Autumnal nature mort: Esma and the puppets return to New England

Posted on October 25, 2012 by lizcameron

Imperfect Fuji apples in sunlight (image by Liz Cameron)

Imperfect Fuji apples in sunlight (image by Liz Cameron)

Once home from Tulum, Mexico, our very own Esma, the resident hippie puppet was feeling at a bit of loose ends. Now, as a hippie, she wears her mantle with pride. And she, you see, is the photo-happy one in the puppet troupe. She loves the iPhone camera, to be sure, despite the challenges of Elma (the company) and world domination.

But to use a ghetto-ism, she also loves herself some nature photos, and as soon as the red and yellow leaves began to sprout, she was out and about, looking for the most interesting fallen leaves and berries.

Today’s post is Esma’s choice, in which she shares some of her nature mort-style photos. Enjoy!

Pears and bananas gone by with new Delicata squash and purple and green cauliflower

Pears and bananas gone by with new Delicata squash and purple and green cauliflower (image by Esma, care of Liz Cameron)

Leaves and crabapple on wooden tray (image by Esma, care of Liz Cameron)

Leaves and crabapple on wooden tray (image by Esma, care of Liz Cameron)

Indian corn as if garnets (image by Esma, care of Liz Cameron)

Indian corn as if garnets (image by Esma, care of Liz Cameron)

Posted in Turkish Art, Visits from the Karagöz puppets | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

On pointless pursuits: Of Tiryaki, opium and seaweed raking in Tulum, Mexico

Posted on October 24, 2012 by lizcameron

Tulum mexico seaweed beach playa

The early-morning seaweed raker is always on time, as is the Caribbean Sea, which dumps a new load each morning to be taken away according to the favor of the tourists…(Image by Liz Cameron)

On our last day on the Tulum playa, Tiryaki (the puppet with opium addiction since the 1300s) slunk out of his sleeping spot at 6:59 a.m. and commenced watching the beach – waiting to see if the expected would materialize.  And, at 7:01 a.m. on the dot, there was the expected – in the dual form of:

a) Tiryaki’s daily withdrawl symptoms (until he could get his morning opium hit) and:

b) the portly man from the Tulum Pueblo who spent his mornings raking the night’s seaweed crop into neat circles, before burying it in the white, powdery sand.

Every day, no matter what, Tiryaki has withdrwal symptoms – and a smoke to take them away, only to have his addicted brain deliver more the next day.

Carting the seaweed over to the big hole in the beach - to be buried before the tourists wake up and realize that - horror of horrors - the sea produces *seaweed*!!! (Image by Liz Cameron)

Carting the seaweed over to the big hole in the beach – to be buried before the tourists wake up and realize that – horror of horrors – the sea produces *seaweed*!!! (Image by Liz Cameron)

Every day, no matter what, this seaweed-raker has seaweed to rake and bury, only to have the Caribbean Sea deliver more the next day.

“And both are pointless pursuits,” Tiryaki exclaims with a sigh. “Maybe it’s time to try rehab again.  Too bad for the Mexican seaweed raker, he doesn’t have as much choice.”

Tulum playa crab

The crabs of Tulum playa (Image from VRBO at this link)

A crab ambled by at this moment, escaping the warming beach for the cool of the tropical selva across the road.  God willing, he’ll make it without being crushed by a speeding car.

Posted in Puppets on the move around the world, Visits from the Karagöz puppets | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Los Aguaschiles Restaurant: The Karagöz puppets swoon in Tulum, Mexico

Posted on October 23, 2012 by lizcameron

Tulum Los Aguaschiles guacamole

Fresh, perfect guacamole at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

The morning after our foray into Tulum Pueblo on beater bikes to beat the band, we were sore, yet determined to return for more mariscos.  After experiencing an almost life-changing Sobada Maya (Arvigo Mayan stomach massage), I was feeling great.  After many years of abdominal pain on the equivalent of a medium-low simmer, I felt barely anything.  And, to make matters even more wonderful, my masseur suggested a wonderful place for lunch – Los Aguaschiles, back in the pueblo. You can read more about that amazing place by clicking here.  This time, we oldsters hopped in a taxi and soon landed in the open-air restaurant that is well-known for its fish tacos, amongst other things.

Fresh, perfect guacamole at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

Smoked tuna with pickled onions on a fresh corn taco at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico – now taking jokes about “the pink taco” (Image by Liz Cameron)

The Karagöz puppets were so overcome by the healthy deliciousness of Los Aguaschiles, that all they could do was eat, and eat, and eat some more.  And so in honor of all of that eating, all we are doing today (me and the puppets that is) is posting photos of our food extravaganza.  I couldn’t help but think that even the food snob Turks, who believe that Turkish cuisine is the best in the world (and who could argue, really?) would have to love this simple and flavorful food.  Afiyet olsun!

Steamed fish with pickled onions and cabbage and a hot corn tortilla at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

Steamed fish with pickled onions and cabbage and a hot corn tortilla at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

"Jamaica" hibiscus and sorrel (?) drink at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

“Jamaica” hibiscus and sorrel (?) drink at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

 

BBQ'd octopus with black beans and rice at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

BBQ’d octopus with black beans and rice at Los Aguaschiles Restaurant in Tulum Pueblo, Mexico (Image by Liz Cameron)

Posted in Puppets on the move around the world, Turkish Food!, Visits from the Karagöz puppets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments