Oaxaca is starting off the new year with a huge influx of tourists and many are looking for a new home away from home, even if it's just for the winter months. I am fortunate to have gone through that and found a place I am happy with. Now with my Permanent Resident status I can finish downsizing and finalize the move.
Good news is the rent check was in the bank from my tenants and they seem to be very nice people with and interest in returning to Scottsdale. Who knows what the future may bring.
Today Carol and I met with Marc and his wife, Judi from Cape Cod. We had dinner at Oaxacaliforina. Judi and I had the Catch of the Day, Carol enjoyed her Ceviche and Marc feasted on Barbacoa. Judi and I got our leftover takeaway mixed up and I got home with more Catch of the Day while she got stuck with more Potatoes. My Bad! They are regulars winter visitors in Oaxaca and friends I look forward to seeing again.
A laid back day with little to do. Nice for a change. I met Carol at the library and we walked to El Sabor for a lovely lunch.
Watermelon Art came next:
Amazing they sleep so soundly on rock and cement.Another do nothing day...my favorite kind. I'll read then visit the Zocalo and read some more. Shop for those fantastic Tangerines on the way home.
Another loss at Dominoes and Carol's Third Win! Three for Three! Marc joined us and got right into the game. Carol and I stopped at a new restaurant called Guaxaco, a art gallery with a small, nice dining room in the back.
Had to take a photo of the Singing Man and his Walker. He belts out Spanish ballads while leisurely hobbling along with his walker...great attitude.
Carol and I had breakfast at Cambuche this morning...then later had dinner at the Jazz club , "Curtidores" in the Barrio with a packed house.
We had an excellent breakfast at AM PM 
Helen arrived today from Rochester , N.Y., then joined us for dinner at Zundunga for dinner.
Forgot to photo the food...First is a gallery photo...second is the view from the Men's room urinal.
Helen arrived today from Rochester , N.Y., then joined us for dinner at Zundunga for dinner.
The following day John and Carla arrived from Buffalo via Florida (where they left their Motor Home) and now are enjoying Oaxaca. Very well traveled people. I grew up with John though he went to a different school and mostly spent his summers in Attica. We have known each other a long time. He came to Phoenix around 1979-80 with his wife Carla. He helped me open my first Seafood Restaurant and Fish Market in Glendale, Az before later moving back to Attica. We met them at the Hotel and walked them to the restaurant where we shared a nice dinner together. NO PHOTOS . MY BAD again!
Dominoes Day came around again and Marc joined us again while Carol proceeded to garner her 4th win...she is now the undefeated champ. Judi, Marc's wife showed up after so we all ventured out to a new Lebanese/Mexican Restaurant that we all enjoyed.
MEXICAN DISH WITH OAXACA CHEESE AND CHORIZO
Marc had a Sharma. It was a nice lunch and visit.
The next day was laid back with dinner at Danzante, a real top of the line restaurant that was going to be a treat for us all....until we discovered it was booked for a private party. As we were debating where to go, a huge wind came up that was really unusual and then it was calm and a huge Rainbow appeared as if it was a message from Mother Earth saying thank you. I will protect Oaxaca from Climate Violence because Oaxaca is such a special place! 
CAROL AND CARLA
JOHN AND CARLA
We decided on a favorite, Tres Bistro Restaurant. Our starter was 18 Fresh Baja Oysters. We all had the Fresh Salmon and more wine than we probably should have. 
Carol left today with Norma for a 10 day tour along the Western border of Oaxaca on the Pacific Ocean. Lynn and Kurt arrives from California today. Helen and I are going to dinner at TastaVin and Pasta with John and Carla joining us. I will take photos!!!
I relaxed the last 3 days with one day out when the cleaning lady arrived . Spent the day shopping and a nice lunch at the Zocalo. 
Hung my new curtains.
I think this is a dog?
Hung my new curtains.
Wednesday I was to meet Kurt at Liverpool Billiards for a game of pool with the gang. After the first game Allen, who was playing with Richard suggested we switch, and Kurt played while Allen and I played a game. John and Carla showed up to watch us play then later John joined in.
We left around 1 pm to have lunch at Terranova where Helen joined Kurt and Lynn, John and Carla and me. We all had the Comida special for $5.75. Great Spinach Soup, Lemonade, Dessert and Coffee included with a choice of Beef Fajitas or Chicken Chipolata. Wonderful day. 
Last night Helen and I joined John and Carla to celebrate their 54th Wedding Anniversary. John and Carla invited a two brothers that they met at the Library Saturday Intercambio exchange of Spanish and English, Jose and Juan, who came in from San Sebastian Etla and brought a gift for each of the happy couple. We all had a great meal and a wonderful time. Helen had not been feeling well so skipped the Library lecture where we were to meet and came directly to the Catedral Restaurant where the gathering was held. She left after her appetizer and went home to rest.
Today they came over to my apartment this morning to see where I lived and visit a bit. Lynn and Kurt are meeting them at the Zocalo for Shrimp Cocktails and Wine at 6 pm so I will join them.
Meanwhile Carol is enjoying her excursion to Puerto Escondido and a tour of the people who have been involved in textiles all their lives.
I went to Tasty Vin Y Tapas for the Lasagna Special and Wine today.
Very good.
Helen and I joined John and Carla to see Kurt and Lynn's new apartment and roof top access with a fantastic view of Oaxaca.
Returning home that evening we took some photos in the neighborhood and stopped at Fandango for Chicken Wings and Dancing.
John and Carla left early on Monday while Carol was returning from her tour, on her small plane flight ...so she took a "selfie" from the plane.
We celebrated that night with dinner at Danzante's Restaurant where I had the BEST service I have ever had in Mexico. Outstanding! The food was good too.
The next morning was Breakfast at Boulenc Bakery. Always a pleasure.
Dominoes Day was a chance to unseat Carol from her winning streak but to no avail! She is now 5 time Champion Mexican Dominoes player. Marc and I think she is cheating but haven't figured out how? We all went out for lunch to celebrate with Judi and David Brown and his wife joining us at Las Rambla.
That evening I suggested some Street food. Now and then I love a hamburg and no better place then on the street in Oaxaca.
Had to stop at Praha for some music and a night cap.
Next morning a home breakfast then off to drop the laundry.
Then a bus to Walmart shopping and a taxi back when we notice a mile long line for vaccination. We thought we saw the end of it but it looped around and down another street for another mile.
Young, old, families, all waiting the night before with chairs, blankets and sleeping on the ground or sidewalk.
Cheri Lee, my neighbor, and I left for home. Where my daughter had sent some photos of my great grandchildren, Zariah and Meila all dressed as Princesses to see a Disney show in the auditorium. I think Grandmother was enjoying the outing most.Saturday Helen,Lynn, Cheri Lee, Ata, Halina, Barbara, Carol and I had tickets to see the Opera broadcast from the MET in NYC. We arrived and took our seats. Carol and I got seats in the balcony because we were late to get tickets. Balcony being the 4 th floor...one more to the fifth and we could practically touch the ceiling. I was getting a little vertigo sitting next to the 2 and 1/2 foot rail looking down into the audience where the "girls" were.
The show started but then had reception difficulties because of the blizzard storm in NYC and had to shut down. We got our money back and left for upstairs in Terranova for early dinner.
This was the first time I had to fill my prescriptions in Mexico.
My Blood Pressure was up and I emailed my Doctor. She upped my dosage but could only send the script , not the meds, so I went to my Oaxacan Doctor who explained that NONE of my Meds required a script in Mexico. They were all over the counter. I just had to pay for them. $100 to fill 4 Medications for 90 days. Not bad.
Adios Amigos January is over and so is this long post...sorry.
