MTY - DAY - 2

Today I went on a tour around Monterrey with Diana and Raul (the people I hung out with the previous night.) After a little bit of confusion what I thought was a full day tour of a number of sites that would be visited (and the Spaniard's confusion as well) was an all day excursion to one of the listed trips via Tours In Monterrey. Each tour was more or less in a different direction and with traffic not humanly possible to hit all the points of interest.

So with the recommendation of the guide we picked an all day excursion to Grutas de Garcia AKA Garcia's Caves, which included stops to

• Parque Grutas de García
• Casa de Rosa Museo de Arte Popular
• Lunch -- Restaurante Icamole
  
• Museo el Ojo
  
• Panadería

MTY - DAY - 1

I woke up early today, but between yesterdays lack of sleep and lack of coffee, I felt horrible.  Took a couple of advil and crawled back into bed.   I woke up the second time ~noonish local time, got cleaned up and headed to the mall.  Found a Starbucks, so got myself a Venti Americano (Espresso Americano, in local speak). and a tarta de mora (a custard cream tart with blackberries).  Strolled around the mall a little more while I decided what's for lunch.

They must have been saying Bienvenidas á México to the Canadian, because, I walked into a toy store, Nickleback was playing…a music store,Celine Dion…and a clothing store was Brian Adams.  Picked up an order of Tacos Norteños at the Arrachera House, now that I'm feed I'm good to go.  I received an SMS, and was asked if I wanted to hook up with a group that is here, in Monterrey, from Spain for the wedding.  I had already eaten, but I'll join them anyway.  Time to put my spanish to the test.

YEG -> MTY

This year I'm heading to Monterrey Mexico, for a number of functions, a baptism, and a wedding!! Here is a running commentary on this years migration south.

My flight is at 06:45 in the O'my-gawd-it's-early-clock, I sometimes forget that the day has two six o'clocks!! Set my alarm for 04:00, and the backup for 04:30, but I woke up each hour, and then at 4:00 fell asleep!! Good thing for the backup alarm, but now there is no time for a coffee, or a shower.  Catch a cab to YEG and get there with "plenty" of time.

Deadliest Warrior is back.

I'm glad to see the Spike TV has a new season of Deadliest Warrior. First couple episodes

• Swat vs SGS-9
• Attila the Hun vs Alexander the Great

I look forward to what the season brings.

More Later...
G.

Accent European Lounge -- Yum!

The other day my girlfriend and I went to Accent - European Lounge just off Whyte Avenue here in Edmonton.  Nice atmosphere and a nice variety of dishes.  We had Bacon Wrapped Lobster, Smoked Salmon, and Hummus.  All were appetizers, which made for a nice light supper with a Czech Beer, and a bottle of San Pellegrino mineral water.

Bacon Wrapped Lobster, need I say more!!  We got a single order of this delightful treat, pieces of lobster, wrapped in bacon, served on toast with a white butter sauce.  A nice alternative to bacon wrapped scallops.  Note: we should have got the double!


Smoked Salmon, was nice, and was served with some asparagus wrapped with serrano ham, as well as the usual red onion and capers.

The hummus was interesting.  It was served warm and served with a muddler, and you mashed the chic peas in the ramekin.  The hummus was served with a variety or toasted rustic breads and pita chips.  Very nice.
We will be going back to try some of the faire on the menu...

More Later...
G