Mexico-First Impressions

PDC- Playa del Carmen
Playa Mamitas (beach)
09:30AM CST 11.01 11 (26 C)

Day 01 Sol, ceviche, muchas cervesas
Day 02 Sol, ceviche, muchas cervesas
day 03 Burnt/brown, ceviche, muchas cervesas
Day 04 Burnt brown, oh god, i think my insides are pickled (ceviche), muchas cervesas
Day 05 Burnt/brown, pickled insides, pickled head (muchas cervesas)
Day 06, 07... keveen ees comfortably numb. Si!

I really must admit to coming here with only modest expectations. I mean, resort towns tend to be , well, resort towns. Playa, is a bit of a pleasant little surprise.
The beach is quite simply awesome! Always ranked among the top ten in the world, it's easy to see why. Bigger surprise however, Mexicans on the beach. Families, couples, singles, seemingly all classes and means. It was refreshing for me to see so many local people on the beach and working in the businesses. It may seem obvious, but I have been to many places where this is not the norm. I find all this to be much more equitable and to my liking.
Avendia 5- pedestrian- touristy- oh yeah! But with a splash of the local color. Chains, yes there are some here, but much more local business than I expected. Pricey, oh yeah! Can be. But it's mixed and go a block or two off Av 5 and it gets real, real fast. Real Mexican (Mayan). Real cheap. This is what I'm lookin' for.
Little resturant Dona Mary, personal recomendation of the staff at the Hotel Luna Blue, a perfect example. Outdoor patio only, 20h, we're the only gringoes in the house but no "hey, gringoes in the house" looks. Just lotsa ordinary folks having good food and a good time.
Me- a homemade tamale in bannana leaf, a sabulte (sort of a chicken tostada) and a killer chicken/cheese empanada. Sandy- a tamale, two sabultes. With two "cocas" Mex$82. That's less than US$10! Unbelivable! And so real. So many of these little places, so little time.
We're in the Playa Norte (little Italy). A lot of Italians and other Europeans winter here, therefore, a lot of Italian resturants. Shop carefully on 5th and you'll find great food that won't break the bank. Last night Sandy want's comfort food, and tonight that means pasta. A little open patio resturant on the corner of Calle 26 & Av 5, just above our hotel fits the bill nicely. Atmospheric, good food and cheap (for 5th) at US$45. Cafe seating, me streetside and who should I spot walking by but Chef Jaques Pepin. He's got a place here in Playa, so no surprise I guess. I nodded, he nodded. Yep, we're old buds now.
A word of caution to my wine loving friends, it's here and boy is it expensive. I'm sure there's a big import duty on wine, and, you know my mantra. Eat locally, drink locally. Drink wine in wine making countries and beer where they make beer. The beer here is excellent, cheap and, hey, it goes with the food really well.
About that ceviche! It's raw fish, shrimp, conch or octopus "cooked" in lime juice with onions, tomatoes and cilantro. Oh my god, this stuff is "crack" seafood and man I am so addicted. Lunch now for 6 days and counting, and, can't see me stoppin' any time soon.
More adventures just around the corner

TBC.......