The  pending Ensenada disaster is now 6 months late.   Is that Ensenada cataclysm or catechism?  Conspiracy followers love this stuff.  As always, Ensenada Gringo maintains the highest journalistic ethics in bringing you vital Baja California news. 

“Anonymous sources confirmed by unnamed, high-level officials, substantiated by several elite people escaping Baja and documented by lots of other strange stuff happening in well-respected scientific organizations with big acronyms that something massive occurred in or around August 2011 in Ensenada with more massiver disaster pending real soon, sometime!”

If all of these scientists have left their jobs, I’m guessing that the remaining faculty, staff and students would begin asking questions.  Maybe they are part of the conspiracy?

Our best solution?  Try the newest cocktail, shown lower right photo with link for recipe.

source

“The topic being discussed by the scientific elite is the fact that they now have confirmation that a huge cataclysmic geological or geophysical event is about to occur any moment now that would at least destroy the port city of Ensenada Mexico. Ensenada is located at just 68 miles south of the Tijuana/San Diego border. At least 300,000 people reside in Ensenada. Among other things discussed was that they leave the city as soon as possible. It has been revealed to us that in fact many of the foreign scientists working at the CICESE and other well-connected individuals in the Baja California elite have left Ensenada. Our direct source mentioned in the interview we conducted with her on January 3rd, 2012 that the antendees mentioned that they were expecting the event to occur any moment now and that they referred to it as a “geophysical event”.

As you have seen in my previous posts, the Punta Banda peninsula is full of great hiking and amazing views.

These photos(click the smaller ones for large size) are from my 29 January hike out to the point, “Cabo Punta Banda“.   The elevation is 1,185 feet above sea level and provides 360 degree views of the area.  GPS N 31.7416  W 116.726

Entry to Cabo Punta Banda is from the paved road to La Buf, right exit at Camp 7, KM 18.  It is the sight of the palapa roofed picnic ground.  The dirt and gravel road does steepen to approx 20 degrees in some spots, but, a decently treaded pair of walking or hiking shoes will get you there.  Dozens of microwave dishes dot the towers on top of this hill.

Weather was a perfect 80F, wind light on this Sunday hike.

First 3 pix view southwest to the peaks of Punta Banda, Mount Soledad(3,727 ‘) and my neighborhood known as Puerto Escondido.  Caught a bee doing its thing around the Agave Shawii plant(“aka “century plant”) that blooms once, then dies.  The cactus skeleton is the foreground in the photo of the residential and tourist area of La Bufadora.

I did take a less obvious trail around the southern end of the point that dead-ended in thick greenery.  I have several scrapes from agaves that were defending their habitat.  Thin skinned is me.

Two photos following the skeleton view northwest over the Punta Brava resort of the Flagship Group and Tiger Woods.  I have nicknamed the development “Campo Elin”.

The Islas de Todos Santos are two islands that are part of the rocky continuance of the Punta Banda peninsula toward the northwest.  Looks like one island, but, the taller island closer to camera hides the waterway between the two.  Big surf competition happens on the west side of these islands.

Scan north is the panoramic view of the Ensenada coastline and downtown cruiseport.  Found a small fishing boat patrolling point with a curious supervisor hanging on the rock behind.

Favorite quote about my possible move to Baja in 2006…”Baja?  There is nothing but desert and rocks there!”.

Double Stacking at San Ysidro Border

Update: Monday and Tuesday’s clusterfluck at San Ysidro provided 4+ hours of wait time.  The construction is not scheduled to be completed until 2015.

Construction continues at the world’s busiest border crossing at San Ysidro – Tijuana.   The west(left side) lanes 17 thru 24 will close on Monday, 30 January.

The remaining lanes will use “double stacking” method of two cars being inspected at once time in each lane.  Each lane will have two inspection booths, with two CBP inspectors skillfully reciting their sophisticated script.  “What are you bringing back?”, “Where are you going?”, “Where did you travel in Mexico?”.

Of course, the government is touting the speed and efficiency of this double stacking method.  Speed and efficiency are always two resources I keenly observe on a regular basis from my U.S. government.  I’m certain my editorials like this one will put the Ensenada Gringo Blog on Homeland Security’s watch list

I would avoid the San Ysidro – Tijuana border crossing this entire year.  The Tijuana traffic, construction delays and usual thrills in this area are going to be exciting.  I’ll choose Otay Mesa border crossing.

Lucky me, as I have not had to cross the border in 2 months.

El Mexicano story

Was recently introduced to a Canadian dish called  “seafood chowder poutine” via the food truck Fresh, Local, Wild, in Vancouver.  The traditional version of this Quebecoise dish is gravy & cheese curds on fries.  Guessing this is the French-Canadian version of nachos?

But, the Couvies of British Columbia, Canada, add seafood creativity to the recipe.  Think rich chowder & chips.

Here in the REAL B.C., I decided to add my EnseNADA blend to the Couvie presentation.  Chowing just 1,500 miles down the road from my Canuck friends, why not create a Baja chowder and chips version?

The occasion was the small thrill of achieving a January fitness goal.  What better way to celebrate health than butter and french fries?

While your fries are doing their thing in the fryer or oven…

Start with a medium roux (mushroom soup works).  Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic, celery, onion.  Add butter.  Do you like how I specify the precise measurements in my recipes?  Gotta go with the flow.

Now comes the naughty “Nadie” influence.  Add cumin, oregano, sage, several dollops of Doña Chonita mole  and 2 large Anaheim peppers, diced.  Yes, I use Anaheims a lot, because they add plenty of flavor, but, don’t overwhelm the recipe with heat.  Hey, if you want to climb  Wilbur Scoville’s ladder , GO4IT!  Just keep those chopping hands away from your eyes.

Your fishies should be prepped and ready to swim.  Last night I added shrimp and scallops to the caldron.

What recipe couldn’t use a little pork?  Bacon could be an interesting additive for this creamy caldo.  But, we’re not cooking an Iowa chowder.  For Baja,  chorizo de cerdo(pork) is the way to go.  I microwaved the chorizo to get rid of some of the grease then sliced it into thin medallions before adding to the stew.

A perforated pizza pan works well for fries in the oven.  Before heating I throw the fries in a bag, add some peanut oil and shake to coat.  Spread flat on pan, bake to golden brown, then add a few minutes  color for the proper crunch level.  Recommend this medium-well texture of frydom, because they are going to soak up the gooey goodness of your chowder.

Use a large, flat soup bowl or pasta dish for individual servings.   Lightly salt the fries, then add to bowls, just like a pasta presentation.

Liberally ladle the sloppy sopa onto the papas.  Cheese is always an option, but, I went without it.  Make hot sauce available.  Lime garnish adds color and another south of the border flavor element.

Vino Bandito recommends the $10 2009 Les Charmes Chardonnay Macon Lugny as a perfect pairing.  Negra Modelo also goes especially well with chowder and chips.

Make plenty of chowder, because you and your guests will want second servings of this heart attack in a bowl.  ¡Buen Provecho

baja chowder and chips

When I moved into my home here, on the hill, in 2007, I adopted “Fool On the Hill” as my theme song.

Sergio Mendes‘ pop bossa nova sound combined with vocalist Lani Hall’s sultry style introduced U.S. fans to something a little more complex than the pop syrup of Jeannie C. Riley or Bobby Goldsboro.  I prefer Mendes and Hall’s recording over the songwriter’s, Paul McCartney.

My music awakening began thanks to CKLW radio in Windsor, Ontario traveling all the way across Lake Erie to my home in Cleveland and my brother’s and sister’s beginning music collections.

Your interpretation of “Fool on the Hill”, like my peaceful and adventurous life, may vary.

As a keen observer of the human condition, I am also an observer and fan of physical conditioning.

Most do not exercise over fifty years old, because they have given up on the idea of improving their health.  “When I was young…”, “Not too many years ago, I could beat most 20 year-olds at…”, “Beginning next week, I’m going to…”.  zzzzz

Here are the lifelong  incremental stages of fat acquisition for Americans waddling toward their hibernation, also known as “retirement”:

• The freshman five weight gain signals the beginning of the end of youth.  Expect 10+ pounds in your twenties.
• Thirties Thermostat: By age 30, mate, make babies and sit at your “career”, setting the lifetime trajectory of your caloric thermostat.  The 20-30 lbs you have gained since age 18 assures increasing fat futures.  You and your mate grow together.
• Forties Flab: divorce, corporate stress and little food discrimination earn you the official USDA stamp: FAT.  The average bodyweight fat is 25% for men and 40% for women.
• L is the roman numeral for 50.  Your fifties are also the age of LARD/LARGE.  The bodyweight fat statistics don’t alarm many until you tell a 22o pound male and a 160lb female that they are carrying FIFTY+ POUNDS OF LARD.  Wowzers.
• X is for the Ex-patriot communities of XL+ sizes in Mexico that focus activities on food, beverages and sedentary lifestyle choices.  Q: “Hey, Doc, that’s not very fair and who the heck do you think you are, #@%!&*>!?”.  A: I’m bitch-slapping you into G.O.Y.A. and encouraging you to get healthy and have more fun.

Many ex-pat retirees have set themselves up for the severe health consequences of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis and more.   These will cost you money, time and enjoying a quality life.

How many pills did you take today?

Life is about choices.  What’s yours? 

1. Any exercise is better than nothing
2. Regular(3-5 days per week) exercise beats occasional whims.  Five days per week is better than three.
3. Most do better with the encouragement and social benefits of a group, class or workout buddy.  Find one… or two.
4. “I don’t know how” is an okay start.  Get some decent walking shoes with cushion and flexibility and start walking.  Good shoes start at $50, but, their cushioning and flexibility will save you pain and injury over the $15 WMart cheapies.
5. EZ does it when starting any new exercise program.  Pain, little/no results in first days and discouragement are easy excuses.  Become an incremental exerciser.  Try a 5% increase in effort or intensity or duration each week.
6. Back to ENCOURAGEMENT, hang with others with similar goals.  Exchange website information.  Challenge one another.  Make a bet.
7. It takes a month of effort simply to get your body ready.  Your real successes won’t appear until month two.  And we all know that most exercise efforts die in their tracks by WEEK TWO!  Why do you think every gym thins its January crowd by week #4 and is virtually empty after Valentine’s Day?  Pass the chocolates.
8. Nutrition.  Add fruits, veggies, fish.  Remove white starch, sugar, pastry.  If you don’t know this by now, start reading.  Experiment with new recipes to keep your food fun.
9. Try turning up your workout INTENSITY.  Adding some resistance exercise(light weight lifting and bodyweight training), which is especially beneficial for anyone over 50.  Resistance exercise builds muscle and bone density.  Most over 50 RESIST resistance exercise due to education, lack of equipment and fear.  Will write more about this next week.
10. Back to ENCOURAGEMENT,  Reward yourself for every success, no matter how small.  Give yourself one day each week to “cheat” on your diet.  Please, don’t eat the whole bag of chips or entire tray of brownies that day.

Editor’s note:  after a lazy year between 2010-2011, I am happily back to my exercise discipline.  Best wishes to you on your health and happiness pursuits.

Proturismo Ensenada Events calendar highlights the major annual fiestas in Ensenada.  The Ensenada Gazette calendar provides a few more details on additional events.

Some of my redneck friends(“los intolerantes”) have a hard time with any humor poking at Uh-MYRR-uh-kuh.

Me?  I’m as lucky in the gene pool(thanks Mom & Dad) as I am in my birth location in the universe.  Cleveland?  Ummmm…backstroking that thought.

But, those of us USA baby boomers may have had the best economic and social ride ever.  I am thankful and hope more is in store.

As this caricature of USA hubris displays, how can you claim NUMERO UNO, when you haven’t even visited your competition?  USA citizens have little international travel experience compared with the rest of the developed world, per my April 2011 post.

Consider this post an invitation to Ensenada.  There is a lot more jardinería here than you might guess.

The video shows the new Garita El Chaparral entry into Tijuana.  Looks like a less complicated route may be available to get to the Scenic Road(Highway 1).

Since the San Ysidro border expansion plans were publicized two years ago, I have yet to find any information or discussion on the new southbound inspection areas on the U.S. side of the border(see red highlights on completed 2015 plan below).

I’m guessing that the Garita El Chaparral story of improving southbound crossing efficiency into Mexico is an attempt to obfuscate the expansion of Homeland Security’s powers.

Homeland Security now takes its lead from the efficiencies of the Department of Motor Vehicles.   Today, you get to wait in a long line and are treated poorly by clerks(with guns) to get back in to your country.  In 2016, you will have to wait in line to pass inspection making certain you are fit to get OUT of the USA.

• “What were you doing in the USA?”
• “How long were you in the USA?”
• “Where are you going in Mexico?”
• “What are you bringing across the border?”
• “Show me your receipts from WalMart, Costco, Home Depot and Trader Joe’s!”