonable, or $350-400/wk low season (coming up). long term, negotiable.

Upper photo shows bedroom with king-sized bed.
Bathroom (large, walk-in shower) is to left, right off bedroom, and private balcony is to right.
In the closet is a TV with cable (Cablevison...most Mexican channels, but some US also).
Below is kitchen, showing island with stools, stove and cupboards above, all well-stocked.
Sink and other counter is off to right (under the casa colibri' pic).   OH--and there's Wi-Fi, Internet.
will post more updated pics soon , maybe tomorrow, and then, of Sailfish condo also.

any serious inquiries, please direct to     sauerfarm@yahoo.com     for now.         reasonable/negotiable

 Here's the view you can see from sitting ont he patio.   awesome.   never tired of this.
At night, although you cannot see the Cancun lights from here , you can see the lighthouse lights, and the lights of cruise ships, or other ships out on the open Caribbean.
The path to left is well used, as walkers, dog walkers, sightseers, etc., venture down to the cliff's edge.
The pathway then runs along the seafront, left toward Colonia La Gloria and right to the end of the island, or Punta Sur, South Point.  It is an astonishing view, and reminds us of the coast of Maine, where we lived for a short time, in Winter Harbor, Acadia Nat'l Park.

We love walking down to southern point, easternmost point of Mexico, where you can see the sunrise 1st in all of Mexico.
stay tuned for pics of Sailfish condo.  Cancun/bay views;  2 bedroom & roomy.  4 flights up but the view is worth it.  Easy walk to Garrafon de Castilla or La Joya to eat.  Our long term renters left in Jan. My son & family stayed in late Feb and March, and I'm here now.  Desperately seeking good renter!!!  

Differences...

I should be posting more....Feeling conflicted.
I really am a very private person...Señor S & myself, both. 
So, I sometimes wonder why I'm putting anything out there... I respect others' privacy also.

This past week, had the  experience of visiting 'Guadalupana' (aka 'the Invasion' where families have settled in makeshift homes, living in below standard conditions), kind of like 'homesteaders' in hopes of being granted a permanent space there.   Later, in the same day, I visited a new upscale restaurant, 'Limon' in the Colonias here.
What can I say?  Within several hours and only a few streets apart, I was in two different worlds,  and it's hard to come to terms with that. That's life here. 

A family who are now friends invited me to Guadalupana. I took no photos, & would not post if I had.
I was very touched to be invited, and they served me homemade shrimp ceviche. 
At Limon for dinner, I had good food also, but not better than my ceviche for lunch at Guadalupana.

I'll learn how to make that shrimp ceviche next weekend, as we get together for a 're-do' of that recipe, except in my kitchen. I hope it's something I can learn to recreate on my own.
And I hope our friendship builds and I can do more to help those who need it most on this island. 

I'm trying to find connections in my mind, and maybe it's food.   Good food and good people.
There is a lot of good food and good people here.


 

Isla...La Joya; Evie & Violet; Mexico/Morocco similarities

ok. a break from my 'travelogue'     
Mexico is where I'm at now, with visiting family;  it's great to have family here. Feels more like home.
We're exploring here and there, and a lot of times, just nearby.
Here are some pics of the charming little hotel down on our end of the island, La Joya.
They have now opened their small dining room, & are advertising breakfast,, lunch & dinner.
The hamburgers, fries and guac were wonderful, and not as pricey as some of the other special dishes.

Here is Violet in the green chair of dining rm.

The dolphin outside the door was her very favorite thing.

Evie hugging the 'Mayan' woman nearby.

The pool below the dining room.
They were so kind to let the kids use the pool (that was the deal, if we dined at their restaurant...).   Wonderful!

And, to throw in some Mexican/Moroccan similarities: here are the girls in their djellabas (not sure I spelled it correctly). It's an Arabic word for that hooded, body covering robe they were.
It is the perfect solution for the intense sun here, without having to always resort to using sunblock.
I've always wanted a djellabah for myself...I wanted one 40 years ago, and I still do....
It was just one of the many things that never happened, though it's on the list!
Glad the girls have them tho--perfect for them.

And, another Mexican/Moroccan similarity:  TILE.... love it!   and here's a lovely doorway at La Joya.
Love the tile, and love the design... It's even a bit Moroccan, with that arched doorway.  Good ideas...

have so many more good pics of their stay, and here's a link from facebook; doubt I'll post them all here.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2744863903810.2112990.1323888366&type=3&l=b87da3d216

1965 07 Medina (Mehdiya) Beach, Morocco

and that's how it looked back then, only a few years before I would've gone there.
I believe they have old footage, mixed with new footage, showing more of the recent development.
I see from the comments, they say, you wouldn't want to see it now.

That's often the same thing I hear from folks that were on Isla that same number of years ago.
Or even, just 10 years ago.
They wouldn't want to see it now;   too much change has happened.  Not all for the good, but yes, some for the good too.  I'm okay with seeing the change in Morocco, and here. 
It's just part of how things evolve. And both are coastal areas...drawing tourists...
  But I do reminisce, and I do understand how one can feel that way.
I won't post  my pics of the development behind me, or the lots for sale.  I enjoyed my view of the ocean.

Mehdia Beach, Atlantic Ocean...Morocco

This was a stretch of beach I used to go to...and it was still there!
I remembered the hard, packed sand, kind of yellowish, running a long stretch north & south...
waves rolling in... for me, many years ago...it was my favorite place to go...

It's not far from Kenitra, and I used to drive there...
in our little Morris Minor car
(wish I had that now...great fuel economy....)

We had a difficult time finding it, winding through many back roads.  However, we made it, and the trip was worth it... Probably my favorite rediscovery of the area....and the beach was much the same...

Way more development around it though, and that was already happening 40 years ago...
 

At the time, I thought this was a fantastic beach.  It still is... but nothing like North Beach on Isla.
Anyway, not sure the video will play, but if so, hear the sounds of waves as I walk on Mehdina Beach!
(and if not, I have discovered a youtube video, shot from 1965 of same beach, which I can post next...)

Tangier, Morocco-Hotel Continental

Am actually in Mexico at the moment, and already have things I need to post from here!

Will add some more Morocco first, then skip to Mexico for a bit...
Maybe the theme could be....whatever starts with an 'M'?         or, whatever place has a lot of tile?
Our beginning & ending place in Morocco was the port city of Tangier.  It seems very international.

This is the Hotel Continental
in Tangier, Morocco.
we got lucky with this find--an old, aging threadbare place with fantastic 'bones' as they say...
It was my favorite place to stay of the whole time we traveled.
Kind of right of out 'Casablanca' period.

Morocco, Hillary and me

 Well, that last post was from Barcelona...and can't believe I never got a chance to do any other posting
We were back in Barcelona this morning, after a night on the bullet train; then from Barcelona on to Newark & Chicago...right now we're recovering in a hotel room after that series of bus,train, plane rides.
And here's a post I had almost ready since Tues or Wed?  Will just jump to Morocco, & fill in all week.
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So...Hillary was in Morocco. too...
I've actually been a bit out of touch with the news...so, it was a surprise when our taxi driver in Tangier said that Hillary was meeting with King Mohammed V1 in Rabat the same day we arrived...
  (as we drove down Mohammed V1 Hwy...in Tangier, which was known as Mohammed V, when we were last here, 40 years ago...
things change....yet, so many similarities....
Steve reminded me that 40+ years ago, when he came to meet me at the airport, there was also a US Sec of State visiting....Rodgers... (which he recalled, because he was pulled aside for questioning as he lingered at the airport, waiting for me... I guess without his Navy uniform, he looked like a one of the 'usual suspects.'          We're having a lot of strange coincidences on this trip.

AFP

Hillary Clinton con el ministro de exteriores marroquí

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We obviously had quite different visits...Hillary, & we...
She, at the royal palace (sans King...oops...he was on a conference visit to Qatar, I guess....)
We--on what might be called a pilgrimage, to our first home, & life together in Kenitra, not far from Rabat...    I didn't think culture shock would hit me twice in the same country, but it did...
It's a country where being a shepherd seems to still be a career choice...
We saw many adults and/or kids out tending their flocks in fields as we drove along the highway..

Except for missing the King, doubt if Hillary had many surprises.
We, on the other hand, had many.... like, not being able to even find our previous lodgings in a chaotic, crowded city. But worse, becoming stranded on a remote highway, after running out of gas due to several gas station closures.  Regretting that I never learned Arabic...and even worse, that I hadn't brushed up on French before coming...   but, as is our style, we did this on the fly...
Anyway... we survived (tho, I clearly remember saying...'we're gonna die!' out on a countryside road' & even Monsieur S. said he hadn't seen me that worried in a while...
My basic French allowed me to discern 5 vs. 15 km (cinq vs. quinze) of distance to the nearest gas station...and in the end, a nice young Moroccan man came to our aide, accompanying me to station to get help, gas & return to our stranded car. We knew we'd be okay.   it's just that crisis moment!
At least we didn't have to apply for one of those shepherding jobs...and good thing, as without Arabic skills, we wouldn't even qualify.

Here's a photo I found of the gas station which saved us...Afriquia...

let's just say it involved a long walk, a 5 litre gas can,  several Moroccan guys, and an empty water bottle found on side of road to serve as a funnel...

one of those memorable moments...

And here is a gendarme. 
I just love that French word, gendarme.
And I love how the gendarmes always look so put together...
They're especially handsome when they have a mustache, and then they really look like they're out of those 40s movies.   I did want to get to Rick's cafe in Casablanca (made recently, as the movie backdrop)...would love to see that...
(esp as my blog is somewhat based on that title!)

Kenitra is the town where we lived, not far from Rabat.  We did actually make it there. Though, after so many years, we just could not find familiar things. This train station was familiar though.
We once road on the Marrakech Express, and I guess we started from here, before we connected to that line further south.
  
We couldn't find our old apt, and not surprising as the city seemed totally changed, much bigger, more people, more buildings...
It was overwhelming to see the change.


These lovebirds were unique.
Think they may be ibis.
Very eye catching up there...

 So, the mint tea.
That is very Moroccan.
We did that. Loved it.
Even bought ourselves a pot & intend on having it more often.
It's just green tea, hot water, and a pot stuffed with fresh mint leaves.   Yum.
We found a little cafe in Kenitra.
and celebrated with mint tea.

Am sure Hillary had mint tea also.
Even if she was at the Royal Palace, ours was more special!