Ruminations of an Expatriate

Being a committed reprobate, you know that when I happened upon La Casa de Mezcal, I had to enter. What ensued was one of those serendipitous travel experiences into which I often stumble when traveling without specific plans.

Actually there are quite a number of mescal stores here, as it is a product for which the area is apparently famous.

Upon my entrance, Jose greeted me warmly and described the six different mescal options from which I could choose. The choices differed in their ages and, thus, their colors, as the color, as well as various flavors, are imparted by the wooden barrel in which the liquor is aged. I opted for a shot of the “anejo” variety which has been aged for twelve years in Oak (Roble) barrels and is of a rich dark color and very smooth flavor. Jose explained that the younger mescal is harsher and is of a much lighter color.

La Casa de Mezcal is richly finished in wood, as you may see in the photos, with much of the wood intricately carved and with raised panels of Cedar surrounded by stiles and rails of lighter Pine. It is stunning.

I asked Jose if it would be alright if I took photos (always the polite thing to do, I think) and he, of course welcomed me to do so, and began showing me around. He took me into an adjoining room where a couple of young fellows were quaffing the youngest variety of mescal offered, blanco. I excused myself as I wished to take a photo of a particularly stunning carved door, and they asked me to join them, which I of course did.

Marcos, twenty one and stationed with the Mexican military in Chihuahua, and Christopher, a twenty seven year old musician who plays trumpet in a fifteen piece “banda” (which I understand is a genre) playing mostly Mexican music, had already had a few shots.

Both Marcos and Christopher live in San Pedro San Pablo Ayutla, a pueblo of about 300 folks a three or four hour bus ride pretty much due East of here. They told me that in the area of their pueblo gold ore is mined and that the area was never overrun by the Spanish conquerors.
Marcos was a bit inebriated, though not obnoxiously so, but persisted in tapping my arm when he wished to gain my attention and continuously repeated himself. Christopher, on the other hand, was very polite and very interesting.

Christopher told me that in the process of excavating for the foundation for a house he was building he unearthed a gold horse and a gold cup, which he says are of Aztecan vintage. He asked that I not mention the fact to anyone local and if I might be able to help him find a buyer. I told him I would look through the internet for buyers of Aztec antiquities and call him with contact information.

OK, I can hear you all now. And I admit, I am somewhat of a sucker for such things. But tomorrow I am taking a bus to the pueblo to visit, and to stay in what Christopher told me was his three room hotel. I have confirmed with the desk clerk at the Hotel Virginia, where I am staying here, that the pueblo (which does appear on my map) is quite nice and that there is a hotel there. Other than that I don’t know.

You may never hear from me again, but I’m up for the adventure. Meanwhile enjoy the photos of La Casa de Mezcal.