Last updated on February 21, 2010
Happy Sunday all! I’m going out of contact for the next week but have some stories lined up from recent and past travels—I won’t be responding to comments until I get back from a certain place in the Caribbean that I’m *not* visiting (wink, wink), but don’t let that stop you from sharing thoughts and stories, I’ll be reading them all next weekend :-)
Current Vegetarian Mexican Food Situation
As for the current moment, I’ve been in Mexico for four days now and concluded that I’m going to be eating the same basic handful of foods for the next three months. I knew that Central and South America were heavily meat eating cultures, but somehow I wasn’t anticipating the amount of fried foods, mushrooms, and cheese that I would consume!
Add that to the basic beans and rice and you have a pretty clear picture of my current diet. Finding a beautiful taco with fresh is a rarity right now!
On a very big up side, it’s all been incredibly tasty! And the deserts are excellent; I’ve fallen for the churros here—the churros, and the charming young girl selling the churros who knows that my Spanish is still rusty and yet still can’t manage to slow down enough for us to clearly communicate beyond the basic transaction and some of my bumbling attempts to make conversation.
As for the churros, I know that I have access to them in the states, but only now have I fully discovered the joy of ending each day with a bag full of hot and cinnamon-y fried goodness.
The backpacker side of Cancun is distinctly different than the resort areas, the hostels are right in the middle of a mostly Mexican neighborhood so all of the food is cheap and plentiful—about two dollars buys a complete meal of the most mind-blowingly awesome quesadillas—unlike in the States, these messy tacos and quesadillas are filled to the brim and then loaded up with sour cream, cheese, and a wide range of salsas, onions, and pico.
My first foodie lesson? Ask about the salsas before I dive in and slather it all over my food. Although I’m pretty proud of my tolerance for spicy foods, the colorful green and red salsas can be incredibly deceiving. The red salsa at one vendor was solo un poco picante (only a bit spicy) similar looking salsa elsewhere had my forehead perspiring while my lips went a bit numb on the inside and my nose started dripping.
Fun times.
And Now, the Promised Haiku
I’ve been off the road for a good four months now and was gladdened to know that some things never change…no matter what country I’m in, I continually discover the joys of the cold shower.
Ode to the Cold Shower
Spray drizzling weakly
Fleeting, I dash in and out
Wet kisses tingle.
I have pretty much gotten used to it – cold is the norm..it's a fun bonus
day when it's hot! :-)
I have to say that I love your Ode to the cold Shower. I'm one of those people who would check the cold shower right away when I arrive at the hotel.
I have pretty much gotten used to it – cold is the norm..it's a fun bonus
day when it's hot! :-)
I have to say that I love your Ode to the cold Shower. I'm one of those people who would check the cold shower right away when I arrive at the hotel.
Thanks for the warning on the beans…I really have just learned to let that
battle go some days and no longer ask very often when I am at restaurants.
:-)
As for Xela, I will absolutely take that rec! I'm heading there in a couple
of weeks and will now look at that town as a shining beacon in my foodie and
trekking future!
I forgot to mention that you do have to look at the ingredients on the bags of refried beans. Some brands use animal fat to cook the beans while others are pure veg. If you are in Xela (Guatemala), stop by Quetzal Trekkers at the Argentina Hostel. They do an amazing job cooking vegetarian/vegan meals on their treks and would probably have some great suggestions for you. Really fun group of people, too. Treks are awesome as well.
Cold showers are one of those things I try to tell myself that I like so
that I deal better ;-) As for the churros – I just can't stop, there's a
little stand right around the corner from my hostel…they know me now that
I've been here a week and come multiple times a day!
Wow, those refried beans in a bag sound like they'll be my best friend soon
too – haven't seen them yet but I'll keep my eyes on the look out! :-)
I have been simply amazed by the difference Arlene! There's certainly the
stable beans and rice, but the tacos, quesadillas and other foods are really
so different!
I've only heard tough things about South America – but you're so right – the
markets make up for the fact that it can be so hard to find street food,
some of the veggies are just gorgeous! :-)
Lol! Very true, you have to wonder how anyone can build up the taste buds to
handle those explosive ones. ;-)
Thanks Anil! Aruba was great ;-)
Thanks for the sentiments Andy, I'm back and you'll be hearing my thoughts
on the place once I get back to the States – it was a pretty interesting
visit all in all though – completely different from what I was expecting.
:-)
Look at you commenting on here – it's been a while! :-)
Howdy Howdy
Look at you commenting on here – it's been a while! :-)
Howdy Howdy
I was introduced to churros in Mexico City. Sooo goood.
I can't deal with cold showers.
Cold showers are one of those things I try to tell myself that I like so
that I deal better ;-) As for the churros – I just can't stop, there's a
little stand right around the corner from my hostel…they know me now that
I've been here a week and come multiple times a day!
I was introduced to churros in Mexico City. Sooo goood.
I can't deal with cold showers.
We met a vegan traveling around Central America for about a year. I wondered how he survived, but he was fine with pasta & beans/rice every day. I guess if you have enough condiments and salsas you can make anything edible! Food in Guatemala is pretty good, but I'm afraid it drops off after that in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The refried beans in a bag with a pile of tortillas and bottle of hot sauce became our best friend sometimes when we couldn't take more fried chicken or some other fried thing. Have fun where you are now!!
Wow, those refried beans in a bag sound like they'll be my best friend soon
too – haven't seen them yet but I'll keep my eyes on the look out! :-)
I forgot to mention that you do have to look at the ingredients on the bags of refried beans. Some brands use animal fat to cook the beans while others are pure veg. If you are in Xela (Guatemala), stop by Quetzal Trekkers at the Argentina Hostel. They do an amazing job cooking vegetarian/vegan meals on their treks and would probably have some great suggestions for you. Really fun group of people, too. Treks are awesome as well.
Thanks for the warning on the beans…I really have just learned to let that
battle go some days and no longer ask very often when I am at restaurants.
:-)
As for Xela, I will absolutely take that rec! I'm heading there in a couple
of weeks and will now look at that town as a shining beacon in my foodie and
trekking future!
We met a vegan traveling around Central America for about a year. I wondered how he survived, but he was fine with pasta & beans/rice every day. I guess if you have enough condiments and salsas you can make anything edible! Food in Guatemala is pretty good, but I'm afraid it drops off after that in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The refried beans in a bag with a pile of tortillas and bottle of hot sauce became our best friend sometimes when we couldn't take more fried chicken or some other fried thing. Have fun where you are now!!
Welcome to Mexico!
I've run into the same issue here with finding non-meat items…but you can always order vegetarian huaraches, tostadas and sopes at any local place…the people working at the restaurant will think you're weird but will make it for you nonetheless and they offer a nice change of pace, at least in form, from quesadillas!
Another option is the restaurant 100% Natural – prices are more in the $6 – $8 range for meals but it is as close to a vegetarian paradise as you'll find anywhere in Mexico. Its well worth a visit! It's centrally located and anyone will know where it is.
I was actually just in Cancun this past weekend!
I'll have to remember 'wet kisses' next time I am cursing a cold shower! ;)
This was fun. Yep, it is amazing when you get the real deal rather than what is passed of for authentic Mexican food and the chains in the States.
I have been simply amazed by the difference Arlene! There's certainly the
stable beans and rice, but the tacos, quesadillas and other foods are really
so different!
Welcome to Mexico!
I've run into the same issue here with finding non-meat items…but you can always order vegetarian huaraches, tostadas and sopes at any local place…the people working at the restaurant will think you're weird but will make it for you nonetheless and they offer a nice change of pace, at least in form, from quesadillas!
Another option is the restaurant 100% Natural – prices are more in the $6 – $8 range for meals but it is as close to a vegetarian paradise as you'll find anywhere in Mexico. Its well worth a visit! It's centrally located and anyone will know where it is.
I was actually just in Cancun this past weekend!
it´s hard to be a vegetarian in South America (I live in Brazil) if you live here, let alone visiting… the good thing is there´s lot´s of fresh fruits and vegetables! can you find those easily in markets in Mexico?
I've only heard tough things about South America – but you're so right – the
markets make up for the fact that it can be so hard to find street food,
some of the veggies are just gorgeous! :-)
This was fun. Yep, it is amazing when you get the real deal rather than what is passed of for authentic Mexican food and the chains in the States.
Some spices are really so strong you wonder what they're really used for; food or explosives..
Lol! Very true, you have to wonder how anyone can build up the taste buds to
handle those explosive ones. ;-)
it´s hard to be a vegetarian in South America (I live in Brazil) if you live here, let alone visiting… the good thing is there´s lot´s of fresh fruits and vegetables! can you find those easily in markets in Mexico?
Some spices are really so strong you wonder what they're really used for; food or explosives..
Yay Cuba! That is where I'm from.
Cuban food is most definitely not vegan/veggie friendly. It's been a challenge for my many vegan friends in Portland to try out the food of my people, but some rice and beans, fried plantains, maduros (everybody's favorite), and an eggplant munyeta usually does the trick.
Food in Cuba is pretty bland for obvious reasons, if you're not sticking to resort areas which I assume you aren't. Miami would be the best place to really try it out. Have fun!
Thanks for the sentiments Andy, I'm back and you'll be hearing my thoughts
on the place once I get back to the States – it was a pretty interesting
visit all in all though – completely different from what I was expecting.
:-)
Have a great vacation in Jamaica or Aruba, all good ol' legal places for Americans to spend money ;)
Thanks Anil! Aruba was great ;-)
The next time my running water goes out for a week, or my always cold shower gets reduced to a pathetic drizzle aimed right at the shower wall, I will have to write it a poem. Have fun in the sun!
I think you should! It makes it all a little more fun ;-) Although a week
w/out water sounds intense -you could write some awesome poetry about that!
At least you're near the ocean right? (i believe you are :-)
Yay Cuba! That is where I'm from.
Cuban food is most definitely not vegan/veggie friendly. It's been a challenge for my many vegan friends in Portland to try out the food of my people, but some rice and beans, fried plantains, maduros (everybody's favorite), and an eggplant munyeta usually does the trick.
Food in Cuba is pretty bland for obvious reasons, if you're not sticking to resort areas which I assume you aren't. Miami would be the best place to really try it out. Have fun!
Have a great vacation in Jamaica or Aruba, all good ol' legal places for Americans to spend money ;)
I think you should! It makes it all a little more fun ;-) Although a week
w/out water sounds intense -you could write some awesome poetry about that!
At least you're near the ocean right? (i believe you are :-)
The next time my running water goes out for a week, or my always cold shower gets reduced to a pathetic drizzle aimed right at the shower wall, I will have to write it a poem. Have fun in the sun!