DOMINOS AND OFF TO SMA...SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

         The movie was in French from Quebec NOT Canadian English.  My Canadian friends left...but Halina was late so we didn't sit together or we would have left but instead saw the whole two hours.  We were glad we did ...for the acting and actors were good but it wasn't something I would have paid a lot to see.  It only cost $2.10.  We went back to Tapas and Vino and had a great time in a VERY crowded lovely place.
    We walked home together and I stopped at my Mezcal Bar for a shot with Alvaro before arriving to find my laundry bag hanging on my door...thank you Helen.

CAN YOU GUESS?

 
   I have to interject this:

 https://casitacolibri.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/rebellion-shout-the-people/

Then there is this side of the coin:

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/feb/25/press-freedom-mexico-murder-threat-duopoly

...and how the Mexican Zapistas movement has spread around the world:  This is a good organization

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jan/14/zapatistas-burmese-migrants-thailand-international-solidarity

and sad news:

https://news.vice.com/article/paramilitaries-are-still-murdering-zapatistas-in-mexico

A LOT GOES ON IN MEXICO THAT IS NOT IN THE PRESS OR NOTICED...SWEPT UNDER

  I'm not a fan of the teacher's strike or the fact they use this as an excuse to grab attention but I do feel as do the people of Mexico...the government isn't doing enough to uncover the whole truth.   As for the teachers....the unions were recruiting more demonstrators at the Abastos Market today to join there cause along with all the unions forming a formidable opposition to the government decisions to eliminate the generous benefits they have turning into pay without working and lifetime tenure for members AND their children.  This is going to come to a head in the coming year.

On a higher note:   https://casitacolibri.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/fridays-during-lent-in-oaxaca/

Friday I booked a 6 course Marroqui dinner at Origen Oaxaca, a fairly upscale restaurant I hadn't been to. The Chef, Hagar Aviram owns and operates VagabondCookery.com  She contracts out to people and sponsors her own events with the help of El Sol y la Luna and Origen restaurants.  There was a large group of gringos from Las Mariposa's B and B along with Richard, Mike and myself that attended.  It was 400 Pesos...$28 and you pay for the wine.
       Harira was a lentil soup starter...forgot to photograph
       Pastilla ...a fish pie with tabule salad

..opps...too late

      Maharshi..Squash stuffed with lamb Marquez, rice and herbs

...we all loved that

     Trio de ensaladas....Cauliflower in green tahini, cumin, beets and carrots with harissa....the servers forgot we were there!

     Couscous...with chicken tagine, green olives and preserved lemon

...a little late with the camera

      Cigaros..Nut pastry with orange syrup...have to take my word..very good.

We complained about the missing serving but they didn't care so we paid the bill and left.

Helen was supposed to move in today, Saturday but choose her own place that Tere the landlady found for her.  We are having a farewell dinner tonight at Biznaga with Halina.  Helen is off for Chiapias in another week and I'm off tomorrow for San Miguel De Allende with Richard in his car.  An 11 hour drive!  This will be interesting.

See you all in SMA.

BACK IN OAXACA

         The first few days I spent shopping, blogging, relaxing, and enjoying the weather. Richard and I got together for dinner one night to discuss our trip the first of March to SMA, San Miguel De Allende.  I will stay at his house for a day or two then maybe rent an Air B and B from his friend.  It depends on the renter that is there now.

REFLECTION OF GARDEN BEHIND ME

       Friday we had our Domino's game at the hotel.  There were four of us...first two rounds I lost then took the next 6 in a row, something Richard said he had never seen happen before.  I won!
      We had lunch there then at 5 pm I went to the library to see the "Storm that Swept Mexico", a two hour PBS Documentary about the violent coups and revolution that took place from the late 1800's to the 1968 massacre of over 300 protesters in Mexico City during the World Olympics.  It was an eye opener and an education in how different countries, USA especially, used Mexico (with the help of greedy and corrupt politicians) and how the people fought to gain there rights. Recommend it.

ISRAELI TOAST WITH FRUIT SALAD

TABULA

WHITE BALL ARE GOAT CHEESE WITH WALNUTS AND APPLES

      Most of the week spent enjoying the weather and eating out.  Helen suggested I meet her with her friends at the stamp museum for the afternoon then lunch after.

Not like any stamp museum I have ever been to.  The only one actually.   It was  a very nice visit as well as lunch after at an Argentina Restaurant.

Tonight I joined Halina to attend the movie is Ida, a polish film that supposedly won an Oscar? We left half way through the depressing and boring film to share some Tapas nearby.    

       Today, Thursday, Helen and I had a private tour of
Abastos, the largest Peasant Market at 30 Acres , in MEXICO.  Gary, a snowbird from British Columbia, was our guide.

CORN FUNGUS

  It was a long but interesting afternoon that both Helen and I enjoyed.   Tonight Helen and I join Halina for  a  Canadian Movie, called Mommy. Hope that is better than last nights?