They had to drag me to my first yoga class. I always thought yoga was not for me. I was not ready to sit on a mat and talk with something higher than myself. I am a sports person and not a dreamy softy. That was my idea of yoga. I was so wrong. Right after my first class I felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders and I asked my teacher for a book to learn more about yoga. I needed to know what this was all about. How could just one class have given me the feeling I touched something magical ? From that day on I was a student and soon became a teacher.

My life changed and all for the good. So yes, I agree that with a steady yoga practice great things happen. You can read everywhere about the benefits of yoga, physically, mentally and spiritually. The beauty is that it works on all levels, there are teachers and styles for everybody. And we know that it is not just about a strong and healthy looking body (nothing wrong with that of course and it comes with steady practice) but that a healthy mind is also important to prevent disease and live a longer, healthier life. Meditation is no longer a scary word or practice.

I love the direction my life has taken since that first class. I’ve gone from teaching part time to full time and opening a Yoga studio in Playa del Carmen, a dream come true. The biggest part of this dream is that I am able to help people, help them feel good, help them look inside themselves and help them create a better life for themselves. Is yoga really that big? Yes it is. I see it every day with my own eyes, the changes, the happiness and the growing number of people who are taking a teacher training course , joining in a workshop or try a class for the first time.

In my daily classes I teach Vinyasa flow, a dynamic way of practicing yoga with lots of hard work, sweat, and a lot of smiling faces. Linking poses with other poses and connecting them with the breath. The messages I kind of sneak into the classes are bigger and more profound than the physical movement and when the student is ready they will understand. All in their own time. Every level is a treasure and the journey is worth every down ward facing dog. Because we love our down dogs. And of course our chaturangas.

So YES, yoga is big and if you let it into your daily life, magic happens.

Namaste

Ellen de Jonge (E-RYT) teaches daily at Yoga by the Way in Playa del Carmen when she is not traveling to teach her Vinyasa masterclasses and workshops or participating in other workshops. Ellen also teaches the RYT 200 hour yoga teacher training course at Yoga by the Way.

Yoga by the Way is located on Calle 26 between Avenida 5 and 10 in Playa del Carmen. You can reach Ellen through the studio’s website.

It seems strange to be talking about hurricanes when our hurricane season just finished but there is so much information to share that I figured we would just get started. Let me say first that I’m no weather or hurricane expert, before I moved to Playa del Carmen I didn’t even know what a hurricane was, but I’ve been here for several hurricane warnings and “lived through” hurricane Wilma in 2005 so I’ve learned a few things. This is the first post in a series about hurricanes and I`ll discuss the things that happen in a town like Playa del Carmen when there is a hurricane warning and when a hurricane actually hits. I’ll also try to shine a light on the things you, as a homeowner, can do to protect and prepare your property in Playa for a possible hurricane.

But first a few facts so we know what we’re talking about:

-          A hurricane is an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher (source: National Hurricane Center)

-          Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A Category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a Category 5 hurricane has the strongest. (source: National Hurricane Center)

-          The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1^st until November 30^th.  August through October shows the biggest activity but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to get a storm earlier or later or even outside of the official hurricane season. Weather doesn’t stick to our schedules, it seems.

During the hurricane season those who live in the Riviera Maya keep a close watch on one or several websites that track tropical weather so we know what is happening and if there are any areas that show possibilities for tropical cyclone formation. If you live in Playa del Carmen or happen to be visiting during that time you will find out that EVERYBODY in town is an accomplished and well informed weather man or woman and can tell you all about the hurricane and whether or not it will hit us directly.  Don’t forget that you can be just as knowledgeable by checking the same websites (see below for a few examples). Of course, experience does count for something and it can be helpful to listen to other people´s opinion and advise.

Before a hurricane is a hurricane it goes through several phases. First it is a tropical depression, then a tropical storm and then it becomes a hurricane. Thankfully not all tropical depressions or tropical storms become hurricanes. Once there is a hurricane its wind strength is indicated by categories numbered 1 through 5. Don’t be fooled by a low number though, a Category 1 storm can bring as much destruction or more as a Category 5 storm, the wind strength is less but it could carry a lot of rain causing floods and landslides. Once a tropical depression becomes a tropical storm it is named, based on the Atlantic storm name list.

The following websites have a lot of information about tropical weather and hurricanes. You can use them to see projections of a storm’s path, storm and hurricane advisories, history, tips for protection of life and property, etc. National Hurricane Center,  Wunderground Tropical Weather, The Weather Channel

During the hurricane season you can also check out the Latido de Mexico Facebook page where we will update you on tropical storm and hurricane warnings as they get  published by the National Hurricane Center.

DAC is hands down, without a doubt my all time favorite store in Playa del Carmen. And best of all it is a healthy and reasonably priced store. No they don’t sell shoes, clothes or perfumes. DAC is a fruit and vegetable market with a small but nice selection of organic items, a meat and dairy counter, international canned foods (mostly Italian and Asian), and several types of rice, couscous, quinoa, nuts, spices, dried chiles and dried fruit and beans, etc.

DAC is one of the most colorful places in Playa, many fruits and vegetables are displayed in crates on counters in the aisles and you can pick and choose what you want to buy. If you don’t see what you need, don’t be afraid to ask. Yes in Spanish! Delicate items like fresh herbs need a cool environment and the big storage cooling area is in the back of the store not accessible to the customers.

Here’s a few things to ask for in Spanish:

Basil – albahaca

Mint – menta local or hierbabuena (there is a difference but I don’t know what it is)

Coriander – cilantro (this is usually sitting in a wicker basket in the store)

Parsley – perejil (can be found next to the cilantro)

Dill – eneldo

Chives – cebollin

Sage – salvia

Outside, adjacent to DAC you will find their restaurant La Ceiba. Here you go for Mexican food and healthy salad choices at a reasonable price, anything from breakfast chilaquiles and huevos rancheros to lunch enchiladas rojas, burritos, great salads, grilled chicken, etc. The best thing you can get at La Ceiba in my opinion are the smoothies and fresh fruit juices. You can order them in or to go and they’re truly awesome. I love the Xama-ha, some mix of orange juice, strawberry, honey and ginger.

Once you start to get to know some people in Playa you’ll find you will run into almost anyone at DAC or La Ceiba. Some will be hung over from the night before and others will be fresh and awake just returning from a yoga class or on the way to the beach.  No matter what the activity , a fresh fruit juice gets or keeps them going. Well, it does for me.

DAC and La Ceiba are located on 30th avenue, between Avenida Constituyentes and Calle 20

Open Mon – Sat 7am – 8pm, Sun 7am – 2pm

It was a Friday after a long, tough week and Jurgen and I decided to treat ourselves to a new lunch experience.   To begin our search we made our way to the corner of 38^th Street at 5^th Avenue, a rapidly developing area with a very nice variety of eateries.  As we strolled around discussing our options, I recalled a recent comment from my sister about a delicious chicken dish at La Bodeguita del Medio.  I had enjoyed a mojito or two at their old location, but neither of us had eaten there.  So, La Bodeguita del Medio it was. 

We were the first to arrive, shortly after they opened at 12:30 pm and opted for a table outdoors in order to enjoy the beautiful day and to do a little people watching.  Our waiter quickly arrived to provide us with menus and to take our drink order.  Since it was a Friday afternoon and because we were treating ourselves, we each ordered a traditional mojito.   I forget how much I enjoy a cool, refreshing mojito.

Mojito - traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar, sparkling water, lime and mint

Unfortunately, the Pollo Cubano dish that I was hoping to try was not yet available, but there were plenty of other options on the lunch menu that looked appealing.  We decided to share several items and placed our order for 2 different shrimp tacos as starters and a creole style shredded beef dish as an entrée.  As we sat, chatted and enjoyed our drinks, we were presented with a small taste of a lovely, rich shrimp consommé as a botana to accompany our beverage.   A botana is a small snack commonly served along with an alcoholic drink.  From 1 pm to 6 pm daily, La Bodeguita del Medio offers free botanas with purchase of cocktails or buckets of beer.   

Specials offered by La Bodeguito del Medio

 It wasn’t long and our shrimp taco starters were delivered to our table.  We ordered the Tacos Comandante ($38 pesos) and the Tacos Capeados Camaron ($35 pesos).  Each order came with 2 hot, yummy tacos. 

Tacos Comandante – grilled shrimp, melted cheese and purple onion

Tacos Capeados Camaron – large fried shrimp with purple cabbage and tamarind sauce

I thoroughly enjoyed both styles of tacos, but if I had to pick a favorite, my vote would decidedly go to the Tacos Capeados Camaron.  I am a big fan of both fried shrimp and tamarind sauce.  In fact, these shrimp tacos are now on my list of favorites.

Next to arrive was our main dish, Ropa Vieja ($95 pesos), a wonderful plate of shredded beef in a tomato based creole sauce accompanied by black beans and rice and fried plantains (plantanos fritos).  We both really enjoyed this filling, slightly spicy beef dish.   Jurgen even claimed that the rice and beans were some of the best he has ever eaten.  We both agreed that the fried plantains were a delicious addition.

Ropa Vieja – shredded beef in a mildly spicy creole sauce, black beans, rice and fried plantains

As we finished the very last morsel on our plate, both the day manager and the general manager stopped by to chat and to make sure that we enjoyed our meal.   Just to make sure we left happy, complimentary moxitos were delivered to our table.  The moxito is a new creation prepared by La Bodeguita del Medio in the same style as a mojito, using tequila instead of rum.  I enjoyed both the mojito and the moxito equally.  I believe that I would (happily) need to conduct additional taste tests in order to determine a favorite. 

The moxito, made in the style of a traditional mojito, using tequila instead of rum

Both Jurgen and I agreed that La Bodeguita del Medio was a great choice.  The atmosphere, service, food, drinks and value all came together to make for a very enjoyable lunch.  I still want to try the Pollo Cubano and will return some evening soon for what I anticipate to be another wonderful meal.  I also look forward to enjoying some live music as I conduct my very important mojito/moxito taste testing.

Open from 12:30 pm to 2:00 am daily, La Bodeguita del Medio is located on 5^th Avenue, between Calles 34 and 38.  They offer live music nightly (except Wednesdays) and, in my opinion, some of the best mojitos in town.  Don’t forget to ask for a pen to write your name on the wall, ceiling or where ever you can find some space.

If you were thinking of taking home some quality souvenirs from Playa del Carmen make sure to stop by the little artesania store on 1^st Avenue and Calle 14. The place is called Siete Detalles and is owned and operated by a wonderful lady called Alicia Zamorano. She named the store Siete Detalles, the seven details, in honor of her 7!!! children.

Siete Detalles on 1st Avenue and Calle 14

The store is full of all kinds of typical Mexican handicraft, most of it produced by Alicia’s family or by manufacturing families Alicia’s been working with for over 16 years. Siete Detalles sells quality Mexican handicrafts ranging from real talavera pottery to pewter, hand blown glass and calabaza products.

Mexican handicraft shoppers heaven

If you have any questions about the method of production or the authenticity of the crafts you can ask Alicia, she’s a fountain of knowledge. I asked her a few questions when I was in the store and what was supposed to be a 5 minute thing turned into something much longer and better! Here’s a little of what I learned about talavera pottery that day:

Traditional talavera pottery from Puebla

All the Talavera pottery sold in the store is handmade in Mexico.

Talavera tradicional or Talavera Poblana – is pottery made in Puebla and it can be recognized by the cream colored background of the design and the use of blue paint.

Talavera tradicional is certified for authenticity and it is the most expensive of the talavera pottery. The Talavera pottery that is sold in the store has been made by a family in Puebla that Alicia has been working with for over 16 years.

Talavera moderna – pottery that similar to the traditional talavera but has a white background, it is also made in Puebla and sold in the Siete Detalles. Less pricey that the traditional pottery.

Tipo talavera – talavera type pottery which has no specific background color, and the pieces sold in the store are hand-made in by a family in Guanajuato.

Talavera, authentic Mexican pottery

The pewter sold in the store is made Alicia’s family. The hand blown glassware comes from Jalisco and the calabaza products from Guerrero.When you bring something home from this store you will truly have a piece of Mexican handicraft. It is highly unlikely you will have to peel off a “made in China” sticker before you give it to one of your friends or family or keep it for yourself (which is what I have in mind).

Siete Detalles is located on 1ra Avenida Norte and the corner of Calle 14, Col. Centro, Playa del Carmen. It’s open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.  If you find the door locked just knock on the one next door or come back later. It’ll be worth it.

For months I have seen Mama Mildred’s cart sitting near the corner of Calle 38 and 30^th Avenue.  We pass this corner frequently as we go about our daily obligations and nearly each time we pass I tell Jurgen that I would really like to stop and give it a try some day.  The shrimp empanada calls my name.  On Sunday we made a point to stop here on our way to the beach.

Mama Mildred La Cocina. She calls to me.

I’m not an expert on empanadas and I’m not completely clear on the difference between an Argentinian style empanada and those typically found here.  It would seem, based on my personal empanada taste tests, that the difference may be in the in the dough.  The Argentinian style empanadas that I’ve eaten seem to have a lighter, flakier dough than their Mexican cousins.  They have also been fatter, with more of the delicious filling.

Jurgen, waiting for our order of shrimp empanadas

We each ordered a shrimp empanada and a shared bottle of agua de jamaica.  In a matter of minutes we were presented with freshly made, hot and crispy empanadas.  Then (and this is probably my favorite part) the young man behind the counter explained the many different salsas available.  There were 7 or 8, including chimichurri, tamarind, mango, pico de gallo, chipotle mayo, habanero and more.

Argentinian style shrimp empanadas; freshly made, piping hot and oh so good. Washed down with a refreshing agua de jamaica.

Our empanadas were wonderful, stuffed full with a very tasty, slightly spicy mixture of shrimp, tomato and mild peppers.  This gringa usually likes a little spice, but today I shied away from the more picante pepper based salsas and opted for the touch of sweetness of the tamarind and mango salsas.  Perfect.  The chimichurri sauce was delicious as well.  I could eat it by the spoonful. It only took a couple of bites before we both decided that one empanada would just not do and ordered another round.

From mild to knock-your-socks-off hot, I love the selection of homemade salsas!

For a grand total of $70 pesos (approximately $5.50 USD) we both left Mama Mildred’s completely sated AND with pesos left in our pockets.  We will, of course, be back to try the other menu items. Frequently.

Tasty AND inexpensive! This will surely become our go to spot for very yummy, cheap eats.

Mama Mildred La Cocina is a very cute, small white trailer located at the corner of Calle 38^th and 30^th Avenue.  Open daily from 7 am to 4 pm.  Provecho!

Our dog, Radar, was hoping for leftovers. There were none.

By Tyra Hamilton

Looking for something a little different this past Saturday, we decided to check out the tianguis (market) being held at Parque La Ceiba.  The poster I saw promoted arts and crafts, regional food, plants, Mayan healers, plus.

Parque La Ceiba - The heart of Playa

The tianguis was scheduled to run from 10 am to 6 pm and we made a point to go early, hoping to enjoy the cooler morning temperatures.   As is often the case here, things don’t always run on time and it appeared that not all the vendors had set up their tables while we were there.  We browsed the various tables of embroidered shirts, typical Mexican sweets, honey, woven baskets, organic products and more.  I found a hanging basket set that I had to have!

My new kitchen accessory

One table with decorated flip flops and another with Mexican candies and honey

Sabado Tianguis is held the third Saturday of each month at Parque La Ceiba.  I very much hope that this event continues to grow in popularity and that more vendors will display their wares.  We will definitely make a point to attend again, (a little later in the day).  If you happen to be in the area, I would recommend it as a nice, little something different.

I immediately fell in love with Parque La Ceiba.  Trees and plants line the paths leading  you through the lovely grounds, past small open air amphitheaters , an outdoor café,  children’s play area and several buildings that serve as class rooms for the various workshops offered at the park.   The park also serves as a drop area for recycling.

Here are some additional photos taken during our stroll through the park.

Lovely plants for sale

I really like the bottles built into the side of this building

Whimsical painted cow – now that’s some yard art

The colorful outdoor café/snack bar

Parque La Ceiba is a recycling collection point

Easy to find, Parque La Ceiba is located the corner of Calle 1 south and Avenida 60, just one block south of Juarez and two blocks west of the highway.

I’ve been hearing a lot about Chez Céline for some time now.   My neighbor raves over their croissants.  Another friend recently announced on Facebook that she had purchased a baguette, still warm from the oven.  Each time I pass, there is always a nice crowd enjoying the outdoor seating.   With all of the good reviews, it was time I see for myself.  Conveniently, I had two lunch meetings scheduled at Chez Céline within a week’s time.

On my first visit, I had a difficult time deciding what to order.  The longer I studied the menu, offering an assortment of sandwiches, salads, soup and quiche, the more difficult the choice became.  I finally decided on the roast beef sandwich – roast beef on a baguette with spinach and caramelized onions, served with a horseradish cream on the side.  What a great choice!  The bread was sooo fresh, the thinly sliced roast beef was moist and tender and the caramelized onions added a wonderful little touch of sweetness.  To drink, I had a refreshing limonada with ginger.

Yummy roast beef sandwich

Five days later I had the opportunity to enjoy another lunch at Chez Céline.  Deciding what to order was even more difficult.  I had enjoyed the roast beef sandwich so much; I wanted to order it again.  But there were still many other menu items that I wanted to try – the brie salad or sandwich, the quiche of the day, the onion soup – so many choices and all sounding so good.  I closed my eyes and put my finger on the menu.  The croque monsieur was my fortune.  This traditional French ham and cheese sandwich was wonderfully rich and filling.  A definite winner.

Cheese topped croque monsieur

Each of my lunches ended with a trip inside to purchase a fresh baguette to take home and to ogle the cases filled with the many other lovely breads and sweet treats that they offer.  With good food, attentive service and reasonable prices, Chez Céline has found a repeat customer in me.

An éclair to go, please

In addition to their lunch menu, Chez Céline also offers a daily lunch special (drink, quiche and desert for under $100 pesos), a menu of sweet or savory crepes, as well as a menu of appetizers with wine paring in the evenings – so much to try.  Chez Céline, located on the north end of 5^th Avenue at 34^th Street, is open from 8 am to 10 pm, Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday).  You can find Chez Céline on Facebook or visit their website.

I will order this salad with grilled vegetables and melty brie cheese on my next visit

For me, there’s nothing quite like spending a couple of hours sitting at the Tequila Barrel with a cold beer or three and watching the endless parade of people strolling down 5^th Avenue.

With a full menu of great, mostly Tex Mex, food like chicken wings, hamburgers, sandwiches and fajitas, deciding what to order becomes a difficult task – but do try the hot buffalo wings.  In the evenings, the party starts –ladies that dance on the bar get a free shot of tequila!

If drinking, eating and people watching weren’t enough, Tequila Barrel sets themselves apart from the many other bars by offering Live Sports Betting, with 20 TVs showing 14 different sports.  You can wager on many different sports including horse and dog races, football, boxing, hockey, and many more. Guests enjoy an open bar when betting on the horse or dog races.  For the golfers, they offer a ‘19^th Hole’ open bar promotion for after a tough day on the links.

The Tequila Barrel is located on 5^th Avenue between Calle 10 and 12.  Happy hour from 11 am to 5 pm, and specials like Ladies Night, Birthday Tuesdays and Pole Dancing contests.  You can find Tequila Barrel on the website, Facebook AND if you just can’t be there in person, you can watch the action on the webcam.

I have become a bit obsessed by plants and gardens.  Everywhere I go I am checking out the plants. I’m taking pictures of plants.  I’m chatting with people and asking questions about their plants. Plants this… gardens that.  I’m very sure this must be wearing on my friends a bit.  Now that I think about it, I think I believe I have seen a decrease in dinner invitations lately …

The good thing about being obsessed with plants is that here and there you will run across another one of your ‘kind’.  Gardeners like to share – knowledge, advice, cuttings, you name it.  One afternoon I arrived home to find a small Caladium in a sandwich-sized zip lock bag sitting in front of our gate – a gift from an anonymous plant person.  We’ve  received  offers to come get cuttings from others’ gardens, we’ve received gifts of oregano, cacti, a baby banana tree, elephant ears,  a coconut palm, a chaya plant, a lime tree and some plants that I have yet to identify.  Some will hopefully be stunning when they bloom (please grow, please bloom, pleeeeeease). 

These Mock Bird of Paradise were cut from plants that are now in our garden

Sadly, some of the plants we received did not make it.  It’s kind of funny how I became more attached to one plant than another.  For example, when the Ixora bush died after we moved it, I was all, ‘Ho Hum, put something else in its place.’  On the other hand, I babied the banana tree until there was simply no hope at all. The demise of the coconut palm almost broke my heart.   BUT, many of my favorite plants, including the lime tree, seem to have made it and that’s all that really matters.

Our lime tree!

We are very fortunate to have all of these great plants in our garden now.  But wait…. Who turned off the water?!?  Seriously, just days after the planting was done, the sky dried up.  There has been no rain for what seems like forever!  Occasionally we get a dark cloud or two that teases us into believing that some rain might fall.  Nothing.  Nada.  It really has been a struggle to keep these new plants alive.  Even the cacti have begun to droop.  I water like crazy.  What little grass we have growing amidst the weeds has begun to go brown and get crispy.  Whenever I see the tiniest bit of green grass, I water it.  The yard has become polka-dotted with tiny little patches of green here and there.  It has now become a game trying to connect the green dots. 

You know it’s dry when the cactus droops

A few small patches of green grass dot the dry yard

Aside from the near drought conditions and the few sad mortalities, most of the plantings are doing well.  As I water, I study them closely for signs of tender new growth and I am always happy and a bit proud to see a new little leaf popping out on a bare branch. 

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Post script:  When this blog was originally written, we had no measurable rain for close to 3 months.  EVERYTHING was suffering from the lack of rain.   I am happy to report that those lovely tropical rains have once again returned and our weeds are growing like… well, weeds!

If you’ve missed my previous blogs on my tropical garden, it’s not too late to catch up!

How my tropical garden grows – I have dirt!

How my tropical garden grows – a big  job ahead