Author Archives: BRYAN

INDIE GUIDE TO PUEBLA, MEXICO

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Stepping out from Mexico City’s Awesomeness, I took a 2 hours ride and arrived at Puebla. This town is beautiful, filled with many colonial architecture and great food. The most lovable things about this town is the drastic lessening of people compared of DF aka Mexico City. I love the city a lot mainly because of 3 incredible people, Mafer, Igor and Igor’s mum, Pati. Thank you so much for the hospitality and warmth. Here’s the guide!!

 

1) Mole Poblano

A dish that is made from more than 15 different spices including chili peppers and chocolate. It is usually a little more than expansive (80 Pesos) than the rest of the food because of the amount of ingredients used. Other variation of Mole can be found in Oaxaca!

La Poblana
6 Oriente Calle (Zocalo)

2) Cuexcomte

It is believe that it is smallest volcano in the world. The cool thing about it is that there is a metal staircase descending to the bottom where cultural event are being performed.

3) Pryramid of Cholula

The pyramid is easily seen around Cholula with the landmark Nuestra Señora de los Remedios church on top of it. The church can be easily climb from the foot of the hill. The view on top is absolutely breathtaking. If you are lucky, you might be able to a performance of the flying man, where 4 man climb on top of this 3 story tall pole and guide down together with a cloth tied to his legs.

4) Chapulines (Fried Grasshoppper) 

On the climb up to the church in Cholula, we have spotted some insects on the streets. After some persuasion from the abuelo, I plunge myself in into all things Mexican and try a fried grasshopper. It is actually not as slimly and disgusting as I though it would be, I enjoyed it. The girls brought a bag of grasshopper and we had a Mexican pinic at the top of the pyramid.

4) Piensa Piensa

After the picnic on the pyramid, we walked around the town of Cholula and found ourselves in a super cool shop, Piensa Piensa. The shop sells handmade 3D wooden puzzle of everything! The owner, Luis share with us that he used work in Finance. He got really tired of his job and wanted to try something new. He started learning and working with wood. One day, someone suggested to make a puzzle. One thing lead to another, his is now a famous wooden puzzle maker and his design are sold to the whole of Mexico.

He is very kind to show us his workshop and says that anyone is welcomed to use his workshop to create and play. Don’t forget to ask him about his cute little puppies 🙂

Av Morelos #405 , Col. Centro,
San Pedro, Cholula, Puebla
http://www.piensapiensa.com.mx

Click here for more.

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PEAR AND AVOCADO SALAD

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Hello everyone, this is Rani Hoover. I do not know where to start the story. Rani has the biggest heart, a great cook, make an awesome fireplace, drive a black jeep, wears leather boots and plans lovely weddings. We meet each other for the first time and she brought me lunch, Crabs!! I had the pleasure of meeting Rani’s friend who are all super cool, wine makers and photographers. Thank you Rani for all the warmth, knowledge, food and the awesome tour of the Valley.

This is one of Rani’s late night healthy creation, Pear and Avocado salad. I never know it tasted so good!

Ingredients

1 Avocado
1 Pear (super ride)
1 teaspoon of Balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sriracha (optional)

Instructions
Cut the pear and avocado into small cubes
Stir in the Balsamic vinegar
Season generously with salt and pepper
Siriracha for your added kick!

Below are more pictures of my adventure with Rani Hoover. *for you Mum

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DIY MAP SUITCASE

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Hola Amigos,

Como están?

Yo estoy en Mexico. Muy genial!

When I was up in Sacramento, I  met some of the most creative, down to earth, happy people in the States. Thank you so much for making me feel so at home; Caroline Winata, Kate Miller and Lyn Win. I want to introduce you guys to, Audrey Chaney. She is a florist, mocha addict, stylist, DIYer, baker and Hoarder. Check her blog out – http://thestylednest.com. Thank you Rani for introducing me to a good friend. We went on treasure hunting and found ourselves with a stunning vintage suitcase and some old maps. So, there’s our creation!

Materials Needed: Old Map, Decoupage, Brush, Scissors.

Step 1: Cut the map out into small pieces
Step 2: Put a layer of Decoupage on the suitcase.
Step 3: Stick your map and overlay each other.
Step 4: Finish it with a layer of Decoupage and wait for it to dry.

Now that I am out of America. I am just wondering what I am going to post on this blog. Any ideas? Photo-journalism? Video? More cute dogs photos? Foooodddd!!!

Peace out. Im going to enjoy my days in Mexico!!

SAN FRANCISCO INDIE TRAVEL GUIDE

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After driving for 8 hours from LA, I arrived at 10pm, absolutely tired in San Francisco. The city greeted me with a shock, the traffic! Coming from the LA, I have already encountered the long waits on the highway but SF is a different monster. Downtown SF is filled with one-way streets, narrow lanes, roads that force you to turn and interesting assortment of public transportation that storm the road. I can’t wait to get out of my car.

San Francisco is truly a unique city. The public transportation systems are made really well with buses that run everywhere in the city. The true beauty of the city is really the creative energy that surrounds it. Many unique cafes, shops, urban spaces can be found just walking around the area. Despite the popular believe that this city is really expensive, I beg to differ. It is probably a expensive city to live because of it’s expensive rent but traveling is actually cheaper if you know where to go.

1) Miette

I knew about Miette all the way in Singapore because of their pastry book in Kinokuniya. Arriving at their store is definitely a pleasant surprise when everything in the book has come alive. This is definitely one of the new-school bakery that holds the essence of good pastry. It is obvious they are trying hard to find new ways to excite your taste buds and their visual aesthetics are also impressive.

https://www.miette.com

2) Get a street Poem

The perfect take home memory for San Francisco. Try to spot this poet in Hayes street, let fate bring you to this amazing poet.

http://untouchedpoetry.com

3) King of Thai Noodles

This is probably the cheapest place in the city to get good food and beer. I was a little skeptic when I ordered the plate of Pad Thai. However, it turned out good, not the authentic street stall Pad Thai you can find in Bangkok but slightly tweaked to the Americian tastebud. Beers are $2 all day and all noodles are $6.50! Definitely a must-go.

http://www.kingofthainoodlehouse.com

4) Have a Street Dog

Your San Francisco experience cannot be completed without a street dog. Walk yourself the Mission district and get a $3 sausage wrapped in bacon and served with brown onions  and jalapeños.

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WHITE CLAMS LINGUINE

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Hey people,

It’s a sunny day here in the Northern California. I am currently crashing with one of the coolest chick in the east bay, Julie Huang! By day, she is a hardworking HR executive at a local community college interview professors. By night, she become puts on her make-up and becomes a professional belly dancer in a troupe. On the weekends, she skates, sews her dress, cook some asian noodles and fixes her house. Thank you so much for the warmth (literally) house. Haha.

This is a super delicious dish that is so easy to make. Hope you guys love it.

Click here for the recipe.

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