ON GOING...TAJ MAHAL, CHURCH TOUR, ISRAELI CHEF DINNER...

Monday night was the informative lecture and slide show on Mexico City.  Helen was there so we sat together and had dinner after at the Vino y Luna.

Tuesday I went to Walmart and replaced my pillow that needed it.

That evening I contacted Helen to meet at Taj Mahal up the street for some Indian Food.

Forgot to take the Photo BEFORE..it was good

Wednesday Morning I met Peter at the Santa Domingo Basilica for the start of his Church walking tour.  This church was founded by the Dominicans.

There was a work crew removing an Art Exhibit from the front of the Church Grounds.  It was Carving of Huge Stones.

We passed the School of Law where the University students that didn't like something the Administration did...torched the place.

NOW CLASSES ARE TAUGHT IN FRONT ON THE STREET

The next church we went to was founded by the Augustine's

The third was founded by the Franciscans and the adjacent Convent is now being used as an Art School.

Our last church was founded by the Jesuits.  They were educators while the other orders were here to enlighten and convert the heathens.

I went shopping for a stove knob replacement afterwards and lucked out.  On the way home I stopped at an Artisan Craft Store.

When I returned home my stove knob fit upside down so still have to return it.

I went back to the Taj Mahal by myself to try another dish..Roos Chicken with a Lassi (yogurt drink) then walked over to the Zocalo to see the Danzon.

      Today I'm having dinner prepared by an Israeli Chef that works in NYC and Oaxaca.  I ate her food last year when she was a guest Chef at Luna y Sol restaurant. This morning I returned to exchange my stove knob but they didn't have the right one so kept what I had...my exercise for the day.
    I stopped on the way to the dinner party and picked up a couple of beers to have with my meal. When I arrived three ladies were already present.  One was a Chef friend, Annalisa that I knew from last year when she also did dinner parties, the other was on the Church tour with me and was with a friend Barbara that I recognized from other tours we shared.  Both were retired Sociologists from upstate NY area.

      The charming hostess prepared me a Vodka and fresh Grapefruit and I joined the group.  Appetizers were served with the cocktail and the other guests arrived.  Glen, from the states that fell in love while visiting Oaxaca and now makes his home here where he opened an attractive restaurant.           Uriel arrived with his sister, both Oaxacans from Mixe village but now own a jewelry store that provides people with the tools and items to make their own jewelry. Two other Mexican ladies joined us.  One has 70 dogs she raises, the other an Artist that studied in Toronto for 5 years.
     Hagar, our host, brought a bowl with pieces of paper inscribed with a character that matched a corresponding character on the table.  You drew one, found your corresponding one at the table and that is where you sat.  The character could have been Calligraphy, Arabic, or Mayan? Great idea.

ONE WORKING CHEF ONE TAKING A BREAK

MY SEAT

    The Chef, Hagar Aviram, an Israeli is an outstanding Chef that was preparing an all Vegetarian meal and explaining each course as she went along. She has a great web site Vagabond Cookery.
I returned home full and exhilarated after such a wonderful evening with wonderful companions.

ROASTED GARLIC WITH CREAM CHEESE SPREAD FOR A SOFT FLAT BREAD

READY SET GO

GAZPACHO SIMILAR TO SPANISH ANDULUSIAN

TORONTO ART GRADUATE AND URIEL'S SISTER?

THE START

LOVELY  WARM LENTILS AND SPINACH ON PUFF PASTRY SHELL

TASTY SALAD WITH FRESH FRUIT , PUMPKIN SEEDS AND SPINACH

URIEL CENTER AND BARBARA ON RIGHT

GLEN..I THINK  ASIDE OF THE LADY THAT WAS ON MY CHURCH TOUR

AMERICAN'S  LADY FRIEND

DELICIOUS SAUTEED SEASONAL MUSHROOMS WITH BOILED QUAIL EGG

RICE PILAF BABY CARROTS TYPE OF HUMMUS? VERY FLAVORFUL

MINT TEA WITH AN ISRAELI DESERT OF PISTACHIO, ROSE WATER AND FERMENTED MILK

I APOLOGIZE FOR BAD DESCRIPTIONS , MIXED UP NAMES, AND BLAME IT ALL ON MY PROFOUND HEARING LOSS.

     Friday I joined Richard, and Mel for our Dominoes game at the library.  I WON!  Finally.  I stopped at the market on the way home and picked up some lentils and bananas.  That afternoon I took a taxi to Tomas Inn on the other side of town.  It was recommended for the Shrimp Cocktail and Happy Hour on the roof.  I got there late and it was packed with Mexicans enjoying the Cantina atmosphere with two bands.  One downstairs and the other on the roof where I wanted to sit but there was no seats left.  The manager explained the music starts at 4 and if you want the Mariachi Band it is 100 pesos for 3 songs...the band downstairs just plays on a stage and you tip them.

I retired early and hope the landlord puts up a shelve for me tomorrow and my desk is being delivered.