Hello masa-friends,
I hope you are all well. Sometimes life gets in the way of writing something thoughtful, and you look at the calendar only to realize July is almost over.
This month, our new family member, a 4.5 month-old, unnamed puppy has been taking up a lot of my extra time and energy. We found her at Rocket Dog Rescue and were completely taken by her composed and gentle demeanor. We were told she is part Xoloitzcuintle and part Pit Bull terrier of sorts. Maybe she is this combination of breeds, or maybe they saw a couple of suckers who melted over the word “Xoloitzcuintle.” Regardless, she is a wonderful pup and I look forward to the day she takes over the family masa business.
We have a last minute Oakland pickup this weekend with Edith’s Pies. I received a few requests for more Oakland offerings, so I hope y’all show out. Lots of masa, tortillas, tetelas, tlacoyos will be made, and I will offer a handful of salsas. Maybe throw some veggies or meat on the grill, make some tacos, enjoy the nice weather. If you need some inspiration, Cesar Hernandez from the SF Chronicle wrote a great piece on where to find the best carne asada (and chorizo, and cecina) in the Bay Area. Mmm, I love cecina, salted and thinly sliced beef that is draped over a wire or rope to air dry, resulting in thin steaks that caramelize remarkably well without over cooking, becoming chewy. We’ll be at the Alice Collective (272 14th Street) Oakland from 11-12pm this Saturday 7/23. Preorder Below.
Pop-Up / Market Dates
SAT 7/23 - POP-UP Market, OAKLAND. Preorder for pickup at The Alice Collective 272 14th Street Oakland, 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Pre-Orders are live until Saturday 7/23 10:00 am.
THU 7/28 - San Francisco Foodwise Mission Market 3:00pm-7:00pm Plenty of Tortillas, tetelas, tlacoyos, GORDITAS!! and salsas.
WED 8/3 - POP-UP Market, OAKLAND. Preorder for pickup at The Alice Collective 272 14th Street Oakland, 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Pre-Orders will go live on Monday 8/1 at 12:00 pm until Wednesday 8/3 12:00 pm.
THU 8/4 - San Francisco Foodwise Mission Market 3:00pm-7:00pm Plenty of Tortillas, tetelas, tlacoyos and salsas. We will be off the next week.
Catering / Classes / Private Dinners: August and September books are open for private dinners, catering, and private classes. Email me at hola@bolitamasa.com. I will get back to you within 2-3 days.
Some Thoughts on Travel / Working Remote
I recently posted some thoughts on Instagram about working abroad and traveling. This was partially spurred by seeing various people I know booking long trips abroad, schedule their events in other countries as a way to save money. Partially spurred by my annoyance at being asked for travel recommendations for the hundredth time; I am not trying to be a “gate keeper” at all, just hope people acknowledge that there is labor in putting together lists/recommendations, and my labor is not free.
The trickle down isn’t as real as most people think, and sudden influxes of temporary residents can harm the local economies. Based on personal experience, my brother and his family have had great difficulty relocating within Mexico to places where they have raised my niece— CdMX and coastal towns have seen rents increase dramatically, partially due to people from other countries coming into the city to live their “Mexico moment.” Travel dollars and money from foreigners don’t always make their way to the most vulnerable.
Anyway, here is the little thing I wrote on IG.
I get quite a few inquiries from people asking me to recommend places to visit while in Oaxaca de Juárez, Guadalajara, CdMX, Valle de Guadalupe, etc.
I love traveling and am happy that people are choosing to visit Mexico. It’s an intensely beautiful, deeply complex country. I just hope that people seek out their own experiences and moments. Try places that aren’t on a dozen “best of lists.” Maybe even have some “bad” meals.
Every week, day, hour, experience does not need to be maximized. Be present in that spaces you choose to occupy and be aware that you are a tourist and taking up space. I try to always remind myself that I am tourist in most spaces I occupy— I am not a guide, nor an expert in any realms other than the realm of being myself.
If you’re going to another country to work remotely, let’s make an agreement.
If you’re leaving the US for a few weeks or months to work remotely, acknowledge that this is a massive privilege. Thousands and thousands of people are fleeing, risking their lives and often dying to come to the country that you are leaving. You have an immense privilege and luxury to travel between borders with little to no consequences.
If your reason for working remote is to maximize your earnings, i.e. pay less rent, spend less of food, spend less on experiences. Good for you, make your money, you’re winning at capitalism.
BUT, I suggest, you take 10-15% of the money you are saving by placing yourself in a cheaper country and donating it to an organization that is directly helping those who are actively fleeing. I recommend Calma (based in SF, but feel free to do some research and find an Org that resonates with you)
I’ll do the same, I’m going on a family trip to Jalisco in August and have been dealing with my privilege of travel, vacation, luxury.
Everything is incredibly complicated, and we can dissect everything as much or as little as we choose too. Dissect your decisions. Dissect your privileges.
For more visual content, you can follow my Instagram @bolitamasa