On the road again

On June 16, 2007 almost exactly 11 months after our departure from Toronto,
we loaded up our trusty van on a rainy Saturday morning in Aguas and began our long journey home. (Adiosito Aguas!) The photo above shows Lucinda in her car seat surrounded by STUFF. The photo doesn't show how full the van actually was. When we crossed the border at Reynosa, Mexico/McAllen, Texas the US customs person asked us what we had in our van (what didn't we have in our van would have been a better question). We replied with "toys, books, clothes" (all true) and when he asked us to open the back, out fell (as if on cue) Lucinda's skateboard, Johnny's rollerblades and our Monopoly game. That little demonstration provided sufficient evidence for the guard to send us along.

Toto saying, "OK, I know we're not in Kansas, but where are we and where we going?"

On the first day of our journey we drove and drove and saw cacti....

....and more cacti

and then we crossed the Tropic of Cancer (apparently it was to the right)

and after crossing the U.S. border we (well actually Johnny) saw this...

The first of many scheduled SB stops; anticipating the buzz.

Hitting the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There´s....

As we get ready to click our heels together and head back home, (if only it were that simple), are thoughts are on all the things we're looking forward to. Of course, first and foremost we look forward to seeing our family and friends, most of whom we haven't seen for 11 long months.
And after careful consideration here what each of us said we're going to enjoy once back in Canada: (in no particular order)

Lucinda:
- Having a bath
- Tim Horton's bagels with cream cheese
- Repclub
- Going to Treasure Island Toys (with Omi)
- Sushi

John:
- Taking Toto to Withrow Park
- Starbuck's coffee
- Sushi

Sabine:
- CBC Radio
- Sitting on the front porch with a Steamwhistle
- Not using a laundromat
- Sushi

Toto
- Playing with other dogs at the park
- Meeting Louie (they made me say that)
(what's sushi?)

Our neighhood people

Here are some of the people from our neighbborhood of Encino

that we'll miss when we head home (in a few short days).

First is El Maestro de Pan. We were lucky enough to live a stones throw from the best baker in town. We'll miss this extremely friendly man as well as his tasty donas and conchas.

This is Juanito and his wife. All the fresh fruits and vegetables we ate here in Aguas

came from their store.

We'll miss the fresh corn tortillas from our tortilla guy. He also makes wicked chorizo.

More flores of Aguas

Well faithful blog-readers, it is nearly time for us here in "Hot Water" to pack up and head northward. And surely one of the things we'll miss greatly is the plantlife. Just check out this huge bouganvillia!

The quintessential hibiscus.

And no matter how hard I try, my plumbago back in Toronto will never be a hedge.

Unidentified tree with abundant orange blossoms.

San Miguel de Allende

On our road-trip to San Miguel this weekend we stopped in the town of Dolores Hidalgo.

D.H. is is the birthplace of Independence (México), but it is also known for its nieves

(gelato-type ice cream). Aside from the usual flavours like strawberry and chocolate, one can also find tequila, rum, shrimp, cheese, and other interesting kinds.

Here John is enjoying a beer and mole cone and Dave is having a mole and avocado combo. Yum!

Here is the somewhat Gaudi-esque main cathedral in San Miguel.

The mercado

A view of San Miguel from the bullring.

Thanks Johnny McGyver for breaking us in, I mean helping us gain access.

San Miguel de Allende is a real ex-pat strong-hold.

Though not as pretty a city as Guanajuato, it does have quite unique shops, a terrific artisans market, and many fine restaurants.

Alas, no Starbucks.

Lucinda's 8th Birthday

We celebrated Lucinda's 8th birthday last Saturday at Mundo A,

an aquatic park in the south of Aguascalientes.

Lucinda invited her friend Frida.

Much of their time was spent in the wave pool.


After many hours in the water, one needs a little relax time on the "beach".

Feria de San Marcos

Lucinda and Dave (a fellow Canadian) at the Fair

One of the biggest attractions at the Fair, the real- fake

snow slide. (Wow, snow!)

Medieval Knights Show

Johnny Jester and the King of Medieval Knights






Lucinda playing Loteria (Mexican Bingo)



























Escaramuzas


Teams of female, side-saddle horseback riders


performing, intricate, thrilling, and dangerous


moves at high speeds.

The Feria San Marcos is the biggest fair of its kind in México. On the first weekend alone it attracted 1 million visitors. This month-long extravaganza features rodeos, horse shows, a midway, concerts, a casino, bullfights, cockfights, art exhibitions, a film festival, various types of theatre, the Medieval Knights Show, and the world's largest open-air bar (1 litre of beer for just 25 pesos - about $2.50).