Some days I wake up and pinch myself.
I am starting my sixth month in Baja and time is literally flying. The tiny village of La Mision where I now call home is far away from anything close to a city. I like it that way. Only 41 miles from the border feels like the other side of the world.
Yesterday, Tania and her husband Robert, owners of the BMI Surf Shop in Alisitos, invited me to go to Rosarito to the street market. Rosarito has a population of 70,000. La Mision has a population of 950 (951 counting me).
I am over the moon with gratitude to explore Mexico with friends. Rosarito is a busy urban center and about 30 kilometers from my village. The street market was hustling and bustling and lots of bargains to be found.
Twenty pesos is roughly a dollar. Up until now, math has not been my friend. Now I am always calculating to figure out how much I am paying. LOL
I found a new pair of sheepskin lined boots for $10 US. Woohoo! You never know what goodies you will find at the markets. It is like block after block of garage sales. My mouth starts watering while we are parking! LOL
Watching Tania at the farmer’s booths was eye popping. The first thing she told me was, “Black beans are very good for your insides, digestion.” She gestured over her belly. “But you need fresh beans.”
Fresh Beans? These are dried beans, or so I thought.
She picked up a bean, bit into it and said, “No.” Then she gave one to me to try. I bit into the little stone like bean as she directed. It tasted like a dried bean. I wasn’t sure what to taste for.
It took a couple of different farmers before she found what she was looking for. She passed me a white bean from the display. Instantly I could tell the difference.
First of all, my tooth dented the bean before it broke open. This little bit of “give” felt very different. Then, when the bean broke in my mouth, the flavor was rich and inviting. “This is fresh,” she instructed her eager student, me.
After buying the beans, she walked over to the herbs. She told me of herbs in her native Nicaragua and knew the physical properties of each. Once again, she gestured over her body as she described to me how the herbs work to improve health.
Reaching into the basket of herbs, she broke off a leaf and tasted it. She asked the farmer how to use the herb and even though in Spanish, I could pick up some of the info. She wasn’t sure of the name of the herb, but could tell by the smell and taste it was just right.
I had some “old beans” at home in the plastic bag they came in from the store. I used my herbs, onions, carrots and garlic from the market to resuscitate my beans. But, I am SO excited about what I learned and can’t wait to find some “fresh beans” for myself next time at the market. Thanks Chef Tania!
PS. Maybe you don’t think you can give away most of your life and move to a different country, but you might just surprise yourself. If your life feels tight and restricted, something has to give. Look into your eyes in the mirror and make this statement every day for one week:
“Next year on this date, I will be 100% comfortable if I am in the same environment with the same people and the same dynamics.”