LAST WEEK BEFORE ADIOS OAXACA

       I was going off to lunch at a recommended place for Chili Nogada.  A green chili stuffed with minced chicken or pork and nuts with herbs, then topped with a Creme sauce with pomegranate seeds.  It looked so good in pictures I had to try it out.  On my way I heard someone call David!
         Joan was shopping in a nearby shop when she spotted me passing by.  She had gone to Mitla yesterday and enjoyed it. Today she had just come from the Market near the Zocalo.  She joined me for lunch and trying her first Mole with Vegetables.  It was raining when we said goodbye and returned home.  We had planned to have dinner the following evening.
      Getting close to dinner time.  Did nothing all day and now it's raining.  The Gods are Angry!  Rolling Thunder!  All the birds in the complex are out soaking up the rain, preening, fluttering their wings, taking a bath, and enjoying it.  So many different species..hummingbirds, canaries, doves...all flying back and forth.  The rain slowed, so after dropping off my laundry, I took advantage of the lull and hopped a bus to the library where I caught up on my NEWS of the day and did my SUDUKO before going next door and meeting Joan.  We walked to El Sol y La Luna just as they were opening, ordered and by the time we finished we gave up our seats to the line out the door.  Our Pizza and Salads were great.  The rain and stopped and after seeing her back to Mariposa we agreed to meet for lunch at Biznaga after her tour of the Gardens behind Santa Domingo.
           We met at 1 pm and walked over to a special display of solar energy uses and craft booths with things from Paper Making from Agave plants, to homemade Guitars.

 We then went on to Biznaga for a wonderful lunch of fresh fish before taking a taxi back (it was raining) to our respective homes and agreeing to meet Palm Sunday to take some photos of Religious processions...at 9 AM!

       I settled in and was relaxing while fixing a hot chocolate when I heard a wrap on the window and looked up to find my neighbor Tom. He brought a box of white wine over to offer a farewell drink.  We finished the wine, then broke out the Scotch and were totally totaled by the time he left.  It was one of only a few times since I've been here that I let myself go but really enjoyed the conversation.  He is a very nice and special person and I was feeling bad that I was not returning.  He assured me that I just had to let Tere, the landlady know that I wanted to return if things didn't workout and she would welcome me with open arms.  I do so like the gardens here.
       Needless to say, I missed my coffee appointment with Joan this morning and the morning...it is now almost noon. She emailed an invite for lunch Monday, as she was leaving on Tuesday.
       She spent the day in San Martin, a pueblo of wood carvers, and was introduced to one of the best.  He took her to his home and showed her how they carve the copal wood then the family paints the different figures before they go on sale.  We had lunch at nearby restaurant then I was home by late afternoon.

Chili Nogada

Mole y Vegatables

       My last day I did nothing but finished packing, getting boarding passes, and making sure I didn't forget anything.  I did make a trip in to Oaxaca for a last "walkabout" before I left. Tomorrow morning the taxi picks me up at 6:30 am..board the plane at 8:15 for Mexico City.  I have a 6 hour layover there before hopping the 2:45 flight to bring me in to Phoenix at 5:25 where Marjorie will give me a lift home.  Can't wait to sleep in my own bed again.
      Everything went as planned except my Global Entry Pass wouldn't authorize my entry.  It seems that when I have my fingerprints checked, my arrest record keeps coming up as that stays on your record forever.  The TSA officer said he will request that an exception be programmed into my record that will bypass that the next time...yeah right.
      I came home and flushed paper down the toilet, brushed my teeth with my Sonic electric, used my Water Pic for about 20 minutes and drank water out of the tap.  Amazing the things we take for granted aren't always available when you travel.  No more news until the next travel adventure...?

NURSING A COLD

       It has been a week since I returned.  The first few days were spent getting and taking cold medicine and drinking lots of fresh juices.  I started getting out of the condo by the fourth day when I went to see an apartment for rent year round.  I would move in when I return in December then decide if I wanted to "go for it" .   Rent is the same as I'm paying but for the year it is 55000 Pesos.  I now pay 7000 Pesos a month...or 84000 Pesos a year...big difference in savings and I could decorate the way I like, leave everything as is and return just the way I left it.  I liked it so committed.  Then informed my landlady that I would stay if she could give me the same deal but NO WAY...she wants short term riches over long term security.  I start moving in two days.
        Today I did a tour of the Photo Gallery.  Three exhibitions were on display.  One famous Latin American, one Swedish lady, and one really off the wall documentary on Drug users.
        I enjoyed lunch at Cafe Ciela then headed for a lecture on Play not Work at the library.  It was two hours and given by a professional Photographer.  Quite good.  Now I'm off for dinner with Lisa around the corner.  I invited Halina, my Polish friend to join us.  Here are some photos from GTO (Guanajuato) and SMA (San Miguel De Allende) so you don't consider this post a bust.

AT 9 YEARS OLD SHE TOLD HER FATHER SHE WANTED TO BE A NUN
HE BUILT HER THIS BASILICA

THIS LADY USES A WALMART SHOPPING BAG TO PROTECT HER FROM THE SUN

ALL ABOARD

THIS COMEDIAN HAS GOT THE ATTENTION OF THE AUDIENCE

AUDIENCE

I DO SO LOVE SAN DIEGO

      We had a nice dinner (Pizza) at Viajo Lira and enjoyed our get together.
A few days later I dragged a lot of my belongings to the Los Nogales entrance and flagged a taxi.  I showed him what I had to move and explained that when we were finished, he could charge me what he thought was fair for the ride and assistance. We filled the trunk and back seat, arrived and unloaded everything inside my new place of residence.  He wanted 50 pesos...$3.50...I gave him 100 pesos and thanked him.  Mary helped me haul the items into storage and seemed surprised at how much I brought but assured me they would find a place.  Monday I have a second load and then one before I leave.

         I felt nostalgic on leaving Los Nogales.  The friends and experiences there...good and bad.  The beauty of the gardens and view from my balcony.  The new place is more sterile but more modern with a nice kitchen.  The plus is ...it is mine to add to or change.  How much I'm allowed is not certain but Mary's apartment looked like my grandmother's home with family photos, comfortable furnishings, etc.  I could almost smell the cookies baking in the oven.
         Last night I visited one of my favorite restaurants, Tres Bistro , for their special Oaxacan Sabe.  Each year at this time a group of upscale restaurants get together and offer a 3 course dinner, with one drink and tip for $250 Peso.

        It was nice to see the familiar faces.  The host Saul greeted me warmly with a hug and inquired about my absence.  The meal I choose was Creme Tomato Soup with Chorizo Sausage, Rare Fillet Mignon with Baked Potato, Neapolitan Chocolate with Raspberries with a glass of red wine.  They threw in an after dinner chocolate with Lemoncello.  Very good.
          Today is Sunday and we are having a farewell dinner goodbye get together with Beth, Mike and myself.  Joan, a friend of Joy's, just arrived yesterday from North of Puerto Vallarta I think.  She is going to be here for 10 days and so I invited her to join us.  Tomorrow her and I are having a Oaxacan Sabe luncheon together.

        We had a fun dinner.  A friend of Beth's from Ottawa joined us.  Her 2nd winter here. Joan got to meet the "group" and we all had a nice dinner and conversation.
         Today I moved another suitcase and box of kitchen stuff to my new place.  I have one more small bag to drop and I'm done until I arrive in December. I met Joan at Mariposas for lunch.  We went to Origin Oaxaca for the Oaxacan Sabe.  They had some nice choices.  We both had the heritage tomato salad to start...so good. I had a Vegetarian Dish and Joan had the Sea Bass.  Dessert was Mango Lasagna for me and I don't know what Joan had but she said it was good.

 We returned to Mariposa in time for Happy Hour and free Mescaline's.  I had two...Joan doesn't drink much.  Good Day.
         I had dinner with Italian Joan at Italian Viajo Lira on the roof during a Thunderstorm.  The food was good but not great.  Joan had a wonderful story about her adventures that afternoon to Teotitlan de Valle, a Zapotec weavers Pueblo not far from Oaxaca City.  She accidentally met a weaver while preparing to take the bus there and explore.  He gave her a ride, showed her his family operation, dropped her in the village center to explore, and then picked her up and returned her to Oaxaca. Teotitlan de Valle  Tomorrow she explores the ruins of Mitla.