Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Residue Awareness


As a year round motorcycle rider and MSF certified Instructor, I like to think I'm more attuned to the environment than most. I don't ride in ice and snow and usually won't venture out into a raging downpour; however, all other riding days and weather are fair game.

As the cold weather beats a half speed retreat from the Fredericksburg area, motorcyclists are peeking their heads out and firing up their machines. Waiting to greet them is the residue of City and VDOT attempts to keep Old Man Winter at bay. I'm talking sand. Lots and lots of sand. Spread along the entire lengths of neighborhood streets, covering whole city intersections and leading into/out of parking lots and driveways.

Sand is one of a motorcyclists worst enemies, second only to oil or anti-freeze when it comes to cornering.

This is the time of year when motorcyclists need to contact their local Public Works Departments city council representative, mayor or supervisors and make them aware of the hazard sand poses to them as roadway users. Request they break out the sweeper machines, go through the town and make a concerted effort to rid the streets and roads as best they can, of the residue. If those efforts fail or are rebuffed, ratchet up your situational awareness and be prepared. A few good, hard Spring rains might wash some of it away, but not all. Stay alert.

Friday, February 4, 2011

When In Rome

My job affords me the opportunity to travel extensively around the world; and lately, it has taken me to South & Central America. Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico.

When it comes to food, I've always been adventurous. No matter where I travel in the world, you will not find me eating at McDonalds, Chili's, TGI Fridays, KFC, etc. Rarely will I eat at the hotel. My search for good starts shortly after arrive in country and more often than not begins the taxi driver. Where do the locals eat? I get one of two reactions. It's either immense pleasure or an incredulous look of bewilderment. More often than not and fortunately for me, it's the former. By the time, I've been dropped off, I have a minimum of three recommendations.

My latest foray south of the border took me to Quito and Mexico City where I discovered two local haunts that were somewhat off the beaten path.

Quito offered us Rincon La Ronda. The atmosphere was old world; heavy stucco walls, red carpeting, high backed chairs made of old dark wood. Our meal started with empanada's and other local delights; followed by main courses consisting of grilled pork, suckling pig and beef tongue. Each main was accompanied by vegetables, some type of grilled potato patty and my all time personal favorite, fried plantains. An added bonus were the two groups of musicians that wandered the floor. A group of three older gentlemen, plucking guitars and a band of five men, dressed in more traditional garb playing flutes, drum and guitars, all crooning local ballads. Thoroughly enjoyable.

While stuck in horrendous traffic in Mexico City, I asked my driver for an eatery recommendation close to my hotel. Without missing a beat he said "Los Panchos" but with a glance in the mirror and a bit of trepidation in his voice. I pressed him. "Sir, it is not a very nice place." "Not nice in what way?" I asked. "Not safe for me to be there or not pretty to look at?" "It is a simple place sir. Not fancy." I chuckled. Sounded like my kind of place. I said "Do you eat there?" "Of course, it is some of the best authentic Mexican food in the city." SCORE!!!! "Well then, I accept your recommendation. Do you have an address?"

With the help of Google Maps, I found my route. A mere 15 minute walk from the hotel. I turned onto 9 Tolstoi and knew I was in the right place. A small hole in the wall looking joint with two local Policia standing out front, availing themselves of the food. Los Panchos has a walk up area where you can get an array of assorted tacos to go. Stand in front of the glass and watch your tacos created before your very eyes!

Inside are a few dozen tables. I am seated and peruse the menu. Before I ordered I knew I was in the right place. Really now, how can you go wrong in a restaurant that has twenty-four different tequila's on the menu??!!! With my extremely limited Spanish I order. A Negro Mondelo, tortilla soup and two pork campechanos. Along with my beer came bowls of salsa roja, salsa verde and pickled veggies (carrots, onion and sliced jalapenos). A condiment tray containing diced onion and cilantro was also dropped in front of me.

The tortilla soup was like no other I'd had before. A rich broth, chock full of slices of corn tortilla. A tray containing a crumbled farmers cheese, slice of avocado, pork rinds (go figure) and pieces of what I believe were dried ancho chili. Everything but the avocado went into the soup. With each spoonful my eyes rolled back into my head. In between bites, I slipped a slice of pickled vegetable onto my tongue.

The campechanos appeared. Sliced pork and pieces of pork rinds wrapped in soft corn tortillas. I opened them up. In went the two salsa's, cilantro and minced onion. I blinked. My plate was empty. How the hell did that happen so quickly, I wondered?

I sat back, sated. I was offered my choice of coffee beverages and chose a double espresso. The entire meal came to $170 pesos or $15 USD. Having paid the bill, I casually strolled the fifteen minutes back to the hotel, giving the food a chance to settle.

As I walked, I silently thanked my dad. My sense of gastronomical adventure comes from him. When we rode, we would take the road less traveled. Inevitably, that road would lead us to some small out the way place, far off the beaten path that held a hidden gem of an eatery. Mind boggling BBQ, fresh seafood, mouth watering biscuits or just plain old down home country cooking.

Travel and food. Both are adventures waiting to be explored. To be shy about the latter is to miss out on a good portion of life's pleasures. So, when in Rome...