Last updated by at .

Travel Photo Thursday: Table Mountain

Table Mountain was not on our itinerary, not for that gorgeous day. After an emotionally charged visit to Robben Island, all we wanted to do was have a meal and take a nap.

But Ian, our guide, insisted. The weather was perfect, he said. There was no guarantee we’d have another one, best to take advantage. If the clouds came in, visibility on Table Mountain would be reduced. I know this mountain, he said. You only have five days, why wait for tomorrow when you could see something else? We’re so close.

We insisted. We huddled among ourselves. We were adamant. We didn’t want a tour guide to commandeer our vacation. After all, for more than a week, we’d had people telling us what to do and when do it. And after Cape Town, we’d have another tour guide shepherding us around. Independent people, we wanted our freedom or a least a little latitude.

I can’t remember now what Ian said that clinched it. But I’m glad he didn’t give up. It was the best decision we made that day. As it turned out, it rained all day the next day and for several days after that, Table mountain looked as if a crisp white tablecloth had been spread over it.

View of Cape Town from Table Mountain

From that moment, we never objected to anything Ian recommended.

Tasty Thursdays: July 4th Jerk

Jerk is both a style of cooking and the mix of spices used to make jerk. It is a very popular way of cooking in Jamaica that has grown from chicken to pork, fish, sausage, tofu, lobster, etc.

My earliest memories of jerk was of a man who used to sell jerk chicken door-to-door on his

Little Ochie Jerk Lobster – Maynefoto

bicycle. Back then, making jerk was an elaborate affair – it was always slow-cooked in the open over pimento wood, which gave it a distinct flavor. Jerk all but disappeared in the 1960s but it saw a huge resurgence in the 1970s when some enterprising chefs duplicated the sauce and made it available in bottles and packages.

Thanks to Jamaicans abroad who wish for a taste of home, jerk has gone international.

At home, especially in tourist areas, jerk is big business but, as you’d expect, it’s been watered down considerably to accommodate those who are averse to the peppery jerk taste. (Earlier this year, I wrote a post, Jamaica-In Search of the Real Jerk about finding authentic jerk in Jamaica.)

Peppery or not, jerk is still a delicious way to cook. You can bet it’ll be on the menu this weekend at many July 4th barbecues.

Here are two recipes to try.

Stir-Fried Caribbean Vegetables with Jerk Tofu

I discovered this recipe a few years ago. It is one of my favorites and disappears pretty quickly whenever I make it.

Ingredients

1 tbsp Walkerswood Jerk Marinade or Jerk Seasoning (you can substitute any jerk seasoning from the supermarket or the one below)

2 tbsp palm, peanut, sesame or soy oil

500 g/1lb. firm tofu, cubed

1 onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Oil, for frying

For the vegetables:

About 1kg/2 lbs. total of any combination of carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, green cabbage, pak choy, sweet peppers and/or broccoli

Directions

Mix together jerk seasoning and oil, add to tofu and marinate for at least an hour (preferably overnight).

Heat the frying oil in a wok or suitable skillet. Deep fry the tofu cubes for 3-5 minutes and reserve. Pour out most of the oil and stir-fry the onion and garlic; then begin to add the other vegetables, hardest first. Cook very lightly; then add the tofu and stir in gently until hot. Serve immediately.

Serves 4. Preparation time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour (or up to overnight) marinating plus 10 minutes cooking.

Jerk Tofu recipe courtesy of Walkerswood Caribbean Kitchen by Virginia Burke.


David’s Jerk Chicken

Ingredients

½ cup Jerk Rub*

1 onion, finely chopped

1 Scotch bonnet pepper, minced

Leaves from 1 fresh thyme sprig, minced

2 scallions, including green parts, finely chopped

1 chicken (3 to 3 ½ pounds), cut into serving pieces

Directions

Mix together the jerk seasoning, onion, pepper, thyme and scallions. Rub the chicken well all over with the jerk rub. Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

Prepare a low fire in a charcoal grill using a combination of charcoal and pimento wood. (If you don’t have pimento wood, substitute applewood or hickory, or build a fire with just charcoal. If you’re using a gas grill, preheat it to 225° to 250°F.

Place the chicken on the grill and cook, covered, for 1 to 1 ½ hours, turning every 10 minutes or so. When it’s done, the chicken will take on a very dark color, the juices will run clear when the meat is pierced, and the internal temperature will have reached 160°F.

*Jerk Chicken Rub

1 onion, finely chopped

½ cup finely chopped scallions, including green parts

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground Jamaican allspice

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

4-6 Scotch Bonnet or habanero peppers, minced fine

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, combine all the ingredients and grind to a paste. Store leftover paste in the refrigerator in a tightly closed jar for about 1 month.

Makes about 1 cup; enough for 406 pounds of meat

Jerk Chicken recipe courtesy of Jerk from Jamaica by Helen Willinsky

Enjoy your 4th!

 

Harlem’s Backyard Gems

“Harlem’s Backyard Gems is my entry into TBEX Blog Carnival Contest sponsored by Choice Hotels International Services Corp.

When I decided to move to New York in the late 90s, the only place I wanted to live in was Harlem. I imagined myself in a brownstones like the one of a family friend I visited in the 1970s that became symbolic of this historic neighborhood. With sweeping steps that led to beautifully hand-crafted double doors it seemed to welcome everyone in.

But brownstones are just one of many things Harlem is known for. Formerly a Dutch village, Harlem got its name from the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands. It was also once the second largest Jewish community in the U.S. and home to a large population of Italians.

Continue reading “Harlem’s Backyard Gems”

Is a Tour Bus Right for You?

A tour bus gives visitors the option to disembark and re-embark at designated

Is a tour bus right for you?
London tour bus

points, makes it easy to cover a lot of territory while on vacation.  With knowledgeable guides and pre-recorded information available in several different languages, taking a tour bus also offers a quick overview of points of interest along the way.

But is a tour bus tour right for you? It depends.

If walking around a new city makes you nervous or uncomfortable, if a semi-structured tour is more your speed or if you don’t have much time, then a tour bus tour is your best option.

If you’re like me, however, and you like to be on your own schedule, wander around, stop, take photos, talk to people, don’t mind getting lost, etc., then a tour bus tour might not be your cup of tea.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve taken a tour bus tour. When I’m in a new place, I want to explore, preferably on foot. So a tour bus, for me, is like an expensive cab ride.

But after walking for what seemed like hours in both London and Paris, I decided to hop on a bus so I could cover a bit more territory. In London, the tour bus tour I selected was led by a pleasant and knowledgeable guide who had us laughing at his sometimes corny anecdotes. However, not even that kept me on longer than the first leg. The same thing happened in Paris.

What I learned from my brief tour bus experiences

  1. Get on the bus early. Typically, tickets for tour buses are valid for 48 hours from time of purchase – they are time-stamped. The earlier you start, the more you’ll get to see. (It’d be interesting to find out how many people do take advantage of the full 48 hours.)
  2. Plan your route carefully. You don’t want to have to loop back.
  3. Pick a seat on the top deck. Weather permitting and if you don’t mind heights, select a bus with an upper level. It’s a whole different experience seeing a city from one story up.
  4. If you want photos (and who doesn’t?), choose a seat at the front of the upper level or take a tour bus with few people on top. That way, you’ll (hopefully) avoid other people’s heads when you go for that all important shot. Unfortunately, if you’re sitting in any other seat and you’re not quick, by the time you get into position and line up the shot, the bus has moved on or someone or something else is in your way.
  5. If you decide to leave the tour bus early, pick a spot that has a lot of different attractions or is well-populated.
  6. Know when and where the last tour for the bus you’re on finishes and avoid being stuck too far away from anyplace you’re familiar with.
  7. Consider taking a tour bus to get a general orientation of a place, then explore on foot the following day.

A tour bus is a great way to get the lay of the land. But walking allows you more freedom to see the sights, interact with people and adds new layers to the memories you’re creating.

A few of my missed tour bus shots.

[nggallery id=3]

 

Soulful Sundays: Adele

Every summer, a song captures my imagination and becomes my personal anthem. Adele’s Rolling in the Deep did it for me this year.

The song is catchy and soulful.

Singer songwriter Adele, was born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins in England in 1988. Like several singers today, she was discovered after XL Records found her songs on MySpace. Since then, she’s won several awards including Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Take a listen to Rolling in the Deep.

[youtube]rYEDA3JcQqw[/youtube]

 

Songwriters: EPWORTH, PAUL / ADKINS, ADELE

Rolling in the Deep

There’s a fire starting in my heart,

Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark.

Finally, I can see you crystal clear,

Go ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your ship bare,

See how I’ll leave with every piece of you,

Don’t underestimate the things that I will do.

 

There’s a fire starting in my heart,

Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bring me out the dark.

 

The scars of your love remind me of us,

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,

I can’t help feeling,

 

We could have had it all,

Rolling in the deep,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

Baby, I have no story to be told,

But I’ve heard one on you and I’m gonna make your head burn,

Think of me in the depths of your despair,

Making a home down there as mine sure won’t be shared,

 

The scars of your love remind me of us,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

I can’t help feeling,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

We could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

Could have had it all,

Rolling in the deep,

You had my heart inside of your hand,

But you played it with a beating.

Throw your soul through every open door,

Count your blessings to find what you look for.

Turn my sorrow into treasured gold,

You’ll pay me back in kind and reap just what you’ve sown.

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

We could have had it all,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all.

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me),

It all, it all, it all.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me

But you played it,

You played it,

You played it to the beat.

Rolling In The Deep lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Courtesy of www.lyricsmode.com

 

Writing to me is…

Writing to me is like using playdoh. When I write, I play with words, string them together, like a necklace to make beautiful sentences.

Writing to me is like using the color wheel. Nouns are blue, verbs are red, adjectives are indigo, adverbs are orange, prepositions are violet, articles are brown, conjunctions are green, and interjections are yellow.

Writing to me is music. When done right, the words flow together and create harmony.

Writing to me is fun when the words tumble out in exactly the order in which I imagine them.

Writing to me is like drawing pictures with words.

Writing to me is a way to slow down and rationalize my thoughts. Sometimes, jumbled thoughts become untangled; fleeting ideas become anchored to the page.

Writing to me is something I do all day, everyday.

Writing to me is easy. Most times.

Writing to me is like reading out loud, relishing the sounds the words make.

Writing to me is rewriting. Often.

Writing to me is poetry.

Writing to me is, preferably, pen on paper. But it’s never just black and white.

Writing to me like breathing. I don’t know how I’d be if I couldn’t write.

Writing it down - Maynefoto

What does writing mean to you?

Share your thoughts and take a minute to check out what writing means to my other Blog-A-Licious buddies:

1. Paula – http://hardlineselfhelp.com/

2. Stuart – http://bornstoryteller.wordpress.com/

3. Karen – http://karenvwasylowski.blogspot.com/

4. DK Levick – http://dklevick.wordpress.com/

5. Shannon – http://reflectionandreview.com/

6. Corinne – http://www.everydaygyaan.com/

7. Sonia – http://soniarumzi.com/

8. Sulekha – http://sulekkha.blogspot.com/

9. Dora – http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/

10. Sarah – http://sarahbutland.com/blog/

12. Roy – http://royd-spiltmilk.blogspot.com/

13. Janki – http://janukulkarni.blogspot.com/

14. Tina – http://tinahoggatt.wordpress.com/

15. Thelma – http://widowsphere.blogspot.com/

16. Dora – http://blogaliciousblogs.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

I Didn’t Even Get a Croissant! Ten Things I Wish I’d Done in Paris

Okay, so eating a croissant wasn’t really on my list of things to do in Paris. But I had envisioned a much different trip than the one I actually had.

In the trip I imagined, I’d spend a week in Paris, visit a few friends and all the must-see spots, the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, etc., then make my way to Bordeaux, the wine region, and Saint-Émilion in search of the Château Grand Mayne. (About 10 years ago, I discovered a Bordeaux with my name on it. I was so excited, I bought a case! Visiting a place that had my name was high on my list.)

At some point, I’d travel to Lons le Saunier, to visit ma petite soeur, Murielle, and her family. I was looking forward so much to seeing the French countryside that I’d sit at my desk when I was supposed to be working and daydream about it.

But life (aka work) intervened. Instead of spending two weeks in France and two in London, I had two weeks between London and Paris. I could manage only three days in Paris. It wouldn’t be enough — I like to spend my time, slowly peeling back layers and discovering a new place — but it’d have to do.

Lines outside the Musée d'Orsay

Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of my three days but it went by so fast, if I didn’t have photos, I’d think it had been a dream.

I’ve been reflecting on the dream and all the things I didn’t get a chance to see or do in Paris, and I made a list:

  1. Sunset Cruise on the Seine Bateaux Parisiens offers dinner, nighttime and private cruises on the Seine that leave from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
  2. La Sainte-Chapelle – I don’t consider myself a very religious person but looking at cathedrals always humbles me. Located at Île de la Cité, this Gothic Cathedral was consecrated in 1248. It has been a national historic monument since 1862.
  3. Église Saint-Suplice – The second largest church in Paris.
  4. Moulin Rouge – Home of the can-can, the Moulin Rouge has been around since the late 1800s. Artists from Edith Piaf to Josephine Baker have performed there.
  5. Montmartre – The bohemian place that played host to artists like Picasso, Dali, Modgiliani, Monet and others.
  6. La Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre – The Basilica is located in Montmartre, the highest point of the city.
  7. Musée d’Orsay – I wanted to visit this elegant former train station turned gallery for Western art but after standing in line at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, I couldn’t muster up the energy for another line.
  8. Montparnasse – I have created my own (highly romanticized) narrative about what living in Montparnasse must have been like for artists such as Jean Rhys, Madox Ford, Henry Miller, Salvador Dali, Jean Miró, Diego Rivera and many others who made it their home. I wanted to walk in their footsteps.
  9. Château de Versailles – One of the largest palaces in the world, it is the location where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.
  10. Luxembourg Palace and Luxembourg Gardens – Built between 1615 and 1627 for Marie de Medici, the widow of Henry IV, the Luxembourg Palace is home of the French Senate. Wonder how difficult it must be to have to work there? I’ll never know!

The trip I took was an appetizer. I’m ready now for a more leisurely and elaborate feast with ten (or more) reasons to return to Paris.

Tasty Thursdays: Tapas

I love tapas and go to tapas bars every so often, especially in the summer.

What are tapas? Tapas are canapes or appetizers or small snacks that originated in Spain. They can be served hot or cold. There are tapas bars all over Spain and now all over the U.S.

I found a tapas restaurant near the London Eye and was surprised to see oxtail tapas. Of course, I had to try it. I was not disappointed.

Oxtail tapas

Whenever I have friends over, I usually make several different tapas. Two of my favorites are Prawns and Bacon and Ceviche. Tapas pretty simple to make and always go very quickly. Here are the recipe for both, courtesy of spain-recipes.com:

Prawns and Bacon Tapas

Ingredients

  • 5 oz jamon or thinly sliced bacon
  • 24 medium to large uncooked, headless prawns, peeled
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 lemons, quartered

Preparation

Cut the bacon (or jamon, if using it) into pieces, which you will wrap generously round the prawns. Place the wrapped prawns down flat on a board and skewer them through the fattest part of the tail, making sure the jamón is firmly fixed. Season generously and drizzle with the oil.

On a high heat, griddle, grill or barbecue the prawn and bacon brochettes for 2-3 minutes on each side, so the jamón crisps up. Alternatively, roast in a hot oven (425ºF) on an oiled baking tray for 8-10 minutes. Squeeze the juice of the lemon and garnish with lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

 

Ceviche Tapas

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb halibut, turbot, sea bass or salmon fillets, skinned
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • 1-2 fresh red chillies, seeded and very finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt

For the garnish

  • 4 large firm tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced
  • 1 ripe advocado, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon fresh coriander leaves

Preparation

Cut the fish into strips measuring about 2 x 1/2 inch. Lay these in a shallow dish and pour over the lime juice, turning the fish strips to coat them all over in the juice. Cover with a clear film (plastic wrap) and leave for 1 hour.

Mix all the garnish ingredients, except the coriander, together. Set aside.

Season the fish with salt and scatter over the chillies. Drizzle with the oil, Toss the fish in the mixture, then replace the cover. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes more.

To serve, divide the garnish among six plates. Spoon the ceviche, sprinkle with coriander, and serve.

 

Enjoy!

I’ve Been Nominated for a Fistful of Blog Awards!

My blog buddy, Elizabeth at Mirth and Motivation nominated me for not just one but three blog awards. I’m stoked!

Elizabeth is a blogger I admire and respect. Each of her posts are thoughtful and thought provoking. For her to nominate me for a blog award is an honor.

So which blog awards did Elizabeth nominate me for?

Well, I received the Versatile Blogger Award, the Stylish Blogger Award and the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award.

Each award comes with a few responsibilities.

  1. Send a thank you and link back to the blogger who nominated you.
  2. Share 7 things about yourself.
  3. Pass the award on to 10 Versatile/Irresistibly Sweet/Stylish bloggers.
  4. Contact each blogger that you’ve nominated and tell them about the blog award

Thank you, Elizabeth. You’ve made my day!

Seven things about me?

  1. I’d love to get a role (or be an extra) in the next Bond flick. I’ve seen every Bond movie, many times over but they never get stale. Sean Connery is my favorite Bond; Daniel Craig my second favorite and a worthy successor. All the others – Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan – were just placeholders for Craig, a man who can deliver a punch as effectively as he can receive one.
  2. I daydream of leaving my job and traveling around the world. An around-the-world trek would satisfy the nomad in me. But not just that, it’d allow me to meet people from all over, see and experience different cultures, try different foods.
  3. The only time I’ve bartended was at a wedding. I’d never bartended before but it was fun. The guests were very understanding when I told them it was my first time. (I made sure the drinks were nice and strong.)
  4. My favorite color is red. It’s the color I reach for most often but especially on dreary days. It makes me feel bold, daring, wild.
  5. Being near water soothes me. Whether it’s a lake or a pool or an ocean, there’s something about water that just soothes me.
  6. I used to be a teacher. I’ve taught Spanish to eleven- and twelve-year olds, Math and Reading to at-risk children, and principles of business to adults.
  7. I hate chocolate. It doesn’t matter if it’s white or black, I can smell it a mile away

In no particular order, the Versatile/Stylish/Irresistible Blog Awards go to…..

Drumroll, please!

  • Colorful Footsteps – Sherry’s planning a solo trip around the world which will hopefully take her to all seven continents.
  • Totsy – Totsy Mae’s a writer, reader, visual artist, graphic designer and a mom.
  • The Black Twig – Dahlia’s a bookworm, aspiring writer/traveler, sociology and international relations graduate and blogger
  • Imported Chocolate – Check out Jennifer’s travel vlog for helpful tips.
  • A View to a Thrill – Renee shows how to sample the world at a fraction of the cost.
  • WhosWorld – Roxanne’s a New Yorker who’s now teaching in China.
  • Bacon is Magic – Ayngelina left her job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America.
  • GypsyRoseLee – The Bond girl who never signed on.
  • To Write is to Write – Kathy is a former teacher, former librarian, former paralegal, and former pianist. Now, she’s an author and blogger.
  • Cultivated Style – William blogs about culture, style, music and has his sights set on working in the music industry

Thanks to all these bloggers who inspire me everyday, and again, to Elizabeth for nominating me for a blog award.