A week after I arrived...Happy(?) Birthday Bluelou!

Church of the Divine Providence, Nogales Mexico

Church of the Divine Providence, Nogales Mexico

Church of the Divine Providence, Nogales Mexico

Church of the Divine Providence, Nogales Mexico

Sitting in in Mass one Sunday, I noticed a lady in the crying room holding a white poodle. "What the..."? This photo opportunity was definitely worthy of a Facebook post. It wasn't hot enough that the dog couldn't have stayed in the car. Guessing he got busted for drinking the Holy Water.
I saw the same pair in Mass the following week. This is taking comfort animals a bit far in my opinion.
"Can I get an amen from the choir?" "Woof!"

We do have a few entrepreneurs selling food at the start of the work day and noon time. I usually buy an ice cream like dessert with Oreo cookie crumbs. We often hit Carl's Jr. or McDonald's for breakfast. This is called "Hielito" or "ice".

Another teaser but it's not from my favorite local restaurant either.
Sold from the vendors at the gate where I work, these are bean and chorizo (sausage) burritos. The burrito lady notices when I'm gone because they don't see me in passing and I don't buy their burritos. Nice to be missed. When I went to counting carbs, it took a while but I figured out how I could eat her burritos yet keep the diet. This burrito gained in popularity such that it's now named after me. No royalties/commissions yet but there's always hope!

We as Americans tend to homogenize other cultures and foods. Such is the case with what we call Mexican food. The tacos, burritos, and other foods sold back home don't resemble anything I've seen here in Mexico. I've started taking foodies from my favorite local restaurant.
It's from my favorite local restaurant...chips and salsa.

Yes... it's from my favorite local restaurant...Carne En Su Jugo - Stew...broth, beef, beans, bacon, pico de gallo...

Yes... it's from my favorite local restaurant...Pork & Chicken Enchiladas

Yes... it's from my favorite local restaurant...Tacos Al Pastor...pork with a hint of pineapple

Tacos from a vendor served at a company lunch.

Chimichangas

Yes... it's from my favorite local restaurant...Tortilla Soup - Before and after the broth is added. - Click on the image.

Quesadilla from just outside the gate.

Tamales from a neighbor's restaurant. These are the closest to what I've seen at my favorite restaurant back home but the ones back home use white corn and pork. These are filled with ground beef. - Click on image

Chicken Torta - Spanish for "cake". It's more like a sandwich.

(1/2) January 5 and/or 6 is the end of the twelve days of Christmas. It's the Epiphany which celebrates the baptism of Jesus and the wise men who visited him in the manger. In the US, not much for this Christian celebration is done but in Mexico it's revered where festive cakes are consumed. I am a Catholic in a predominantly Catholic country. In former years, Epiphany was a holy day of obligation, a day where we must go to Mass. Now days, it's moved to the nearest Sunday.

(2/2) Dulce De Leche - Caramelized Milk Cake
Those festive foods look tempting and I feel bad not joining in the celebration but I'm doing my best to maintain my diet regimen. Nowhere in the world have I encountered anyone who makes cakes and pastries as sugar laden as we do in the US. It looks more decadent than it is. For journalistic integrity, I tried a small piece which tasted like a slightly sweetened dinner roll. I skipped the bulk of the frosting and jelly (red splotches).
These ring-shaped cakes remind me of a pastry Mom made in my youth. Hidden inside the cake is a Jesus figurine. Figurine recipients are supposed to bring tamales the next year as thanksgiving for a year of blessings.

On the left, bought at WalMart in the US in Tucson, AZ. On the right, bought at WalMart in Nogales Mexico. The right has about a third more product at about half the cost. Same Product. Perhaps, the added cost went to the added packaging.

This is our warehouse dog, OS&D. OS&D is an acronym for Over, Shortage, and Damaged. A stray dog, she was adopted by the warehouse but a colleague adopted her as his dog. If she's brought on site, my office is generally one of her first destinations. She wouldn't sit still for a photograph. In this case, she thinks she's getting part of my breakfast sandwich...sorry!

(1/3) A creative use for rebar...before and after decorating...the company Christmas tree!

(2/3) A creative use for rebar...before and after decorating...the company Christmas tree!

(3/3) A creative use for rebar...before and after decorating...the company Christmas tree!

(1/2) Birthday Pinata Before!
We didn't have pinatas like this when we were kids!

(2/2) Birthday Pinata After!
We didn't have pinatas like this when we were kids!

I was driving to the gym and noticed the sunset. I love the sunrises and sunsets here. This photo was taken while behind the wheel of my car stopped waiting for the traffic at the stop light to move.

(1/2) Two weeks later, again, I was driving to the gym and saw this video (next). My mind did a "WTF"! Again, I captured a photo from behind the wheel of my car but couldn't get the light tail. The photo was taken from the same spot while heading the same direction. It's a privatized version of the space shuttle.

(2/2)Here's a link for the story.

(1/3) Park your truck in the street...

(2/3) Hablo muy poco Espanol. (I speak little Spanish)....

(3/3) If it runs, doubtful, and you put air in the tires...and...and...and....perhaps the chain (bottom right) will stop you...perhaps not...but...it's a semi-mobile(???) key shop!

I always wanted to get this picture. NOBODY turns left on a green light in Mexico. They wait for the arrow. Waiting for the arrow, I caught this praying that the guy behind me remains patient not hitting the horn. I was safe. Not a peep. This is one of the many stoplight revenue raisers.

(1/4) One of my regrets living in Mexico for as long as I had was not seeing the Lucha Libre pro wrestlers. Between COVID and my Spanish speaking wrestling buddy colleague transferring, I hadn't exploited this until I saw this in my FaceBook feed. Second time around, it got saved to my phone.

(2/4) One of my regrets living in Mexico for as long as I had was not seeing the Lucha Libre pro wrestlers.

(3/4) One of my regrets living in Mexico for as long as I had was not seeing the Lucha Libre pro wrestlers.

(4/4) Three months later...a photo worth...????