AdventureDad

Daniel’s birthday is not until end of February but since we got lots of family in Mexico we decided to throw a little party for him.  We asked Sandra’s uncle Mario if we could do it at his place since the house is huge, gorgeous, and has plenty of outdoor space.  He was honored we asked him so the whole extended family got together for an afternoon of drinking and eating. There has been many parties a Mario’s place.  Like all Mexicans he’s extremely generous and loves to share his place with family and friends.

Every time I’m in Mexico there is some kind of family event.  The family, that should read all the men, likes to drink and eat so we always come up with some excuse for getting together.  This year most of the people living in Mexico showed up, of course with their children.  We put up a party tent in the backyard, had everyone cook a different dish, and got plenty of beer and Tequila.  I know what your thinking.  Your making ugly faces just thinking of that nasty Tequila.  That’s because you haven’t tried real Tequila.  Short Tequila lesson before we continue.  Tequila is made out of the blue Agave cactus and then flavored individually and aged for different amount of years.  It’s a bit like whiskey.  If you try a whiskey that’s been aged for just a few years it has that nasty aftertaste, almost like drinking gasoline.  Most cheap blended whiskey’s also taste like this.  But if you try a nice single malt whiskey aged ten years or more it’s a different story.  The taste is smooth and nice with little aftertaste.  It’s the same with tequila.  Forget about the cheap stuff you drank in college.  That’s the worst of the worst.  Regardless of brand the premier quality is called "Anejo".  This will be printed clearly on bottle. Any tequila of "Anejo" quality will be awesome.  There are good and unbelievable tequilas in this section. They also tend to be a bit more expensive.  Smooth taste with little if any aftertaste. No need for the ridiculous lime and salt.  Most people drink this tequila after a dinner, kind of like a cognac or a nice single malt.  To settle your stomach and relax a little. And you will NOT get a hangover.  Unless you drink a couple of bottles. The second best quality is "Reposado".  Many will taste as good or better than "Anejos" but that depends on your preference for taste and flavor.  There is usually a bit more flavor in this quality but absolutely no need for lime and salt. If you want to buy a good tequila, buy "Reposado" or "Anejo" and you wont’ be disappointed.  We never get anything else.  And I promise that you will change your mind completely about Tequila.  I can’t tell you how many people I have converted at our place in NYC or in  Stockholm.  People that swore they would never drink Tequila again  stand there with just Tequila in the glass all night long.  If you’re ever in Sweden and want to try Tequila, look me up.  I’ve got  15 bottles of nice stuff waiting for you at my bar.

You might be wondering about the worm in he bottle.  That’s a tourist thing and nothing people care about down here.  And it’s usually in a different drink called Mescal.  It has a strong and very nasty taste (a least I think so).  If you like whiskey that’s aged about five days it might be something for you otherwise I don’t recommend it.  Unless of course you want to prove how manly you are in front of all your friends:-)).

 Back to the party.  We had some delicious food cooked by the family.  Mole`, rajas, papas, plus of course tortillas and plenty of spicy sauces.  After some food and drinks it was time for the traditional breaking of the piñata.  You might  know about this weird(?) but fun tradition.  It’s very common, almost a must, during birthday parties and Christmas celebrations.  Mostly for the young children but after enough drinks the adults get into it as well.  A piñata is  made out  of paper in a figure of your choice.  It can be Snoopy, Scooby Doo, an airplane, Spiderman, a teddy bear, or pretty much anything you like.  Usually no nude mannequins unless it’s a stag night. Since it’s made out op paper it’s breakable which is kind of the whole point.  It’s filled with all kinds of candy, fruits, toys, etc. so there is a nice incentive for the kids to break it.  The piñata is held up by a cord and can be moved up, down, or sideways.  The children start swinging at the piñata  hoping to break it.  We had really weak kids or a strong piñata because it would not break even afer a couple orf rounds.  So Sandra stepped up to the plate.  But it would be too easy  to break it so we blindfold her and spun her around a few laps.  Now it’s not so easy …..  She didn’t perform so I stepped up, got blindfolded, spun around a few laps and preceded to crush it almost immediately.  All the children come running to fill up plastic bags with the best goodies they could find.  It may sounds kind of weird or cheesy but it’s a really fun party tradition, especially for the kids.

Towards the evening we retreated to Mario’s private bar upstairs.  He’s got some nice drinks there and he gave me a special treat.  I enjoy drinking nice cognac’s so he opened a bottle of Hennessy’s finest, Hennessy Paradis Extra.  The French are as you know  complete idiots but they do know how to make fine cognacs.  I have never tasted such a smooth cognac.  I’ve tried many different Hennessey’s before but none this superb. A fitting end to a very nice day. 

Cheers Mario!!  Thanks for hosting our party and always being so kind and generous!
 
 Next up, the incredible Museo del Papalote!

Categories: Daniel, Family, Travel
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