Thursday, 24 June 2010

"The Masted" Regatta's visit to the Port of Veracruz

In late June Veracruz was one of the  host stops of a regatta
where large ships from various countries
sailed from port to port

Barque Eagle  America's Tallship
The Eagle began its existence as the Horst Wessel in Hamburg, Germany in 1936.   Her keel was laid on February 15, launched on June 13, completed on September 16, and commissioned on September 17. She was the second ship in the class to be built after the class namesake, Gorch Fock. Adolf Hilter and Rudolph Hess were present at the launch and christening. The name was given in tribute to Nazi party member Horst Wessel.

Segelschulschiff Horst Wessel
At the end of World War II she was given to the United States as a war reparation



It was very interesting being on the ship.  
The ship is operated year roundd by a permanent cew of 56.
Only a few of them from the United States, also a few were women 

Presidente applied for passage, but they turned him down

they said he needed more experience at the helm

and to overcome a fear of reaching the
greatest hights
                                                 
The Motto for a Seaman
is no different than
The Motto for a Saint
The highest compliment one can pay a sailor (a Saint) is to call him a "Seaman" ("A Servant of the Lord").  In that one word is expressed the whole mastery of his profession.  Seamanship (Sainthood) canot be learned in a day, a week, or even a year, for within its meaning lies the ability to handle a vessel (your temple, being your body) under any and every circumstance, fair weather or foul.  Nor can it be learned soley from books.  But as in every other profession, armed with the knowledge of what other men have found successful, the landsman in light of his own experience will learn the more readily and surely.

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Divertirse in Veracruz



Another of Rob's famous tricks
balanced napkin holder
 




Crab for supper anyone
  
Relaxing on the beach
right across the street from the temple
  
 
Herman Tejada's
Felix Cumpleaños
 
Presidente Hilton Y Marifer

 
Lindy's New Hair Style

Check out the Stylist

 
That's us on the banana
   
My friend at the club, Lulu
 


Another Friend
 

A refreshing piña









Our peg partners from the States
Camm and Shawn

Man at the helm









Hermana Tejada Y Hermana Hilton
Flirting with Moroni
 
My favorite gardener




Anyone for a little marimba music?

Light at the end of the tunnel
 
Mi Amiga, Teresa

Veracruz Aquarium











Mexican Carnival

High In Our Tower








The Mexican People are the best.
You tell them you like something of theirs and they give it to you.
You ask for a recipe and they come to
your casa, bring their own pots and ingredients
and you learn.
150 tamales later---we know now how to make tamales

The Torres invited us to the World Trade Center
where their son was performing
Just for fun the gardners made us a decorative
pathway connecting our two casas

Independence Day Celebration
Mexico's independence from Spain




Monday, 3 May 2010

XICO Day Trip

Famous for it's Mole and this Waterfall
 left to right
The Ratz, Bickmores, Hiltons, Pietrafittas, and the Yanez
This picture we are standing by the top of the falls

It's quite a hike








Raiders of the Lost Ark was filmed here

At the bottom we were grateful for this shade tree



















Lindy cooled down in the water


The girls hung out for a rest

Lovers


This little Catholic church was decorated
with all fresh flowers & plants

take a closer look



We found the famous restaurant for Mole

Presidente Hilton making and cooking tortillas
The men cooked for the women
 

Presidente Bickmore

Our friend Tony from the Club
A tennis partner.
Not a member of the church

Presidente Yanez










Now I will educate you on Mole
 16th Century nuns from the Convent of Santa Rosa in Puebla de los Angeles, upon learning that the Archbishop was coming for a visit, went into a panic because they had nothing to serve him. The nuns started praying desperately and an angel came to inspire them. They began chopping and grinding and roasting, mixing different types of chiles together with spices, day-old bread, nuts, a little chocolate and approximately 20 other ingredients..
Mole Poblano

Mole Poblano: Pollo con Arroz


This concoction boiled for hours and was reduced to the thick, sweet, rich and fragrant mole sauce we know today

My personal opinion----it tastes like something you burn accidently, scrap it off the bottom of the pan and eat, only if your straving to dead






















Thursday, 15 April 2010

April Activities

A second visit to La Antiqua established in 1574
Home of Cortez



Florals are abundant everywhere in Veracruz

Mango Tree

Trip to the Fish Market

Preparing for Dinner

You can buy a whole fish cheap




The local aquarium is home to 3000 species
of Marine life native to the Gulf of Mexico


These beautiful creatures can kill you



Family Home Evening with the Torres Family
Both Hermana & Hermano Torres
are temple workers