Flor de Calabacitas bring fragrance and flavor to Chihuahua homes this time of year.

The unique foods of the Norteño area and Copper Canyon include the lovely and fragrant squash blossoms….flor de calabacitas. The are harvested in the late summer time when the rains push the brown/tan valleys and mountains into a verdant miracle.

The Fall is a great time for The Blue Corn Express culinary trip for many reasons…one of which is that we can enjoy this culinary delight.

The aroma is light as these yellow flowers are gathered in baskets early in the day. Their use is in canned vegetables, with eggs, in soups …anywhere you want a light addition to a flavorful dish.

Flor de Calabacitas are readily available in the markets early in the day - especially in the rainy season.

Porfiria Gonzales with a small pot we purchased from her on the street in Mata Ortiz

I especially like the craft and color of her miniatures:

Miniature pots from Porfiria Gonzales in Mata Ortiz.

He is featured in the film, “The Mata Ortiz Phenomenon” from The American Museum of Ceramic Art. Here is a youtube excerpt from that masterful film.

Though Manuel is somewhat known now, his home is modest and his hospitality flowing – he invited us as perfect strangers in for a coke and in the absence of pots he might have for sale (they were all on the road on exhibition), he let me have two very fine damaged pots as examples.

Manuel Rodriguez in his home with an unfinished treasure.

Anyway, Nelid  Reiz came buy as we were buying some other pots with these cool little graphite pots – each about the price of 3 eggs!

Nelid Reiz in Mata Ortiz.

So Rosa Gaona pulled up and spread out her treasures – a variety of graphite and typically painted pots. Very nice work.

Rosa Gaona with her wares in Mata Ortiz.

“You planned your vacation months in advance. The hotels are booked. The rental car pickup arranged. You even asked friends for a list of restaurant recommendations.

Accidents can happen anywhere. It’s an old adage we all know well. But checking into an emergency room halfway across the country is the last place to find yourself wondering if your version of an emergency will indeed be covered by your health insurance plan.”

Copper Canyon travel and the whole experience on the train and little towns is safe...yet you never know when you may have your trip interrupted or need a doctor.

In my own experience, accidents and even trip interruption are rare. But when they occur, it is so handy to have some ready coverage. I use AccessAmerica and TravelGaurd.

And to answer the obvious questions:

1. Yes, Mexico and Copper Canyon is safe for travel…listen to those who live there day by day, like Spencer MacCallum…and to people who guide there often like me- and my team of Copper Canyon experts.

2. Yes, the healthcare in Chihuahua is excellent. I have personally experienced medical and dental care in that area and in the US and have recently described my observations.