HotList! South America! Go and Know the Best!

First SALSA! Now HotList?

I've been asked, "How is it possible to have written two books in one year?" The answer is quite simple. As subject matter, both books contain aspects of South American life. And since I've traveled the continent for twenty years photographing the marvels and scribbling impressions all along the way, there's been ample material to draw upon... the inspiration of travel diaries makes it possible.

Then I should add that our literary team is stupendous! Editor Alix Shand is a bit of a language prodigy and has unerring focus. Designer Rocio Laura has been involved with some of the most impressive works published in this part of the world. And she's deigned to work with me. Gratefully, these two experts have harnessed my energy, profusion of words and oft times wayward ways. Tech support Marco Antonio makes the uploads easy. Otherwise, I'd be flummoxed and frustrated. Really publishing has been a long time coming yet the teamwork makes it all so very immediate and accesible. Realistically, future titles will take more time but they are forthcoming. Look for "SnowBlind in the Andes" (Sacred Leaf to Cocaine Tourism) and followed soon thereafter by another travelogue/cookbook: "Down East" (Boston to St. John's).

So this is answer to the above question, acknowledgement of great talent and an expression of appreciation all in one... mil gracias a todos!

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2014. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food, Wine!

Almost there... Salsa! The Sauces of South America!

Really it's not so difficult. I write in the witching hours when fuss is at a minimum and well before the city comes to full din and babel. I find no burden in scribbling to the piercing spotlight of my lonely lamp, wrapped in darkness filled with Songs Without Words by Mendelssohn. Really any voiceless classical piece will do simply because I prefer to commune with my inner voices. It is from these that the writing comes.

I write on the road or at this desk where I share experiences from that endless rhythm of countryside, hotels and restaurants. At altitude, in low lying jungles or facing the sea the roads slip stream together connecting me with the world. I travel rough and fast for days on end and when weary I sleep in a dark room with nice linens and where hot water comes out of the showerhead. 

I've traveled by bus, taxi and sailboat from South America to Mexico. I´ve rattled through 9 of 10 time zones of Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway and voyaged the reverse route (west to east) through the straits of Magellan holding onto the rail, wine glass in the other hand.  With no reservation, I arrive and make arrangements to store my gear. Directly, I move to the market with notebook and camera… it is there I take the pulse of a place. It is said there is no wealth in this world without food production. And in the market you readily see the health of a regions fields and orchards. The strength of commerce in fruit, grain and meats is measured in urgency of clients hungry to buy. It is from there I end up in kitchens. A conversation over ingredients turns into an invitation. It's with the cooks of the world, I feel most at ease. Tasting, discussing local cuisine and a technique or simple trick which makes all the difference; this is what gives me joy. I chronicle life from the kitchens and it's this spark that compels me to write. All of this I find easy.

It is the editing, ISBN numbers, reading copy write law and formatting a book for publishing that makes me anxious. The minutia best left to the professionals is what kills creativity in the self-publishing writer. Instead of working on book two, I am doing what makes me crazy. So sincerely, I believe it’s now time to look for dinner and a good glass of red.

Now available - "Salsa!The Sauces of South America" & "HotList South America" an essential addendum to your travel guide of choice. Both just $3.99 at Amazon.com! Meanwhile, writing continues on "Down East ~ Boston to St. John's" & "SnowBlind in the Andes ~ Sacred Leaf to Cocaine Tourism."

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2014. All Rights Reserved. 
mickhuerta@gmail.com 
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food & Drink! 

Giving Thanks...

Even big cities rife with daily sounds of car theft alarms and overbearing traffic noise can provide an occasional surprise. Just before first light, early morn, cold fingers of cloud gripped this high altitude Andean city. Not quite yet awake, strains of Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma (None Shall Sleep) filtered above the rooftops, faint and beguiling it wafted as a godsend. I lifted my head and cocked an ear, then rose from the featherbed to draw the curtains and open windows to better hear. In damp morning haze, a neighbour had bestowed a sonorous gift. I smiled at this Latin city and mouthed the words, "Mil Gracias" (a thousand thanks) to a person I shall never meet. For truly this offering, a musical generosity so freely given has changed my day...

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2013. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food & Wine!

Fiesta de Alasitas - La Paz, Bolivia

Of the many festivals in the Andes, one is venerated as the celebration of hope and abundance. This is the ancient Fiesta of Alacitas. Though first officially sanctioned in 1781, the roots are to be found deep in the native peoples of Lake Titicaca. At present the highest concentration of enthusiasts is to be found in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. In busy days of preparation participants scurry to purchase miniature objects then implore the Aymara deity “Ekeko” through the solicitations of black-robed priests & yatiris (shamans) to convert the miniatures into the real thing!

On the first day (Jan. 24th) of this multiple week festival, many attend a Morning Mass with their miniatures. The objects are varied and express the needs of the celebrants. They range from work tools to a university degree a worried student is toiling to achieve, a little store whose income would stabilize a family, a stove for ease of cooking or most anything worth praying for. Upon leaving, there is a line of yatiris with smoking braziers on the church steps who through muttered ceremony strengthen the requests chanted inside.

Participants move then to fairgrounds where yet more Yatiris and other spell-casters offer their services along with food vendors, sellers of bric-a-brac and balloons, hawkers of all sorts. Now the deeply felt becomes cause for fiesta. Families stroll up the fairway with babies and grandparents in tow; teenagers check out one another while playing Foosball meantime youngsters play and laugh chewing on their cobs of corn. In the crowd I asked a young boy carrying a statue what his Ekeko was for. He responded with a twinkle, "For good luck and for a good future." His smile was radiant and his eyes shiny and clear. And I couldn’t help but think his future would surely be bright.

I don't know a more pronounced melding of the native with the Christian. This is syncretism (fusion of differing systems of belief) lived and demonstrated in open, full and modern terms. One faith is old, the other even more ancient. Both bolster a people as they face the unknown and uncertain. There can be no gesture more human than this. In all the smoke the shiny little boy asked me, “What do you hope for?” Well, my hopes are simple. I wish that every participant receives what they desire and that each may be made whole. I beseech any and all gods who might be listening. And I shall return to ask for the very same...

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2011. Text & Fotos by Mick Huerta. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
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