Don't get me wrong. I'm all for FAM trips, whole-heartedly. I've been invited to go myself some years ago on a few "familiarization" trips while living in New York City at the invitation and generosity of the Mexico Office of Tourism and AeroMexico - first-class accommodations and excursions to Monterrey and Mexico City to promote the region's culture, business, environments and destination attractions.
At first glance when the newsfeed was received, your MesaZona blogger was astounded that a journalist from Holland went so overboard to call Mesa magical . . . Mebbe she was drinking the water here????
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The source of the fabulous FAM story originates in New York. Believe it or not. Here's the header > For those who don't know, what we now call New York City was founded by The Dutch in the 1600's. Hence the name "New Amsterdam". Let's for the time being Re-Imagine Mesa from this view point:
Mesa: Arizona’s magical city
Sheryl Nance-Nash | 11/29/2018, 5:06 p.m. | Updated on 11/29/2018, 5:06 p.m.
"The combination of the Sonoran Desert and Superstition Mountains makes for much magic in Mesa. Arizona’s third largest city is home to more than 40 golf courses and 56 parks. Hit the trails for walking, hiking and biking. Birdwatch in the Tonto National Forest. Kayak or paddle board on Saguaro Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts call Mesa their “happy place.”
(Right! For about four months in a year)
With more than 900 restaurants, Mesa makes foodies fall hard, and with good reason—the grub is great. For sure, Mesa is about food, glorious food. Spend time along the Fresh Foodie Trail and experience the Mesa food story firsthand. . ."
LINK >> http://amsterdamnews.com
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OK. But your MesaZona blogger just can't swallow that over-the-top phrasing "For sure, Mesa is all about food, glorious food."
GLORIOUS FOOD here in Mesa? Sheryl Nance-Nash lifts that sentence predicate objective from the name of New York City's best highly-regarded upper-crust catering company Glorious Food. . .
She goes on to say: With more than 900 restaurants, Mesa makes foodies fall hard, and with good reason—the grub is great
Spend time along the Fresh Foodie Trail and experience the Mesa food story firsthand. Wind your way through Mesa and the towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek, stopping at more than a dozen culinary attractions, including farms, orchards, citrus groves and an olive mill. There’s plenty to see and do, so maybe a few highlights will tempt you:
Mesa and the surrounding areas offer niche, specialty food spots such as
Dulce Churro Café featuring handmade churros, pastries that you have your way, be it with sprinkles or dipped in chocolate, and Toasted Mallow, gourmet marshmallow treats in a variety of flavors, such as peppermint, cookie dough, strawberry cheesecake, caramel apple and others.
In between citrus groves in Mesa is a little unassuming place called Jalapeno Bucks, that serves up big plates of “New Wave Mexican Soul Food and BuzzSaw Brand BBQ.”
. . .
Mesa is more than just food, however
A Sonoran Hike at Usery Mountain Regional Park and Wind Cave Trail awaits
Arizona Goat Yoga is ever popular, as is hot air ballooning
Shop the Mesa Market Place and Swap Meet with more than 1,600 booths, live entertainment and more than a mile of shopping
For upscale shopping, there’s the Village Square at Dana Park
The Mesa Arts Center and Museum is the largest performing arts, visual arts and arts education facility of its kind in the Southwest.
Art fans will love all the murals on Main Street.
Every second Friday of the month, downtown Mesa comes alive. Art galleries and businesses have art booths, live bands, food booths and more.
Mesa hasn’t missed out on the brew pub scene either, with its slew of microbreweries.
Drink up.
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