America Through My Eyes – Mexico Cruise – Part 6 (FINAL PART)

America Through My Eyes

Mexico Cruise – Part 6 (FINAL PART)

Telugu Original : Dr K.Geeta 

English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar

          We were thrilled that the “Taste of Mexico Tour” included a visit to Ensenada. Our first stop was the Civic Plaza to see statues of Mexican martyrs. By eleven o’clock, we reached the tour’s namesake destination: the “Taste of Mexico” cooking experience.

          From the outside, the venue resembled an old house, and its interior hall felt like a rustic dhaba. Stepping into the backyard, we found tables set with food and utensils just for our group. There were tomatoes, onions, garlic, knives, and cutters—and to our surprise, a small molcajete (traditional stone mortar) for each of us! Four or five other tables were already occupied in the bustling backyard.

          We started by donning the provided “Taste of Mexico” aprons. The class began with making “salsa”, Mexico’s iconic condiment. Using the small grinder, we finely minced garlic cloves until they nearly disappeared. Next, we were offered large, locally grown chili peppers of varying spice levels. Driven by curiosity, we chose the hottest one!

          After grinding the chili into a paste, we mashed tomato pulp and mixed it with onions and cilantro. We eagerly scooped the salsa with chips from the table’s center. Our chosen chili was intensely spicy—tears streamed from our eyes, but we laughed at our own daring choice.

          The second part focused on preparing bajjis (fritters) with fish, chicken, or vegetables. We mixed flour, salt, and spices in bowls, coated boneless fish or carrot slices in the batter, and lined up to fry them. Thankfully, the staff handled the frying. Since Varu was the group’s only vegetarian, her vegetable bajjis were ready first. We then queued for chicken and finally fish.

          Despite our hunger, the bajjis disappointed us. Made with bland corn flour and underseasoned with salt, they lacked flavor. We snapped a few photos, pretended to eat, and moved on. I made sure to get a picture with our instructor-chef before leaving.

          Next, we stopped for an hour of shopping at the Ensenada Market. I loved interacting with locals and buying regional crafts. The vibrant, colorful market—with goods spilling onto alley sidewalks—reminded me of Secunderabad’s General Bazaar, though less crowded. I wanted to linger, but Satya hurried me along, anxious about missing the bus back to the ship.

          At a stall, I found a hand-embroidered cotton gown for Siri. The shopkeeper, a young girl speaking broken English with a Spanish accent, quoted a price. Remembering that tourists are often overcharged, I offered half. She replied warmly, “When people like you buy, our local crafts reach America. But if I accept your price, what’s left after middlemen and costs? Your dollars let me feed meat to my children in their cornbread.” Moved, I paid her full price without hesitation. Before boarding the bus, I took a photo with our driver-guide who’d shown us the city.

          Back at the shipyard, I bought beaded bracelets at fixed-price shops. Comparing this to the gown purchase, I felt content knowing I’d directly supported the artisan girl.

          The return to Los Angeles was smooth, except for the extensive U.S. entry security checks after passport control. For the first time, we all truly understood the difference between viewing the sea from shore and living on it. As we disembarked, the children cheered, “Hurray!”—already wondering when they’d sail again.

*****

(to be continued)