OAXACA ...AT LAST

    I had a mild case of Montazuma's Revenge...from a greasy Taco maybe.  I did have a McBurger but doubt that was it.  I went back for an Egg McMuffin then to the airport.
        David Shaver and his wife must have taken the 10 pm flight...too early for me.  The InterJet "SuperJet" was really nice.  We took off and in the distance you could see the SNOW capped Mountains of the Sierra Madre that surrounded Mexico City.  I did not see one of the largest and most monitored volcano in the world... Popocatepetl  It is the second largest in North America.  I was happy with lots of leg room, comfortable, and exits from the back and front after we landed and hour and 15 minute after boarding.
     I took a "collectivo" to the hacienda Hostel de la Nogales where I was staying.  Tere answered, gave me my keys and had most of my furniture stuff at the condo for me.  I wanted to get my boxes to unpack.  They were still on the ground, under the stairway, outdoors where I left them.  Lots of spider webs but managed to get them over to the condo.  I didn't want to unpack in the house.  I had no idea what I would find.  

6 boxes and one large suitcase.

     My neighbor Tom Wolfe made some sounds like I woke him slamming the door while I was going in and out.  He came out and told me he had been coming 4 years now.  He asked if I was going to stay long.  I said 6 months and he had to catch his breath.  He only stays 4 months and is used to having "HIS" BBQ and table and chairs to himself.  Now he has to share.  He was sick and went back to bed.  
      5 hours later I had unpacked the boxes but not my suitcase.  I decided to take the bus to the Zocalo (center) , eat and pick up some Vodka and water for the house.  It was dark and I got off the wrong stop and was going the wrong direction.  I corrected that when I discovered it and didn't recongize the Zocalo when I arrived.  It was packed with people sleeping in pup tents.  The restaurants were open and I sat with the Gringos watching the Series.  I returned home after a Cubana sandwich and some red wine.

VIEWS FROM MY TABLE

I read my "NEWS" , a daily publication  in English, about Mexico, then walked a bit taking pictures.  A lot a Day of the Dead people painted up as Scary Dead people.  Took a taxi back and retired.

Corn vender using a shopping cart with Charcoal Fire

Where is my Waiter!

Lonely Sailer

BACK IN THE SADDLE...NOW IN MEXICO CITY

         My helpful neighbor agreed to drive me to the airport this morning but had a meeting to attend.  She was nice enough to ring my doorbell on her way out.  My alarm had been going for 10-15 minutes but of course I didn't hear it.  I did hear the bell and woke, showered, dressed and was at the curb waiting for her when she returned from her meeting.  

       I arrived at USAir with my boarding pass in hand so just had to drop the bag and go to the gate.  One hour later I was on the 9:50 am direct flight to Mexico City.  I made the reservation months in advance to managed a seat in the bulkhead just behind first class.  The flight was sold out but a no show left the seat between me and the gentleman with an oxygen machine.  He lost half his lung a while back and now resides in Mazalan 6 months out  of the year.  He has been going there since he was 17 but says it's changed...that is an understatment. He was on a flight from California and got stuck in Phoenix for three days then has a 3 hour layover in Mexico City. 

    We arrived around 1:15 and I was at my hotel checking in at 2 pm.  TSA opened my bags again.  That is 4 times now...that I know of.  Didn't plan on doing much but when I went outside on the Tuesday night in Mexico City...it was hard to return.   I stopped down the street at a recommended restaurant and had the recommended Taco Al Pastor Especial with a Sol beer.  I was lost yet was around the corner from where I stayed a couple of years ago.

        I got some coffee and returned to the hotel to freshen up.  Not a bad place.  Centrally located, clean, and cheap.

  I got a map and oriented myself then took some photos, picked up some Vodka, OJ, Pringles and two McDonald Hamburgesas and returned to the room.   

     

Krishna from Lithuania on a trip around the world with the clan.

Your typical Tuesday night in Mexico City

  My landlady had been waiting for me so I wrote again with the same dates and times. She read my English wrong I think.  
      I ran into David and his wife while picking up my baggage earlier.  David Shaver and wife...what's her name, also live in Oaxaca 6 months a year and Scottsdale the other 6 months.  We met a couple of years ago through his son Andrew who went to school there.  Andrew is now working in Mexico City but now has a lady friend and may get married.  We are both flying the same flight into Oaxaca tomorrow. Big day unpacking all those boxes I put in storage last visit as well as the Day of the Dead events I have planned.  Good night.

FRIDAY...CHANGE OF PLANS

        I was feeling the onset of Barbara's Bronchitis and woke in the night with a sore throat, congestion and a real sinking feeling that my trip is over.  I never got up until almost 10 am and did not feel good.  I called my Uncle Johnny and told him I wasn't driving up to New Hampshire that day to visit.  I was afraid I'd infect him. This could be something I picked up on the plane and manifested itself 2 days later.  I emailed Frank and Kathy and told them I was going to change my flight and return home ASAP where I could get rest and Doctor's care.  They suggested I stay put, take some Antibiotics and get well. 
         I called Southwest Air to change my return flight to first available.  $450 they said.  That is what I paid for the round trip flight so it would cost me over $900 for round trip from Phoenix to Boston...almost what I paid to Europe and back.  I could wait until Monday and get a stop over flight for a $40 processing charge that sent me to Chicago for a 3 hour layover and left Boston at 5:30 AM.  I was pissed.   I thought I'd drive up to my cousin Ron's home in the Adirondacks Mountains and hang out there for a day or two and see how I felt after.  
        I packed and left around Noon but on the highway I decided to drive as close to the Boston Airport as I could and find a cheap motel to sleep, take meds, and see how I felt.  I was feeling good but the Mass Turnpike turned into a stop and go nightmare and around 5 pm I was still about 80 miles from Boston and had stopped three times for a WI FI connection trying to find a cheap motel...no such thing with all the Leaf Peepers out for the weekend to view the fall foliage in New England. Signs up said Traffic Delay due to Holiday Traffic?  I had no idea what holiday until the local news started talking about Columbus Day Weekend!  That is a big deal in New England area.

         After driving 20-30 mph on the 65 mph highway I decided to just get off and take a back road and stay at the first cheap place...a Comfort Inn had to be under $80...$170!  I found a Motel 8 for $90 but with Taxes $130...I took it. 
        I went out to get a bite to eat and mixer for my Gin ....an hour and a half later I made it back from the traffic with a frozen pizza, pocket burrito, bag of chips and some pink lemonade.  Great meal for a good nights sleep.
     Using Google flights...I booked a flight for the next day, Saturday. that left Logan airport in Boston for Newark,  N.J. at Noon with a 3 hour layover then a 5 hour flight into Phoenix that would put me home at around 8 pm tomorrow...if I'm alive.  I can't stay here.  The flight was to cost $300 one way...cheaper then $450...but when I went to pick a seat on the connecting flight out of Newark...all the economy seats were taken and I had to pay another $100 for a Premium economy seat and another $25 to check my bag.  I ended up saving $25 and could have had the direct flight with Southwest...too late...I just wanted to be home.  Now I have to get up at 7 am ,drive to Alamo to return the car and take the shuttle to the terminal to catch the Noon flight to N.J.  I have to go to bed.

Saturday.
        Up at 7:15 then breakfast and on the Mass Pike at 8 am. Returned rent a car and shuttle had me at United by 10 am. Global Entry had me through the lines in less than a minute...no shoes, jacket, computer or anything to remove ...just walk through the  metal detector and run your bag through the xray. Now the wait..departs for Newark at 12:30...Now 10:30...New England Clam Chowda sounds good.
     Departed Newark arrived Phoenix 7:30 pm.  Shuttle Bus home 8:30 pm.  Unpack and Bed Midnight.  See you in Mexico.

HELLO NEW YORK

     I did it.  Woke at 9 am.  

Peter drove me to the airport where I checked in at 11 am. 
Boarded the Iceland air plane at 1:30 pm.  
Arrived in Iceland at 3:15 pm.
Departed at 5:30 pm.  

Arrived in Boston at 8:30 pm.  

Sink w/hand dryer in Iceland

Global Entry Pass got me right through customs and immigration.  Took the shuttle bus to Alamo's Car Rental. Went right to pick-up area and choose my car
...hopped in and gave the lady my Special Alamo's pass and was on the Mass Turnpike by 9 pm

...arrived in Coxsackie , N.Y. at my cousins at 11:30 pm.  

I was in bed at 1 am....7am  Amsterdam time.  
I had been up for 22 hours with one nap on the plane to Iceland.  Terrible sleep but a great bed!  Maybe it was the hemorrhoids.

      Sad news was my Aunt Charlotte, Helen and Barbara's mother, my father's sister, died at 96 and 10 months of a stroke.  Her wish was to be laid out in a casket.  They said she looked so good!  She liked looking good...always dressed nice.
      She was cremated after the funeral.  The family  are returning to my home town of Attica on the 15th of October to put her ashes with our "clan".  

Wednesday the 8th
        My cousins Helen and Barbara and I all went to a nice restaurant along the Hudson River with David , Helen's husband driving and picking up the bill. I had Lobster Roll of course and fresh Peach cobbler. 
      Just after walking in the house, David, who has a combo pacemaker/defibrillator, got zapped by the defibrillator for the first time.  He was a little pale but OK.  We called the monitoring station and they said he is to come in immediately if it does that again and in the morning go right to the hospital for a check up with the cardiologist.

       Meanwhile Helen's daughter, who has an on going problem with the drink disappeared then called her ex husband in Houston to inform him she was swimming in the ocean.  Found her today passed out on her lawn.  Problem is she has two daughters.  One had been staying with Helen and is on her own but returned to live at home and the other is still in school.  Her sister, Helen's other daughter took care of the younger daughter...I guess?

Thursday the 9th
       Helen and David left for the hospital to be checked this morning. I took pictures of the surrounding fall foliage.  

I'm treating them all to dinner tonight if David isn't admitted to the hospital.
      He wasn't and only lost a day of work instead of his life. 

      I have been following up an enquiry about our relatives in Ancestry.com.  A man named Howard John Taylor in San Anglos Texas claimed to be our blood Grandfather's son.  That made him my Aunt Charlotte and my Dad's half brother. Both of them knew that but last saw him in 1950 at their father's funeral.  He was 7 years old then and I was 5 and they were in their 30's.
        Any contact with him ceased and he disappeared.  It was never discussed by the family.  There was the death of my Aunt Helen (Charlotte and Dad's younger sister) in a drowning, a divorce, remarriage, my Dad quitting school at 15 and leaving Attica never to return for 13 years, and just a lot of mystery that wasn't discussed. 
        My cousins and myself were trying to trace our Grandfather's ancestry and so was Howard when he saw our notices on Ancestry and emailed an enquiry to me.   I followed it up before leaving to Europe but hadn't heard back.  Barbara decided we should call him at the only contact I had...his place of employment...the San Anglos Museum of Art in Texas, which won some award presented by Laura Bush to the Museum for being one of the top 9 in the US.  Howard is the Director and has been involved in the Maritime Museum, another museum in Buffalo, something or other and has had a stellar career Managing Museums.  
      She called and asked that he call her back.  When the secretary asked what this was in relation to, Barb replied it's personal. He returned the call that afternoon and both Helen and Barb talked to him for almost a half hour.  
       He was our half Uncle and 71 years old, the same as Helen and only two years older than me. So many questions were answered that afternoon and so many more to be answered. Howard only knew his father until he died when Howard was 7,  then later, his mother remarried.  He had a half brother and half sister from her as well as from his father's first marriage to our grandmother Julia.  He was basically an only child like me.  He had been to Attica and remembers meeting me and my friends he played with while his father talked to my Dad.  We all agreed to keep in touch and resolve all these questions.  There were many that a movie could be made from the story. His father, our Grandfather being the black sheep of what became a very well off family, etc.

         We left for Max's restaurant after our conversation with Howard,  for our 5 pm Reservations.  President Clinton likes Max's and so did we.  A great restaurant that is beautiful, has great background music, pleasant well trained wait staff and an excellent menu and wine list.

 I had Fresh Butternut Squash soup followed by Roasted Duck Breast in Grand Marnier Orange sauce, Scalloped potatoes, Brussel Sprouts and Carrots...followed by Taylor's Port, Chocolate Mousse, and Coffee.

 All accompanied by a nice California Pinot Noir which I finished at home while we sat up watching Blue Bloods.
     

SATURDAY..VISIT JEANNETTE..SUNDAY BIRTHDAY

           I requested to go to Hilversum with Peter Saturday because I wanted to share my Birthday with Jeannette, who seldom forgot it, no matter where I was.  I thought it would be nice.  Peter pointed out my Birthday wasn't until Sunday.  Oh well...I'll go and pretend.
           He bought me another present of Dutch Cheese in addition to a Chocolate Cake,  to take home. 
           I slept late Saturday. Then went out to get a bite to eat. I bought a roll in the bakery to make a peanut butter sandwich at home.  When I went to pay her, she said to give the money to the machine.  They have a machine that is the cashier.  She tells you how much and bags it and you pay the machine.  It give change and she never handles the money.  Can't rob the machine.

        The streets were full of people.  This has been a record breaking month for Holland.  Sunshine and warm days...after day ...after day.  People were so happy and just enjoying it all.  I wish I had time to visit the Park today.  It will be full of musicians, people, picnics, bicycles, families, dogs, and nudists.   Yes you can sunbath in the park...generally in a private out of the way place.  I just finished a great Tuna Melt at my local restaurant Goos.

Now want to get out and walk it off.
       Our visit to Jeannette's was lovely.  We arrived as two of her long time Gay friends were just leaving after spending the afternoon with her in the Garden.  We took thier place. Later we were moved to the outside dining table and had a nice dinner of Chicken with a Bacon creme sauce, fresh Carrots and Broccoli. Peter kissed her goodbye and we returned as darkness set in.

         Today was my birthday.  I was raining when I went to bed and sunshine when I woke.  The temperatures had cooled down a bit.  I did my laundry and went to breakfast then returned to relax as clouds and cold moved in to Amsterdam.  

       Peter left to see Jeannette and I went to Libero Italian Restaurant again to try the Naples Pizza.  I've had better so  packed half of it for take away and ordered white chocolate ice cream with espresso and Armagnac Brandy on the side.  All in all it was OK.  

         I walked back and noticed the owner of the bookstore sitting outside on a bench after he closed so joined him.  We talked at least a half hour about travel to Italy , the future of books, business, Holland, Jeannette and Peter,  and about our lives in the latter years.  

         I'm 69 years of age today.  I got a birthday salutation from my daughter in Buffalo last night, and more today from my friends Marjorie in Scottsdale, Frank in West Barnstable on the Cape, special friend Chris in New River, Roaring Fork Restaurant, Google , and Bill that went to school with me in Attica and is now living in Tucson , Arizona.  That is it.  The sum of my life. 

         The age 69 is symbolic with my sex life...now I am a 6 or a 9 but with prostate cancer behind me I have to work on having any kind of sex life.  My Libido since, has disappeared...died. 

        My future outlook of course is short lived. I have friends over 85 they are vibrant and enjoying everyday.  My Aunt and Uncle are both over 85 and also enjoying everyday.  I personally don't believe I will live past 80 and at this point don't really care too much about it.  If it happens, it happens.  
        When I was young I was ambitious and looking forward to making a future, stressed, and focused on making right decisions to insure my future...pay off the mortgage, save for retirement, see the world, etc.   The the past was past and didn't really matter. 

          Now we tend to pine for the past but that leads to depression...long for something in the future just creates anxiety.  The way is to live NOW.  I strive to do that but my priorities have changed.  I tired easy.  Naps and health are important. I do strive to be active and continue to travel but health issues have slowed me down. That gives me time to smell the Roses and that had lots of benefits.  I enjoy the things I never took the time for in the past.  So Happy Birthday to Me!

      Peter arrived and he insisted I share his single malt Scotch Whiskey on my birthday so what the hell.  Well I finished the Bottle of wine, and the bottle of Vodka...so ?   We toasted our visit with Single Malt Laphroig Quarter Cask 12 year old Scotch.    Tomorrow I have one bottle of wine left to enjoy for my departure.  Hard liquors may make me miss my flight.  This has been a really unplanned nice day.
     Last day.  Woke Packed.  Ate. Went to bed.  Off tomorrow.  Bye Amsterdam!