summer gimme

native shoes

poketo

Rockaway Beach

We spent the Fourth of July holiday weekend locally in Brooklyn.  The city is very quiet on these long summer weekends, with lots of people retreating to beach or country homes.  

On the 4th, we took the A train to Rockaway Beach -- our first time there.  The area is getting a lot of attention lately with their Rockaway concessions, and no denying, 

that's what brought us out there.  We had a beautiful day all-around, though.  I doubt I'll ever get totally used to crowded beaches after growing up visiting the foggy beaches of the Oregon coast, but I am learning to appreciate this kind of beach life too.

a view of Rockaway Beach sun worshippers

from Rockaway concessions (top to bottom):

Ode to the Elephants veggie spring rolls; Rockaway Taco's "Cucs" (cucumbers, jicama and pickled mango in lime and chili flakes); Ode to the Elephants' Bangkok Burger

Miraflores, Lima, Peru

June 2010: Lima, Peru

A view of Miraflores Park from our suite

...and slightly to the left, the Pacific and the cliffs of Lima

Me, gazing somewhere

Gorgeous homes and boutiques abound in Miraflores

random wall art

John F. Kennedy Park in the center of Miraflores, Lima

In the posh lobby of our hotel

to be continued....

a revelation

watermelon rinds, quickly blanched, then sprinkled with sea salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, freshly cut chives, minced garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice, a splash of soy sauce, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, then left to stew in its juices for a week = the best kimchi I've ever had.

i used to enjoy making people balk by saying that watermelon was the only food i didn't like, but now i'll have to change that.

Pisco Sour Tasting and Street Art Gazing in Barranco, Lima, Peru

La Canta Rana

The Bridge of Sighs

Inside La Canta Rana

Pisco Sours and pickled white beans, and toasted salted hominy

Our second to last day in Lima, we decided to explore Barranco on our own, after having briefly visited with Hernan a few days before.  We ate at La Canta Rana again, a great little cevicheria and bar owned by a retired Argentinian futbol player.  We drank piscos and watched the World Cup game next to a bunch of french people.  

This was our favorite district visited in Lima -- artistic and a bohemian.