Bean farmer Roberto demonstrates one way of making a nice crunchy tostada without deep frying.

Lupe offers a platter of taquitos. The salsas she served with them were out of this world.

My favorite Huastecan band, Trio Renovacion. These guys are incredible and they're the foundation of the collective that sends us their Oregano Indio. They swing hard and at moments it's not unlike Western Swing or Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. All three had great voices and they played for us through dinner, through our bonfire and even after. I'm working on getting their CD for sale via our website.

Such good food, drink and friends!

After dinner, a bonfire and El Grito for Mexican Independence. You can see the Trio Renovacion in the background playing away.

What says, "Viva Mexico" quite like a platter of chles en nogada? That's a rather rich walnut sauce over the stuffed chiles. The red dots are pomegranite seeds. They all add up to be the most perfect of dishes.

The guest left and Gabino, the group's leader asked, "Are you too tired for some more music?" How can you say no? They stayed and played until 4 in the morning. I lasted until untl 2 a.m. but the trip, the mezcal and the hour really got to me.

That's my pal Antonio on the right, looking pretty borracho to me!