Festival is close to closing...

      There was a Photo Exhibit by famed Photographer Marcela Taboada.  The subject was the participants in the 1994 Guelaguetza with them wearing the traditional clothing of the 8 different regions of the state.  I attended that and just spent afternoon wandering around the different booths and events .
     A neighbor in Villa Antiqua moved out last week and I think she took Butch, Fi-Fi and Fido with her.  I hope they have a good place to live. They were my friends out here in nowhere land. I found out Butch was put down and Fi-Fi is without a mate and Fido's dad is now in dogie heaven.
    Today I downloaded some files my Rental Agent sent, had them printed in Oaxaca, then signed and mailed back.  I feel relieved that my condo is rented and will stay in Scottsdale until they arrive to assure them that any issues that arise,  will be taken care of.  I want repeat renters.  It means I miss the Day of the Dead, Christmas and the Radish Festival...but that will be here next year when I can come early and experience it.

     Day by day my presence in Yartareni is being noticed.  MotoTaxi drivers wave.  My laundress knows Senior David and sometimes extends credit if I forget my wallet or don't have change. The most interesting to me are the ones that speak English fluently.  Most are tour guides, taxi drivers, Moto Taxi drivers, waiters, cooks, ....at least the ones I've had an opportunity to meet.  Some were deported though none told me that. Most had jobs or were in College and their Visas ran out or they had to return to help the family.  The Moto Taxi driver gets 5 Pesos for up to 3 passengers ...so maybe 15 Pesos a  trip...or $1.10-.20 a trip.
       Oaxaca, "The Eternal Spring", has the most enjoyable weather of any place I've ever stayed , including Hawaii.  I was curious what time the Sun sets in December. It sets at 6 pm...I think the sunrise, sunset the year around, makes it one of the lightest places as the best weather of anywhere I want to be. This is the Stats...with pictures of graphs..http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/oaxaca.html
     I bought some Bears in Oaxaca.  They were small night lights that changed color for my grandchildren's room.  Both have their own room. When you grow up from 2-3 years old to 16 or so and have your own room, that is a big deal.  I believe they should have a "Glow Light" or something to add magic to your imagination when it's dark and your all alone in your own room. You can always turn it off.  I did think it Odd that they would pick Bears as a Light but they are popular stuffed animals and cuddly play dolls.  My light was a good size globe light.  I could spin it and imagine visiting those countries, each and everyone.

Sunday and the Festival

    Yesterday was focused on planning today and eating "Happy Pancakes"  I needed to get some drinking water before I depart on my planned attack on Oaxaca's Festival's today... Sunday. 
      I took my empties down to the local Miscellaneous store to fetch a pail of water...well two 5 gall containers.  I paid my $4 and hailed a MotoTaxi with an elderly gentleman, about my age and my two waters for about 30 yards...well worth it. I talked to the hombre but had no idea what he replied...we smiled a lot.
    When the water was secured I hailed a MotoTaxi for ADO, the bus stop.  I was going to buy a ticket for my departure to Mexico City next month but the Station was packed and lines out the door.  
       I walked to Llano park and said Hello to Hector my newspaper salesmen.  He said that his business was actually hurting as no one wanted to read a magazine.   I think many will buy before leaving to read on the bus , car,or plane home.  
     The park was just opening up.  Beautiful day in Oaxaca.  I was there to do photos and catch the action.  A lot ...busy day with activities throughout Oaxaca. 

Fried Bananas

I ate 5 Tacos here.

Churros

       Llano park is hosting the Mezcal Festival with over 50 different companies to sample...the rest of the park is full of over 100 crafts booths from all over Mexico...like Cave Creek Art Fest when they come from all over the US.  Then there is the food stalls...and just Pineapple Fru Fru drinks booths ....at least 4 of those...serving you your drink in a Pineapple.

Mexico is about Color

        One food stall attracted my attention for Taco's, so after touring the Park, I decided to get a lunch there.  I only wanted 2 Tacos but they were selling a platter of five for 40 pesos...OK...I wanted water but the only water they had was 1.5 liter bottles...another 20 pesos...then as I finished there was some 10% charge added on and the bill came to 90 pesos...I was debating if this waiter ever graduated from elementary school but instead gave him 100 pesos with a Gracias.  I had things to do.  

Gringos

     I headed for my Cafe and Latte to stall time for the Parade and refresh myself.  When I left the Cafe, for a Photo Exhibit, there was the Parade.  It sure wasn't the biggie I expected but managed some photos and accepted a glass of Mezcal from some promoters with a bottle and plastic cups for all.  I swear it was a third of a water glass.  I never did find the Photo exhibit....another excuse to return Monday.

    It was time for the Mezcal Festival and then home.  I paid my 40 Pesos, got searched by Security (the usual Compton Terrace stuff) . took some photos while accessing the situation...then attacked.  50 booths and 50 tastes later the Guard at the entrance informed me the exit was on the other side of the park.
          I was leaving around 6 pm and figured I could buy something and carry it home now I was departing.  I got a large Black vase and we wrapped it in newspaper and I held it close all the way to ADO to catch the bus....wrong...the MAIN Parade was on the Camino...all one way with NO buses.  Everyone was dancing in the street and each district had a band and a float and Giant Paper Machai  people...passing out Mezcal shots from the bottle in plastic glasses to anyone.

    Then it started to rain....a real rain....I had to walk to McDonalds...VW... to catch a detour bus with my umbrella while embracing the Vase to my chest and still getting soaked...it was water and warm...I didn't mind but no buses were coming to the stop but a lot of Collective Taxi's were.  I took one and put down my umbrella in the front seat with my Vase in my lap.   Akee we picked up a family of 6 so the Vase went in the truck and a young man in my lap,and four in the back seat.   We arrived at my stop and I was concerned about the Vase so jumped out and checked it all out when he pulled it from the trunk and took my 10 Pesos.   

       I made it to the MotoTaxi and Karen from Monticello, New York, was my driver.  There has been no rain in Yartareni...which was good since I left my umbrella in the long gone taxi.  Karen's story I want to hear soon and I think she wants someone that will understand it from having lived in the US for so long.  She is American but Mexican blood and is here to help and care for her Grandmother.  A very exceptional person.  I asked how she was getting along...first personal feeler I have put out since I met her.  She was getting along...not happy but resigned.  I hope to talk to her again in the future when she is not working.  

        My Vase was OK and I was exhilarated after a long and wonderful day.  Time is running short and the closer I get to leaving the more I look forward to returning.   

     I'm anxious to see my Arizona friends....about 4-7 that I can think of.  I miss Adam and Danny, my bartenders, and a few of my Poker buddies and acquaintances in both New River and Talking Stick. 

         Enough...I think I'll mop the floor tomorrow.  I like living outside of Oaxaca, even though it's an inconvenience at times, it's a comfortable resting place.  The problem is that something is going on in Oaxaca everyday...you wonder what you miss if you don't go.  

          I'm anxious about the future of my condo in Scottsdale.  A lot of my lifestyle depends on how this scenario unfolds.  Do I rent it and cover most of the expenses while saving money and enjoying Oaxaca...or do I keep it without renting and absorb the costs until my savings run out.  The later means I will be stuck in Oaxaca to afford Scottsdale.  Not a bad situation but when the frequent flyer miles run out then I'll join the illegals and hop a train home or create a new home?

The Three Major Wold Banks are ripping off the world...with our help!

Using special exemptions granted by the Federal Reserve Bank and relaxed regulations approved by Congress, the banks have bought huge swaths of infrastructure used to store commodities and deliver them to consumers — from pipelines and refineries in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas; to fleets of more than 100 double-hulled oil tankers at sea around the globe; to companies that control operations at major ports like Oakland, Calif., and Seattle.

In the case of aluminum, Goldman bought Metro International Trade Services, one of the country’s biggest storers of the metal. More than a quarter of the supply of aluminum available on the market is  kept in the company’s Detroit-area warehouses.

Before Goldman bought Metro International three years ago, warehouse customers used to wait an average of six weeks for their purchases to be located, retrieved by forklift and delivered to factories. But now that Goldman owns the company, the wait has grown more than 20-fold — to more than 16 months, according to industry records.

Longer waits might be written off as an aggravation, but they also make aluminum more expensive nearly everywhere in the country because of the arcane formula used to determine the cost of the metal on the spot market. The delays are so acute that Coca-Cola and many other manufacturers avoid buying aluminum stored here. Nonetheless, they still pay the higher price.

NYTimes

The Guelaguetza...a Celebration of Oaxacan Identity.

     The largest celebration of the year has begun in Oaxaca.  Folkloric group from each of the eight regions of Oaxaca participate wearing their regional clothing, exhibiting their dances and community ritual.  120,000 visitors are expected from Mexico and overseas.Activities take place throughout the city with over 60 different events including a Mezcal Festival in Llano Parque.

         The Celebration started with a big gathering at the Zocola.  Each of 8 representatives of the districts of Oaxaca (all women) was introduced and came on stage to explain the dress, culture, customs and music of the district and what made it special. It looked like Miss Mexico contest.  They were decked out with the costumes so elaborate and their hair done up like movie stars.

           Yesterday I took the bus to Walmart and found a wastebasket!  I was thrilled to find my wastebasket...and Goo Gone!  Still not everything but I'm done with the shopping...only took me 10 weeks?   Still need a lounge chair.

         I  caught the wrong bus back and got the tour of the villages. Walmart is farther from the Zocola then Yartareni where I live.  I forgot my camera yesterday so missed out. It was a race to make the second bus stop for the transfer before the rain came. I did.

        Tonight nothing happens until 8 pm ...Monday is the first BIG day and I didn't get tickets.  No fun by myself with the crowd.  I'm trying to get tickets for the Mexican Ballet at the Belle Arts in Mexico City before I go.
        The day was spent doing nothing.  Reading, playing poker, watching John Adams and catching up on emails. The evening sky is clear for a change with an almost full moon to accent it.  I can hear music echoing off the mountains.  I'm not sure if it is from the Zocola and the beginning of the festivities or the Restaurant down the street.

Mezcal Bar and another Apartment for Helen

       I took the MotoTaxi to my bus stop.

Auto-bus Stop

    I met Victor at the address I was given. There was a 2 Bedroom Apartment to look at in a compound with other units, an Art and Photo Gallery and a Restaurant in front featuring a Mezcal Bar that had live Cuban music on the weekends.

Then I returned home...