THREE NIGHTS THEN HOME TO OAXACA ....continued

   I had breakfast then went to Starbucks and had another breakfast while searching for Chocolate to bring.

 I thought he was just joking but when I returned for the Noon start of my first SMA Domino's game I saw FOUR boxes of those Roko Akor or whatever.  Rich large hunks of Chocolate loaded with crisp nuggat filling. We had five of us guys..Richard, Don, David, Bob, myself and two French ladies Genvieve and Jacquie I think.  We sat according to the draw of the Domino's.  I was in between Richard and Jacquie.  It was a great group of fun 65 and older...mostly over 70 except for me and Jacquie.
    We played until around 2:30-3 pm when Don broke out trays of meat and cheese for sandwiches with his homemade Bread and Butter Pickles and bread for sandwiches.  There was a large bowl of fresh fruit consisting of Papaya, Pineapple, Mangoes, Grapes, and Bananas.  I was doing good until the last couple games I fell way behind but Richard was last which gave me a quiet inner satisfaction.  It seemed the two ladies were in the lead.  We had shared a joint or two before eating so the Chocolate was offered when we started the second half of the game.
     A few more joints went around the table and I was starting to have a hard time concentrating on Domino's.  The repartee going around the table was mostly directed at Richard with his occasional remarks.  When asked why he was taking so long he replied something like it is a philosophy of mine.  Jacquie queried "You have a Philosophy" and her and I started laughing and we couldn't stop.  It went on like that until the end.  Richard took it with good humor.  Though I placed second to last, Richard placed last though it was only by a few points.  Genevieve won with Jacquie second and we all enjoyed a really, really delightful fun afternoon.

WOW...WHAT THE FUCK IS BOB LOOKIN AT...I THOUGHT RICHARD WAS WIERD...HEY DON'T THE LADIES LOOK GOOD!

     Still hungry I offered the other David a drink if he would join me at BERLIN for dinner.  He had the steak and I the Bratwurst.  The meal was excellent and we got back around 8 pm so I could get to bed early for my 10 am bus ride to Mexico City.

    I was up by 8 am and woke abruptly in a cold shower.  I had my usual, fruit, All Bran and yogurt before bidding Don goodbye.  I caught a Taxi right away and was at the Bus Station by 8:45.  I took a nap on the bus.  The bus had to take a detour because of construction so we didn't arrive until around 5 pm.  Mexico has stands in all the airports and bus stations that you have to stand in line in to get a ticket for a Taxi.

 Then there is a line of these "assistants" that take your bag, then you follow them to the line of taxi's waiting outside.  They open the door for you, you tip them and then you give the ticket to the driver and takes you to your destination.  Why you can't just go out and get in a taxi is beyond me!  The station was the Central Station North so the taxi ride into the center took almost an hour in the traffic.  My room was waiting and the Hotel had full occupancy.  I went out for Sushi and Beer then retired early.
       I had a nice leisurely breakfast at Starbucks then sat around the hotel room playing on my computer while finishing my coffee.

Check out time had a taxi waiting and I was at the airport for a 6 hour wait.  It was boring but I was in Oaxaca that evening around 8 when I got to my condo. Felt good to be back but my body didn't.  I think I caught something.?
   

THREE NIGHTS THEN HOME TO OAXACA..

    I called my tenants Monday afternoon to discuss their early departure.  I was a little worried and wanted assurance they desired to return next year before I made any rental commitments back in Oaxaca for the next trip.  Don, my tenant said it was a financial problem caused by a large prior claim with the health insurance company that was now being denied.  The Insurance company wants more verification ASAP or requires them to pay 60% of the total costs.  They want to get back and make appointments with all the doctors to get written verification from them before any liens get put against them.  I too want to get back in order to make all my appointments with the doctors.  They will take my car for a spin to make sure the battery is OK and leave the cash for the cable bill. I will tear up their last month's rent and if all goes well we will do this all over again starting in October this year.  I couldn't ask for better tenants.

DRUM AND BUGLE CORP IN BENITO JUAREZ PARK

     I'm going to try and make BERLIN early for dinner tonight or maybe I'll try a Russian place I discovered. I spent a few hours at Starbucks getting caught up then found the Russian place for Borch and Hot Chocolate.

 Met a lady there that said the place would never make it yet it was good.  I was attracted by the Russian Orthodox church poster from Tallin Estonia...I have been there and was hoping to meet the owner of the restaurant to find out where she was from.  Sad but I think the place will fold. This customer had been to Iraq, Russia, Turkey etc.  Meeting a lot of well traveled and well off people.  Funny they all come to Mexico to live.  It's the climate.
    I went home just as it started to rain.  Mild rain.  Got a taxi then relaxed while the maid cleaned my room then rested a short time.  When I got ready to leave the rain increased.  I took a taxi to BERLIN.  Henry from Dover N.H. and Susan from Gloucester Mass arrived.  I offered to move over so they could sit together at the bar but Susan sat on my right and Henry on my left.  They said they get along better that way.  She was full Irish as her parents and grandparents came to Gloucester to fish.  Henry had traveled the world and lived all over the US.  They were in there 70's and in love. Great humor between them and wonderful people.  Henry introduced her to Mexico and she fell in love with it.  They come now every winter.  I had a fantastic Meatloaf and Mash Potatoes with salad then headed up the street to a new place called Tapas.

       Now it was raining more but I walked.  I had a glass of wine at the bar and a Chocolate Truffle to go with it and complement my wonderful meal at BERLIN.  The bartender practiced his English on me.  A young man that won a scholarship to Santiago Spain where the pilgrimage takes place every year.  He will attend the University there.  He is so excited.  Brad..an arrogant drunk from Austin Texas sat near and started bragging about the only place in the world was here because of the weather and because he lived here.  He was some mucky muck artist that loved himself.

 I left.  It was now a river outside when I luckily got a taxi directly home.  David and Don were there and later Walt came in from dancing the Flamingo at a local bar and restaurant.  I figured why Flamingo is so popular after he explained.  It's like Dirty Dancing with strange exotic women anywhere you go in the world. Makes sense to me.  So after Don and I discussed our radiation treatment for Prostate cancer and our "lost" libido, I retired to find both the cats in my bed.  Don and I both agreed our world had changed and we were not tethered to sex anymore.  Other things became more prevalent...like Dominoes, reading, Cats, etc.  We both miss our sex life but have new horizons...and at this age it is not an issue.  Don also informed me that if I wanted to play Dominoes tomorrow with the group . it was required to bring some Chocolate to share....to be continued.

AWESOME GUANAJUATO

    A short one hour plus bus ride on the Premier Bus with Movies and Wi Fi included in the $10 bus ride.  Nice country.  Reminded me of Southern California.  I hopped another bus to the Centro Historic area of the City after arrival.  We meandered through a maze of underground tunnels.  Some people exited in the tunnel and walked up the stairway to where ever?  I waited until we surfaced and was close to the center then exited and backtracked to a hotel that looked reasonable.  There was a Welcome Penn State sign on the front desk!  Yes, they were there for a travel trip or something.  I noticed them all around the area...you just knew they were Happy Valley people.

     I unpacked and headed out taking pictures for about 2 hours until my battery ran dead.  I returned, took a nap, replaced the battery and headed out for Saturday night in Guanajuato.  It was great.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.  Early that evening I returned to my Casa De Aqua and turned in early.

WEDDING PARTY LOOKING FOR BATHROOM AT DOMINOS

THE TUNA OF GUANAJUATO

FRESH HOT BREAD

FLOWERS

THE OPERA HOUSE

    Sunday I was out the door to watch a women's marathon race. It was World Women's Day.    THE WOMEN OF OAXACA.   The city was mapped out for the race and it appeared women from all over were participating.  Also Children and a lone Father with his son.

 Later I checked out then visited the Cathedral and the Teatro Juarez.  Now it's time to catch the return bus to San Miguel De Allende...after a nice lunch!

       Our bus departed on time and I took another to Centro San Miguel De Allende after arriving at the station.  I should have taken a taxi as that fancy lunch was causing severe discomfort and I still had to walk a ways to my room.  To be safe,I took a taxi.  I arrived, freshened up, relieved myself and was off for dinner at BERLIN.  They were full so walked up to the Jardin to pass some time before returning.  The Cuba Fest was in full swing in the plaza with a dance contest and Cuban dance troupe following.

 The sun was setting and so was I.  Returning to BERLIN I discovered it was busier.  Sunday night and a lot of restaurants were closed including my second choice which was a nice TAPAS and Wine bar.
      I walked to Hecho en Mexico and sat at the bar where all the waiters dropped off the dirty glasses to be washed.  It was almost 10 minutes before the bartenders acknowledged me with a glass of wine.  10 more minutes before they offered me a menu...20 minutes before my Chicken Soup arrived...but I ordered the Cheese and Fruit platter to go with the wine??  10 more minutes and the platter for 4 arrived with my second glass of wine.  When I was full , half the order was still there so I packed it up and was the LAST customer out of the restaurant.  Outside was a large group of individuals trying to get a taxi back to their respective hotels.  I started walking and finally caught one to return me home where I discovered there was no Hot water or heat because the gas ran out over the weekend and the gas man couldn't come until Monday morning.  I froze and was in and out of bed, thanks to my lovely lunch before leaving Guanajuato.  I slept late.  Too cold to get out of bed.
The gas man arrived and after breakfast I had a nice hot shower.  I managed to do some laundry at the same time.
      When I left the house the weather was now warmed up to 68%, sunny and pleasant.  I spent the morning at Starbucks...one of the nicest...before returning to relax before trying BERLIN again...or maybe I'll try a Russian place I've been curious about.  I'll let you know in the last installment before I return to Oaxaca.