(Y-11) for this evening’s reading and drinking.

I’ll try to chip off more time and pages before I succumb to sleep.

For this evening’s reading I will be starting with Doctor Voodoo and collection of tales from The Dark Crystal.

Also, I’ll go to work on Fire & Blood, right now the history has turned to Aegon The Dragon progeny, amazing stuff.

For the drinking, I’ll be trying a new variety of coffee from my favourite local roasters, Casa Cafetzin this particular one comes from the state of Chiapas, and it’s called Pantelhô.

Now back to reading.

(Y-11) I need a break.

Right now I am on the final stretch of my first semester of my masters degree.

And to define it as hectic it would be an understatement.

So, I will take a little break, pour myself some coffee and read the sixth issue of Batman: White Knight.

Let’s cast away some bad spirits.

Happy Readings!!!

azr.

(Y-10) Caffeine Pilgrimage, Black Coffee Gallery

Let me begin by telling that I know that Black Coffee Gallery is a chain store, that being said, I’ll let that slide only because it is a Mexican chain and each of its stores have the works of one particular graphic artist.

Here in Ciudad Juarez, there are two stores, I went to the newest one and found it to be quite pleasant, not overcrowded, with great natural light to read for hours.

I did not have any pastries but I did enjoy a giant Americano and it was right on point.

I could not find any info of who is the artist of the pieces hanging on the walls, but when I do, I’ll do a follow-up post with more information.

And I’ll visit the other location to try out some other drinks, some pastries and to see some original artwork.

Drink of Choice: Americano (for now)

Best Hour (for my taste):  9:30 for an invigorating morning read.

 

(Y-10) Ready for Spring Break

Today marks the start of the two-week break we get, at least here in Mexico, for spring.

So, I got ready for this period, that hopefully will help me get back on track and for that, I’ll need the help of my old friend caffeine.

I went out and bought a kilo of whole bean glory.

This particular batch is from the beautiful state of Chiapas, Mexico and it is carefully roasted by local roasters Casa Cafetzin.

For the first week, I’ll just kick back and catch up on my reading.

For the second week, we will take a little trip, but more on that later.

Happy Readings!!!

azr

 

(Y-10) Caffeine Pilgrimage, Braun Café Móvil

This has become one of my morning rituals.

Early in the morning.

On my way to teach a class at my alma mater.

Nothing hits the spot like a freshly brewed coffee and to find it on the street on this cleverly transformed what appears to be an old generator, it gives new meaning to coffee on the go.

Made from locally roasted coffee, it is heaven on a cup.

For my luck, I can now have at least three times a week.

You can follow Braun Café Móvil on Facebook to see its business hours and more importantly their location for any given day.

 

 

Drink of Choice: Latte

Best Hour (for my taste): 8:15 to wake up from among the dead.

(Y-10) Caffeine Pilgrimage, Café Único

This is way overdue.

As you can see by my entries I’m a bit addicted to coffee.

So, I have a self-appointed quest to visit the various coffee houses that are popping all around town.

The rules of engagement are quite simple: 1) Try all the local flavors, 2) Try to avoid the big chains (with a few exceptions, but that is a post for later) and finally 3) Try at least two different coffee drinks.

With that in mind, I went scouting for my first place to sit down, enjoy some great coffee and take this time to catch-up with some of my reading.

The first place, and honestly one of my go-to places, is Café Único.

This particular visit was on a rare rainy day in my fair city, so I desperately needed to chase away the chill of a winter wet day.

The place was comfy and with a great feeling of warmth, with a few people enjoyed a good chat but not overcrowded.

The coffee was perfect, strong, bold and to the perfect temperature and accompanied by a warm apple strudel, well, it was the perfect combination to warm up and read for a couple of hours.

The baristas are really friendly and attentive but do not snotter you.

This is one of the main reasons I keep coming back, great coffee and a peaceful place to unwind for a couple of hours.

You can follow Café Único on Facebook to see their location and business hours.

Recommendations: 

Drink of Choice: Americano

Dessert of Choice:  Warm Apple Strudel

Best Hour (for my taste): between 10:00 a.m and 12:00 p.m.

(Y-10) Recruiting some help

Finally, I have finished the thirteen-book of The Legend Drizzt saga, the series took a slower pace and focused more and the inner turmoil of the Barbarian Wulfgar, with a few swashbuckling moments here and there.

For the start of the fourteen book of the series, The Sea of Swords,  I have recruited some help.

 

First, on the fuel side of things, and a long time coming, some beautiful, freshly roasted coffee from where I considered one of the best places to buy/drink coffee in the Juarez-El Paso area, I’m talking about BLDG. 6 Coffee Roasters. This time I will give the house blend a try.

On the chocolatey part of things, two new chocolate bars came my way. One spicy alternative and a more classic flavor.

And lastly, a guide through the perilous realms of  Faerûn, so I can keep up with Drizzt in his never-ending quest.

Fortunately, I have a holiday long weekend and not too far, a vacation retreat with some peace and quiet.

Happy Readings!!!!

azr

 

(Y-10) Indulging and getting back on track

My mood is really fluctuating thing.

I am an outgoing person, sociable and most of the time my mood is really mild and easy going.

But also there is always, just under the surface, my sad vein, it pops its ugly head whenever and wherever it feels like.

I start to see the signs.

I can’t concentrate, so my reading goes to the toilet, also, my insomnia kicks in, I’m awake but my brain is basically green jelly.

Fortunately, I have the biggest, brightest and most beautiful warrior by my side, of course, I’m talking about my best friend and wife.

She is there to kick me in the ass and lift me up.

She brought to my attention that I was spiraling and I should refocus on the things that I loved like music, reading, eating and drinking (mostly coffee and alcohol).

But not only that, I should somehow integrate all of this to this blog in a sort of personal public journal.

So, I took her advice and I will integrate more of the things I love.

The first thing was indulging in this great little restaurant, El Mimbre, we went for breakfast, and boy it was a whole experience.

To start the restaurant is almost hidden from the main street at is on, so you experience this relax and quiet atmosphere that rarely you can find in a busy city like ours.

Secondly, the food.

The Glorious Food

We had some dishes featuring mole from the beautiful state of Veracruz, everything was cooked to perfection, including my blue corn tortillas, made from scratch and right at the moment you order it.

This will be, I suspect, one of our go-to places to relax and eat some amazing food.

On the coffee side of things, I received a little sample from a local coffee roasting house, this particular batch is from the beautiful state of Oaxaca, and it is nutty and floral in all its glory.

 

And finally, on the book front, I have finished the eleventh book of the Legend of Drizzt saga, The Silent Blade, and are right now starting with the twelfth book of the series, The Spine of the World.

 

Just got some new fantasy acquisitions to further my crazy notion of reading all fantasy book this year.

My total for this year is 11,344 pages.

Still, some 85,000 pages to go and about 230 days to do it.

Happy Readings!!!

azr.