Que Pasa? September 12th

We are heading into high season with high hopes of a great time as it could not have been worse than this year! The charity has continued to work its butt off to bring help and support to the community, it makes this newsletter long but I feel we need to show what we are doing with your support and donations to help hundreds of people in this community. On the right a photo of a beautiful day at Playasol, one of the charity's great supporters. I have no camera (again) so I cannot show you:
1. the overpass on the highway that is roaring ahead (will make their deadline of late December)
2. the new Biergarten that opened next to John Grays (had the charming Armando hosting but now Dieter) Bodo's menu, adding more seafood soon.
3. the fishing co-op's renovations nearing completion
4. our beaches full on weekends: visitors from Cancun and around (Cancun's beaches not good)
5. the newly paved streets in the colonia
6. Ed's new chicken and rib shop opened around the corner, in the primary school side street
7. French Kiss Coffee shop opened next to Posada El Moro
8. Two more lifeguard towers on the beach with bright blue Telcel advertising(mmm)

Off with their balls! August saw this group of around town volunteers , working with the vets to help Diane's spay and neuter clinic attend to 81 cats and dogs of Puerto Morelos. This is an annual event with the VIDA vets that benefits the whole community, so remember the dogs and cats next time you visit Mama's Bakery! Memsaab to the Rescue, in the form of Abby (984 1337800)who now offers delicious home cooked Indian meals one or 2 days a week, just call the day before and pick up (last house to the south on Rojo Gomez). She has tempting menus on her blog, The Curry Bowl, click here. El Faro, above the super, has a home delivery service 206 9300 - BBQ chicken 75p. costillas. 75, hamburgers 55, german sausages 65, french fries 40, beers 15p, tacos, quesadillas, chimicangas etc! Rotary on the Road - The charity, El Mundo para Puerto Morelos SC, had a great shot in the arm at the end of last school term with Rotary in Austin pitching in with some much needed supplies. They were particularly interested in assisting the teachers and we received a load of maps, books, laboratory equipment and teaching aids that went to help the high school. We are hoping to be able to further our relationship, so if you are in Austin remember that helping them also helps Puerto Morelos. Seen here volunteer Erik Sanchez from Austin with the high school director. We have just started the new school year and Frank and I attended opening day as special guests to award the prizes for the 3 best students in the last year - those who showed the most improvement. We were delighted to meet the winners. Rios Hernandez Saul Benjamin, aged 14, the first prize winner and the 2nd and 3rd placers, will now be able to study on their own computers thanks to the generosity of our Puerto Morelos residents who donated 3 lap tops- thank you very much, you know who you are!! Puerto Morelos' Little League, El Cachorros, thanks to the support of Jeanne Baker and family staying at Casa South Breeze, now has a full set of players t-shirts and baseball pants along with several new bats and balls, thank you again for your support, the kids are delighted with their new gear. Learn English for free in Puerto Morelos? for some time we have wanted to be able to have volunteers teaching English, the charity has donated supplies to assist the free classes in our Community Library, that Anna teaches to small children and recently Erik volunteered his holiday time to teach adults in the library and will start another programme for adults when he returns in November. Community News, well we have no ambulance again, so if you need one call 066 to arrange through the Police. The Mayor says another is arriving shortly and I am currently fighting to get back our equipment from the other one. We still have no pumper for the fire brigade, (Cancun took ours), the Mayor says Puerto Morelos needs to achieve Independence to stop this happening. Who wants to start that campaign? The Tourist Police - are never coming back - thank you taxi drivers and Pepe Espinosa, for nothing. But we have new Police Chief, Cte Zacaria Antonio whom you can reach through the local Police Number 206 9104 and for the Transito Cte Elbin A Marfil Burgos cell 998 2192008. Talking of which the development plan! - the federal judge threw out our AMPAROO because there was no 3rd party attached. UNAM and Parque Marina refused to give technical support documentation. Why do you think?
El Mundo para Puerto Morelos SC, received an injection of funds for our sponsored children project - which paid for 9 student's school fees for this year, their uniform and each a back pack full of supplies, seen here some of the children receiving their sponsor's letters and gifts with parents and teachers. Chicago Dental Visit: Sarah, a dental hygienist from Chicago, and her husband Eugenio, a Chicago policeman, collected hundreds of samples and gave 3 dental hygiene classes in the Kinder Cinco de Mayo while they were here on holiday, thank you again, for donating your expertise and time. The little ones were adorable and all claimed to brush their teeth twice a day. On a recent trip down to Mahahual I saw for the first time the repairs put in place after the devastation of Hurrican Dean. There are some new interesting places to eat and drink on the South end of the strip and a brand new Malecon at the beginning. The beach is still nticing and it is always very relaxing there if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Morelos! Behind the beach hurricane damage remains evident. On the Hurricane note, I recently attended a Hurricane awareness meeting, a presentation was given by Civil Protection to try and limit damage and loss of life. Did you know that Gilbert, in '88 travelled at a speed of 22.5k then Emily in 2005 at 27.3 but Wilma was only at max 4.8k/h, that is why it was here so long. The graph shows perceentage likelihood per month. You must leave town if ordered by the authorities, there are refuges in the colonia in the taxi union, schools and churches (no pets) . The Bachillera is currently installing indoor toilets in preparation. Do what you can to protect your doors and windows, pack up fertilisers, insecticides and other poisons, bag your important documents. Leave anywhere near the beach, don't drink (what are they thinking?), don't spread rumours. Closing and Openings - there have been quite a few closings but there will also be several openings soon so I will wait until they are sorted out to bring you the new season's fare. Independence day celebrations are upon us and the Mayor has helped arrange a big community effort over 4 days.
SAT 12 Sep 7pm Election of Miss Independence in the Park with stalls of regional food, all invited (998 2147801 Triny)
SUN 13 Sep 7pm Folkloric Dance presentation
MON 14 Sep 7pm Lottery Game 8pm Contemporary dance presentation 9pm Competition for best Regional dress - everyone invited!! (9981900322 Basto)
TUE 15 SEP - 6PM Regional Dress Dances 9pm Presentation of Miss Independence 9.30 Presentation of prize for best food 10PM Civic Shout for Independence 11pm Fireworks! For your edification here are the calls and answers we will need to know: The Mayor leads the call for independence shouting: "Viva nuestra independencia!" The crowd responds: "Viva!" "Viva Hidalgo!" "Viva!" "Vivan los heroes de la independencia!" "Viva!" This continues until the final "Viva Mexico!" When the mayor rings the bell and the crowd erupts into shouts, whistles and cheers with a final heartfelt "VIVA!"12pm Dancing
WED 16 SEP - 7.30am Traditional Parade in Commemoration of the start of the fight for Independence, and her folks, the party ends!
We should be proud of our gorgeous Puerto Morelos Champion Swimmer, Fer, seen here at theopening of the Cancun Olympic Pool with Greg Sanchez, President Municipal and Governor of Quintana Roo Felix Gonzalezz Canto and Senadora de la Republica Ludivina Menchaca. He has a very proud mother, Pily Rodriguez, and can be seen playing beach volleyball at Bar Ixchel. One of my favourite links is to a site that specialises in assisting women living abroad - they have a sponsor who offers expats health insurance, don't know much about it but thought you'd like to know, click here, they also have a foreign exchange service for expats, click here. I had a recent trip to play polo in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and I wanted to show you the view from the house where I stayed and some of my friends there. I had a terrific time as everyone was very hospitable. I celebrated a birthday recently and celebrated at Terraneo, a beautiful restaurant on the lagoon side of the hotel zone (discounts for locals) http://www.terraneo.com.mx. I play polo with Cedric, the owner, so don't be shy to say I sent you. Also had a dinner marathon at Secrets Silversands with my friend Cindy, as it is mostly couples, we had a wonderful time flirting with the staff, Enrique who plays the grand piano in the French restaurant is adorable. As I mentioned before, for US65 for a night pass you can eat in 4 different restaurants and drink yourself silly there on genuinely good liquor. Feel free NOT to mention I sent you ! On that note I am excited to announce the start of the Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Morelos. Tuesday January 5th will inaugurate the school. We will hold classes 2 days a week for locals and visitors to learn to cook signature Mexican dishes and dishes influenced by Mexican flavours. We will have visiting celebrity chefs as well as locals teaching a class in English followed by a late lunch. We are currently working on the website but please feel free to go there and register and be the first booked in, there is already a lot of interest, click here. Patti Murphy, from Montreal, and I are happy to be starting this venture and adding another dimension to all that is offer in the Puerto Morelos culinary world. Viva Mexico!

I leave you with some photos of all the good times at the beach bar recently by Nadja, a wonderful phtograqpher now living in town! please email her: nadjabvd@gmail.com: Bar Ixchel. and of course another photo of my horse Mandarina and a classic shot from the Polo tournament in May and out independence day recipe!

Chiles en Nogada

A wonderful dish consisting of a green chile, white walnut sauce and red pomegranate- the colors of the Mexican flag. This dish is a Mexican Independence day favorite.

• 6 large green chiles, for stuffing
• 3/4 cup crema or sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 pomegranate, seeds separated
• 1/2 lb ground pork or beef
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 of an onion, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon lard or vegetable oil
• 1 apple, peeled, cored and seeded, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted almonds, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons raisins, softened in warm water
• 3 eggs

Roast the chiles and remove the skins and seeds.

Heat the oil or lard over medium heat in a large pan. Add in the beef or pork and brown until nearly done. Add in the garlic, onion, apple, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, pinch of salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes.

Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks with a mixer or a whisk. Fold in the egg yolks and a pinch of salt. Dip each stuffed chile in the egg mixture and fry until golden brown.

Stuff the chiles with equal portions of the stuffing. Blend or mix the cream, walnuts and sugar with the evaporated milk. Pour over the freshly cooked chiles and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Yum!