When I said there was #noagenda @FPSouthofthBorder, that was mostly true. We do have somewhat of an agenda. We all wake up in the AM, and make our coffee. The first to the beach will reserve palapa’s for our crew. Second or third row, away from the vendors that stroll back and forth selling their wares, for maximum relaxation.

How to be Neighborly: Mi palapa, su palapa.

As we all meander down to the beach with our coffee pots and coffee mugs, we find our palapa, settle in, and enjoy the view. Every other morning brings a new cruise ship to port and occasionally a luxury yacht. Eventually, we will all pull out a book and begin reading. This year, we all passed around “Wishful Drinking” by Carrie Fisher, and giggles moved from one palapa to the next in this day long read. The bar opens around 10am, and sometime after that, the flags begin to wave and the frozen drinks and buckets of beer begin to arrive. Around 12, someone determines it is too hot, and a group of us head to the ocean to cool off. Refreshed, we head back to the palapa, wave the flag, and more beverages arrive. Around 3 or 4, we meander, one by one, to the pool where some of us catch the last of the sushi bar and happy hour. This is when we plan dinner. Will it be fish tacos at Gardenia’s, dinner on the playa at the resort, downtown for some fish, or cooking in someone’s room? Decisions, decisions. After dinner, we play games and then head to our rooms to rest up for the next day. Here’s the coffee I dream awaits me under that palapa mañana…

Café de Mexico

Mexican Coffee

• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 10 cloves
• 1 vanilla bean, or 1 tsp vanilla paste/extract
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 3 c water
• 2 scoops ground coffee (~2 heaping tbsp.)

Place cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, brown sugar, salt and water in a small pot. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 5 minutes. In a French press, place the coffee grounds, and pour the water and spice mixture over the coffee grounds. Let brew for about 3 minutes, then press the grounds and spices to the bottom.

If you are feeling adventurous, add 1 1/2 oz Kahlua to the coffee, and reduce the sugar in the water mix by about half.