October 2018 – Mexican Moose

Back in September, I decided that it was time to get more into the local food scene here in Santiago de Querétaro. There seem to be so many great eateries that choosing which ones to explore can be a challenge. Particularly along the narrow streets of the historic downtown, the choices are as varied as your imagination. Every block has countless cafes and restaurants, each with its own charm and tempting menu.

Besides the number of options making decisions difficult, the potential risk of food-borne bacteria in less than tidy kitchens makes just ‘guessing’ as to the cleanliness of a restaurant a high risk decision. The high daytime temperatures in the city mean that food prep surfaces need to be kept sterile, with food turnaround times kept very short. How, exactly, should a newcomer to the city figure out which places are clean and safe?

I do not subscribe to the ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ philosophy. As far as I am concerned, what doesn’t necessarily kill you CAN still leave you weak, nauseated and diarrhetic. Better to know the place is safe before throwing caution to the wind.

Continue reading “Gastronomic Galavant: Querétaro Tacos, Tequila and More”

With each passing week, I get more and more comfortable with living in Mexico. I remember that when we first arrived, a drive across the city for a quick trip to the market was almost always a white-knuckle experience that left me exhausted and mentally distressed.

Besides the concerns with the hazardous road conditions, damaging wear and tear on my car and the fear of getting stopped by police who are attracted to the foreign license plate for a possible payday, there was just the general ‘newness’ of being in-country that made me feel anxious most of the time.

Now, almost six months into our stay, I just don’t feel like any of those things are as relevant anymore. What’s weird is that nothing has really changed. The road conditions aren’t any better, my car has squeaks, rattles and scratches it didn’t have before we left Canada, and although police are everywhere (with their lights permanently switched on) the risk of being involved in a traffic stop seems less likely. As with most new experiences in life, the ‘newness’ wears off and you start focusing on more important things.

Continue reading “Food and Foibles- Mexican Style”