THE END...FOR NOW.

       I crossed Restaurant Mediterranean off my "bucket list" last night.  I would recommended it though a first and only meal doesn't tell the whole story, it was VERY Good...as was the service.

8 Tables 36 Seat and Attractive

 Manuel Iraizos, the owner/manager, with his smiling professional nephew as a waiter succeeded in
making my experience very pleasing.  He has a number of Red Wines to choose from...all very reasonable...as it the entire drink and food selection.  I did see a Sauvigion Blanc listed as a White wine but didn't notice others. His web site: Restaurant Mediterraneo doesn't show the menu though I can assure you he has over 7 different Pasta dishes and 7 Featured Specials...as well as Salads,   

Botanas, and Tapas with very reasonable prices.  No "sticker" shock here. Hours are Monday thru Saturday 5 pm to 11.  Located at Abasolo 518 , it is a little more than a block off Pino Suarez just past Los Libros and next door to the best Mescal Store in Oaxaca.

COMPLIMENTARY TAPAS WITH EACH DRINK!

My Choice was the Salmon. There was a Fresh Red Snapper for the Fish of the Day also. It was served with a green pesto like sauce with herbs, garlic and tangy vinegar.  Similar to Chimichurri sauce.

Not as pictured on the Website BUT ample portion and Excellent

The perfectly cooked Salmon was accompanied by a Rice Pilaf with fresh chopped Squash and Cherry Tomatoes also cooked to perfection.

 No room for dessert.
Later I discovered Manuel is from Oaxaca and lived here all his life, speaks fluent English, well traveled and charming man. A must try!  Say hello to Manuel from David who has to return to Arizona so won't get to try the rest of the menu until I return.
     
I've been going to bed early so I don't oversleep when I have to rise at 5:30 am on Wednesday to catch my flight.  Last night I awoke when the earth our 8 unit two story building started moving. My second earthquake here in Oaxaca in the last two years.  OAXACAN EARTHQUAKE

 To discover what Oaxacan Food is all about:  OVERVIEW OF OAXACAN FOOD

THE FINAL DAYS

       I am off to Casa Charles for our Monthly Men's Happy Hour.  Today will be a Tribute to one of our Compadres , Ted, who passed away two weeks ago from Colon Cancer and is resting somewhere on top of Monte Alban looking down on us in Oaxaca. I arrived a bit late but the usual suspects were waiting..  Chuck arrived just after me and was the first to leave. I tried to dominate the conversation...what the hell ...this is MEN'S HAPPY HOUR.  I live alone and so do many...so we fight to let loose of all those thoughts and ideas we have been carrying around in our head since the last time..  Hector showed and it was good to see him...I shared a gift to help his Mom with muscle pain.  He had to soak and extract the properties of this fine herb but knew what he was doing.  I forgot to bring the special oil to mix with it when applying it to the skin but will see him maybe tomorrow at Breakfast with Peter.

     Most of our or MY conversation was about getting deals on long distance flights.  I discovered that Mexican Insurance (if you become a resident) is good anywhere in the world...plus your Visa charges can be cheap vs USA.  In  country travel is 1/2 the price for seniors and Medical procedures, ie Hip Replacement, Dental Implants, Knee replacement is cheap but that is also available to US citizens ...and so are the same procedures in India, Thailand and many other countries if your savvy in the world of travel.

       When I got loud enough, everyone excused themselves and returned to their respective homes.  We did toast the life of Ted who recently passed away...four times and I lost count but kept respect for Ted.   He was an outstanding person who might have been helped if his doctor hadn't soft soaped his condition. He did realize later...it was serious and then it was too late. They did what they could which was cremate him.

THAT IS WHAT I SAID!  LIKE THE SEE THROUGH T SHIRT!

       I stopped at Luna y Sol on the way for Pizza.  The Chef, a little cutie and I flirted back and forth.  It is what you do after 70.  Her attention flattered me...what can I say...and the Mescal that Hector brought to the H Hour just added to my bottle of Chilean Wine. I managed the bus to near by and walked home.

     Peter and I agreed to meet for Breakfast at a Cafe I passed that appeared to be very nice. I gave him the wrong directions and the next morning with my Blood Pressure at 71 over 40 ...I tried to email and call him to tell him I don't feel safe leaving the house but it was too late. I took a quick shower and took a taxi...I could barely walk...light headed and ready to sleep.  I got off but then realized I was at the right place but not the one Peter wanted.  I had a pastry and coffee to fortify myself to walk down the street where I knew Peter would be.  It was a place I had passed and never went in.  He was just getting ready to order along with his friends he invited to join him...a Interior Designer born in Jersey and living in NYC and her new mate...Peter's landlord Abraham that owns the building he has stayed in during his Snowbird visits from Lee, Mass...over 10 years now.

     We had a nice breakfast but I was still weak so returned right home and stayed there until dinner time.  Tom, my friend had recommended this restaurant not far away.  I thought is was one I had wanted to try so walked up for Salmon with Hollandaise, a glass of wine and cheap Henrick's Gin and Tonic.  I was satisfied but not impressed.

     Today I dropped my laundry off and took the bus to the library where I looked for the flyer on the Italian Restaurant.  It turned out that the one I thought was Tom's recommendation and on my bucket list was NOT the one I ate at last night.  I returned home after picking up a script to deliver to my friend Helen in Rochester N.Y. in May then just played poker on the Internet until it was time to pick up the laundry.  I returned home and then went to get a hand written prescription from Helen's Doctor since the Pharmacy would only give me one of the three she wanted.

      I picked up the script then headed for Epicuro , the nice real authentic Italian Restaurant that Tom wanted me to go to.  I walked in and knew it was the one.  I started with the House Red Wine that was elegant. They gave me a Tapas of sliced banana sauteed in olive oil and Garlic to accompany it.  The bread basket had your typical Bread Sticks but then some nice Italian Bread with a tasty Pizza like bread with cheese and a tart flavor that worked well with the wine.

     My order of Tenderloin of Beef arrived with nice Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Sauteed Vegetables. I had another Wine to go with that and was so pleased I had to order a Tawny Port Wine...Kafka or something like that to accompany my Fresh Pear Poached in Port wine with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream...made with fresh Mexican Vanilla Bean and served on Star Fruit.  I was in Heaven...I think I had an Orgasm...which would be a first in some time.  I tipped the Chef as well as the waiter and vowed to return Sunday to try the Pizza.

       Today I got a haircut .....tonight I am going to try a Mediterranean Restaurant. Why all the Restaurants...I had a list I never got around to...plus I can not get these meals at these prices when I return to Scottsdale!!!

FRIDAY AT THE PACHOTE MARKET, SATURDAY MADAME BUTTERFLY, SUNDAY BOUTIQUE SALE

     I visited the Pachote Organic Market for the last time before leaving.  Now I have to empty the refrigerator.  I picked up some eggs, Kale, Yogurt and Spinach.  Nice Mushrooms

     Donated some money on the way home.

AND JUST LOST EVERYTHING I HAVE WORKED ON FOR OVER 5 HOURS...IT WAS GOOD AND I HIT THE WRONG FFFNNN BUTTON AND IT'S GONE...THERE IS NO GO BACK...IT'S HISTORY...AND I WAS JUST GETTING READY TO PUBLISH IT...DAMN DAMN DAMN

I'm going to try and reconstruct it...f#$%^&....Damn it just did it again???

New day...

On the way home I donated to these really talented singing Blind couple.
       Saturday Morning I left a little late for the Opera.  Buses were few at that time and none going my direction so my legs were cramping up as I hurried along. This causes one HELL of a lot of PAIN.   All the taxis were full... one came at the last minute I jumped in but further down the road he made a wrong turn and had to circle back...I arrive one minute before the curtain fell and there was Madame Butterfly!

I sat through the whole 31/2 hours without falling asleep...it was quite good.  Simulcast from the MET in NYC.  I joined a friend Peter and we tried a new restaurant called Sabrina , just up the street.
I had fantastic Fresh Trout with Seasonal local Mushroom sauteed in Wine with Rice Pilaf on the side.

I returned home and spent Sunday doing nothing.  Went out for a walk.

 I encountered some students in a quiet demonstration...it was hot out so wasn't real crowded .

Monday I wanted to try a new restaurant that was given a favorable review in the Library Newsletter.

I walked there but discovered they were closed.

A new "Grocery" store opened just down the street with locally made food products.  Pickled Vegetables, Fresh wild Mushrooms, PEANUT BUTTER, Hummus, Tahini, Kefir, etc.  I bought some Peanut Butter and crossed the street and bought a small loaf of bread at the French Bakery to make sandwiches.

Returning home I ran into last year's neighbor and friend Tom.  I saw him when I first arrived but hadn't seen him since.  He has lived here year round for over 4 years, speaks good Mexican, and works out a lot. He offered me a Sueto, Beer served on Ice with lemon juice.  A perfect drink for a hot day.  We sat at the Zocalo and caught up on the last few months.  A large parade of protesters passed us.  Bus loads from the countryside.  Campisinos all carrying clubs and looking mean...200 or more is my guess.  They were marching to some rally for some reason?  

Tom waved goodbye as we vowed to get together again when I return.

       The next day had cooled down a bit and my legs weren't cramping so I walked back to the Restaurant and was the first and only guest for lunch.  I had a cup of "Turkish" coffee..boiled Organic Oaxaca coffee and then they pour off the top for you. Strong and good. I ordered the Seviche with a salad and Blue Corn Tortilla Crisp.

         Served with a refreshing Tea made with Fresh Ginger and Honey...all very good.

Still hungry I opted for the Fresh Fish Fillet with Salad and Mashed Potato. Also very good.

       Feeling really good, I decided to get a Foot Massage across town and on the way I discovered a delightful European Style Pastry Shop .  I had to sample one at least and will return for Espresso there again.

       I continued on to my Reflexologist and what seemed like two hours of Bliss.  I just remember being in a dream like state from the time I got on the massage table until I was a block down the street.  Now my legs really did feel great  and I decided to walk up to the Mescal Shop to buy some local distilled product to take back home.

         Well I'm happy now....I had a great day walking...my best since I arrived, I've cut my Meds down and feel so much better...and I've finally got this Blog DONE!

EYE PRESCRIPTION, LUNCH WITH HECTOR. . PACKING AND LAST MINUTE STUFF!

      My neighborhood ophthalmologist provided me with a eye script so I could order a new pair of glasses over the internet. Instead of sitting in the chair with the lens machine in front, you wear it, then after he plays with it until you can see good...you can walk around with what will be you new lenses.

      The next day I met with Hector for lunch and a nice visit.  He suggested I get my dental implant in the states or Mexico City as it is a new procedure for Oaxaca.

        On the way home I asked about all the construction near the Benito Juarez Market and Hector told me they are tearing out all the electric and restoring the market but making it safe and clean. Meanwhile they are moving everyone outside surrounding the building.

         Picked up some souvenirs and returned home.  It is hot now in the afternoons...the reason for the word Siesta...but I sleep well at night so go home to get out of the heat but get bored so as soon as the sun sets...I'm off to the Zocalo for a glass of wine.
     Today I said goodbye to Marc, my photographer friend and grad from R.I.T. in Rochester, N.Y.  I've been complaining that my photos have been crap for the last two months and I think something is wrong with my camera.  He took a look and suggested I remove the thumbprint from the lens. Duh.  I re-read the manual, played with the settings...but forgot the basics.  We had a nice lunch and I may meet him in Harwich where he generously offered me a place for a couple of days if I get over that way.
         I bused it back but at sunset decided to go out for my glass of wine at the Zocalo.  My friend and waiter Rolando, who worked a few years in California, asked me if I knew Ted , the Canadian that passed away last week.  It turned out Ted and him were friends and though I knew Ted's significant other was planning some ceremony to commemorate his death , nobody at the library knew anything about it BUT Ed told Rolando that today they took his ashes to Monte Alban...a world heritage site and sacred ground and spread his ashes...to the wind on the Mount or over a ancient Pyramid but he is resting where the world will continue to visit unaware of his presence there. Great place to be.

      Rolando makes 70 Pesos a day working 6 days a week from 6 pm to up to 2 am...so depends a lot on tips. That is $4.20...for 8 hours...just a hair above the minimum wage.  It was a beautiful night to sit out and watch the world go by...but at 8:30 I went ...bye bye and returned to bed early .
      I visited the Dentist for the last time.. she reminded me until I return for a cleaning.  I stopped for some coffee.

         
            I was on my way to Cabouche for Lunch when I saw a woman making her own nougat candy buy adding the nuts to two different blocks of Nougat she made with Milk, Water, and Honey and eggs I think...It was like a block of taffy...one made with Almond milk...I bought a small bar for desert after my lunch.

        

        The special today was a Vegetable Soup with Spinach Quiche with Squash Blossoms and Salad with Fruit Drink...Guabaya I think...and the Nougat which was soooo good.

Vegetables and Bessos...watercress.

SEE THE SQUASH BLOSSOM?

      All for $5.40....I am starting to sound like those retired snowbird gringos...AND IT WAS ONLY 60 PESOS....OH...I am one.

       Later that evening I went to visit another Mexican friend I met who is a bartender at El Mescalrita...a Mescal Bar that features a million different Mescals, Craft Beers, and Mexican Wines...at a high price.   It happened to be his first day off in 2 weeks...I did have a nice beer though.