Viva la Mexico!

So I went down to Nogales, AZ and the intent was NOT to go down to Mexico because of the increased violence there.  The first night that I arrived, my coworker took me down to the port to show me around.  She took me to the employee parking lot and you could see right through the fence into Mexico!

After I looked into Mexico and did not see live gun-fire, I decided it might not be that bad to visit after all.  

So we walked over to Mexico on my last day in Nogales.  It was way different than the US.  I literally waltzed into their country...no document check or anything!  Immediately you are surrounded by vendors trying to convince you to by their things.  It was bizarre how you would tell them what you are looking for and they would run off to find it and bring it back to you!  Talk about customer service! 

We went down to Mexico the day before Mexican independence day and it was very cool to see the vendors setting up for the big celebration.  It looked like they were going to have a blast.  Of course, I was suckered into getting some patriotic things for Julia.  They had some cool red, green and white drums with different cartoon characters on top.  I was pretty bummed that I only saw Disney Princesses and Dora but never fear!  Once I told the lady that I was looking for Spiderman, she found me one!  Now Julia is the proud owner of a Mexican, Spiderman drum :)

After doing a little shopping, we went to an amazing restaurant called La Roca.  The restaurant is in a cave that was once used as a jail.  They say that the restaurant next to La Roca (that was destroyed in a fire but also set in a cave) was used to imprison Geronimo. 

This is the place that I had chicken mole.  It was delicious!  It's made with chocolate and it was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.  I bought some pre-made mole sauce from a grocery store in AZ and I'm hoping it will be just as good.  One of my coworkers ordered coconut shrimp from La Roca and it was the most decadent coconut shrimp I have ever had!  There was at least a stick of butter for each shrimp.

Sooo yummy! 

Is it wrong to plan another trip to Mexico just for the food?

~Andrea

Notes from Nogales

Good Evening!  It's been a wild week in Nogales, AZ!  I went for a business trip to meet fellow coworkers in our satellite office and to see how the land border operates.  It's the WILD west for sure!  I saw more action in the three days I was down in Nogales than I saw in two years at Dulles.


The aftermath of an attempted drug smuggling

It was truly amazing seeing the CBP officers and Border Patrol Agents doing their thing on the southwest border.  They have my full and total respect for the jobs they do every day.

Out with BP at the International Fence

The next best thing about my trip was the food.  My coworkers made fun of me the whole time for taking pictures of my food haha.  Here's some highlights:

Mexican BBQ pork on sweet bread with mild sauce and cream

Chicken Mole

Ahi Tuna with Cowboy Caviar

I was instructed as soon as I was picked up from the airport that there was not going to be any dieting while on "vacation."  I thought I was on a business trip but I decided not to argue and just eat whatever was placed before me.  One of the best meals that I had I actually did not document.  It was a Sonoran-style hot dog.  You take a hot dog, wrap it in bacon, put it in sweet Mexican bread and top it off with refried beans, chopped onions, mild sauce and Mexican cream.  Beyond delicious!

I have successfully gained five pounds but tomorrow starts a whole new week!  I look forward to getting back to my normal eats and also doing some running.  Oh yeah, my Maymont 8-mile run is this weekend!!!!!  I'm pretty excited about it.  I'm looking to complete it in under 88 minutes.  I can do it :)

What's your best vacation?

~Andrea