Today was a red letter day! The repairman fixed the washer/dryer. Telmex called and set up an appointment for 9:30 am tomorrow to set up my fiber optic internet connection. I left to have dinner at Chepiche.
I took a photo of this before but today I noticed these people are returned from the dead to celebrate life with disguises on. They are skeletons.
I turned to the street then I noticed a few new murals on the street I was on, so continued to take some photos. I noticed a small Seafood Restaurant and immediately sat myself at one of about 7 tables holding 22 people. Very small with one cook and one waitress. There were about 6 customers. I started looking at the menu and was amazed. Almost all seafood! Very extensive and promoted only fresh seafood! Cooking seafood requires ATTENTION so if one person orders Pasta Alfredo with Salmon, another three tacos...fish, shrimp and octopus, then another Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi, one cook is going to be busy! Then you have 3-6 new customers ordering...well you get the point. I had a beer and waited almost 20-30 minutes for 3 Shrimp Empanadas. 
Worth the wait. The food I saw going to other tables and the customers excitement convinced me to order another dish. I took the Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi along with another beer. No Wine here. It was delicious. I returned home .
Worth the wait. The food I saw going to other tables and the customers excitement convinced me to order another dish. I took the Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi along with another beer. No Wine here. It was delicious. I returned home .
When I arrived my two dog enemies were waiting...I reached for the two doggie bones a hid inside the entrance door. One had been discovered and devoured. I gave to other to one of the barking dog and he wandered off happily. The other was the bad one and kept barking and trying to bite me until I finally got inside my gate. I got two more snacks and brought them out to throw at the mean one. He happily shut up too. Problem solved?
This morning the sunrise was spectacular!
At nine o'clock Alejandro called and was at the gate to install my fiber optic internet connection. He had to talk to one of the workers that helped Sabino about running wires across the roof to my building's roof. I thought it wasn't right but it was the only way they could do it. Now Omar, the owner who's dogs try and bite me, may not approve but he just left. The Telmex supervisor was called in to confirm the plan. Three and a half hours later, Alejandro is now putting the connection together in my "office".
then the line I had been using for free. Computer glitch will be resolved tomorrow! Back to reading myself to sleep.
10 am the knock on the door and Alejandro returns as promised to reset the router and deliver as promised...YES! Now after a whole day lost I have a lot to do today.
I walked to Tasty Vin and had the Grilled Salmon and Salad special.
I passed a home that had a Bougainvillea? plant growing in front of their window!
I walked to Boulanc Bakery this morning past a sleeping homeless person, the Cathedral, Elena selling her fruit, sidewalk being replaced, then ordered Lemon-Kvass, Americano cafe, and Shaksura(Eggs poached in a Tomato Red Pepper sauce with Turkish cheese and sliced baguette)
Sorry..I was hungry and it is so good....
Elena awakes early, walks to the big market, returns with the fruit and vegetables, cuts and packages it in plastic containers, carries it in her baskets on a hand cart with her stool, to the same corner every morning for over 6 years plus. She makes just enough to pay the rent on the one room she has been living in and food for herself.
After breakfast I walked by the butcher shop with it's long line EVERY day (they must have cheapest $), past the La Noria Cultural Center, then on to my old neighborhood to get a haircut.
Every morning the lines go around the corner.
Safe house for those that need it.
My alley way has a new mural. I wonder why those steps were built unless there were homes before the alley or for the artist to paint?
The local market has competing stalls or Fonda's where breakfasts are varied, inexpensive, and good. Restocking some avocados and tangerines, I opted for Huevos Rancheros. Eggs on a Tortilla in a fresh tomato base salsa with avocados and refried beans.
A beautiful morning.
Near 4 pm I walked over to Casa Celia for their Sunday Paella Special.
Monday morning pool hall with Kurt waiting to practice some shots and for me to return his drill I borrowed again. The walk took me down along side of the aqueduct where the dog walkers and bikers were sharing.
Six players showed up so we got 3 tables and played for 2 hours. Kurt joined me for lunch at Boulanc Bakery where we each had a Pizza.
We parted and I returned to find a bed outside on my balcony. At last the bed that Sabino,the handyman, constructed for my spare bedroom. It had 4 drawers under, was full size and matched the room...YEAH! I fussed around making the bed and straighting up the room. Lots of stuff I am donating to the library is taking up space.
Today I visited La Jicara, a nice laid back, eclectic restaurant that opened around 5 years ago. It is just down the street from where I live. I went a few times when they opened but coming from my place in La Noria was all uphill so I stopped going. It is in an open courtyard with a library as part of the building. The menu is varied and they feature different specials daily. I had the Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes and Red Cabbage with Orgasmic Chocolate Pie with Fresh Strawberry sauce.
The Meatloaf was dry, Mashed were lukewarm, Cabbage was excellent, the Chocolate Pie was aptly described...awesome. We had some strolling Minstrels that tried hard for their age and their arthritis...two songs and they were on their way to the next place. I will return.
Monday morning pool hall with Kurt waiting to practice some shots and for me to return his drill I borrowed again. The walk took me down along side of the aqueduct where the dog walkers and bikers were sharing.
We parted and I returned to find a bed outside on my balcony. At last the bed that Sabino,the handyman, constructed for my spare bedroom. It had 4 drawers under, was full size and matched the room...YEAH! I fussed around making the bed and straighting up the room. Lots of stuff I am donating to the library is taking up space.
He does excellent wood work. Nice solid bed on wheels with storage drawers. I planned on meeting Hector to have a belated Birthday celebration for him. It was close to 6 pm so I left to return to the Zocalo and Tres Bistro for our dinner. I passed some budding artists, an Aussie with his didgeridoo and was welcomed by a band when I arrived.
Croquettes with Prosciutto and some Ceviche to share with our wine
Hector had the Grilled Salmon with Roasted Veggies and I tried something different. A baby pig slaughtered before it suckled teats. That was kind of the raw description...It was tender and good?
He will help me set up my account to pay for the internet I now had. We will meet for lunch on Saturday and hopefully cross that off my list of things to do.
The Meatloaf was dry, Mashed were lukewarm, Cabbage was excellent, the Chocolate Pie was aptly described...awesome. We had some strolling Minstrels that tried hard for their age and their arthritis...two songs and they were on their way to the next place. I will return.
Another great day! I spent most cleaning the corners, windows, and shower where the previous cleaner missed. Late in the afternoon I decided to return to La Jicara and try again. Much better.
MY VIEW
DELICIOUS COCONUT CURRIED CHICKEN WITH PECANS, RICE AND TOMATOES WITH OLIVES AND RED PEPPERS...VERY GOOD. THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WAS A BIT HEAVY BUT FRESH BERRIES WENT WELL WITH IT.
I visited an Indian Restaurant called Senor Naan's in the Xochimilco area North of me...close to Chepiche. I ordered Afghani Chicken and a Herbal Latti. The dish was good so I ordered Samosas and a Vegetable Korma to take home and try later. Very small place across from a church.
CHRISTMAS TREE LEFT IN THE FOUNTAIN
THREE TABLES 11 SEATS "SENIOR NANN"
HAND PAINTED TABLES
AFGANI CHICKEN AND GARLIC NAAN
CEMETERY OVER THE WALL....MY VIEW...NOTE THE SIGNS OVER THE DOOR. ENTER? THE CEMETERY?
CEMETERY PHOTOS THROUGH BARS.....GATE LOCKED
It's Saturday and I meet Hector at Sanchez Market Bus Stop at 2 pm for lunch and to see my casa. While waiting by the Tree in front I took some photos.
He was going to help me pay my Telmex internet bill then help me set up an autopay system online...but I did it myself yesterday. They told me NO AUTO PAY which meant a big inconvenience and a lack of common sense...but there are things in Mexico we think we know about and disagree with, when in fact we know nothing about it. I still disagree but I also know Mexico is a CASH country...yes they have Credit/Debit cards...but try and pay your rent with it. Tax avoidance exists in every country.
He arrived. We decided to, see my place, have lunch at Fresh Comida del la Mar, then dessert at La Jicara next to the bus stop where he returns home from.
We stopped at a Gallery opening where he ran into a fellow teacher at the University Hector teaches at. When we were getting closer, we passed another new breakfast/lunch place, then a bakery next door. We arrived while the owner was finishing his lunch and the place was empty! Perfect.
SHRIMP COSTALITOS
CEVICHE EL DE TELCEL (Chef is whimsical)
I ate the Oysters...7 irregular sizes (cheaper when bought that way)
2 small, 3 medium,2 large...all good and for $4.50...I am happy and returning for a dozen. We sampled each others. The Shrimp Costalitos were awesome as was his Ceviche. My Oysters were pre opened but not long before we arrived and were delicious. I enjoyed the Ceviche Telcel but too much Limon juice ...I can't wait to try the Pepito Ceviche that Hector had.
We walked to La Jicara and enjoyed coffee and Guaya Pie and Ricotta Pie while talking up a storm. It was a great conversation about things people used to talk about...life, travel, friends, stories, family and food. We took time to browse the gift shop and library there. They have a great Bookstore for children! It is awesome and Oaxaca oriented. I bought an Avocado at the small Miscellaneous store there. He walked back to where his bus stop to Santa Rosa was.
I love Sunday Morning...the CBS show and the morning to kick back and fix a nice breakfast. Today was fresh spinach, pickled Red Onions, with shrimp. I steamed it and left it while enjoying coffee and the CBS show. After I was going to scramble some eggs and add the mix then relax and enjoy. I went to the stove and notice the mix was moving. Covered with tiny, tiny ants that came out of the stove after the mix cooled and were feasting on my breakfast. It all went in the trash and I had toast. Last week I watched The Sheltered Sky with John Malkovich and Debbie Winger, about 3 NYC people leaving for a trip to North Africa in the Roaring 20's. When asked the difference between a tourist and a traveler, Malkovich replied, "When the tourist arrives he thinks of the return, the traveler may never return!"
I am going to go out and treat myself to breakfast on a beautiful Sunday afternoon now. A good "selfie" first.
Stopped at the Oaxacan Gastronomic Center for a Tamale...others were touring...lots of tours on Sunday.
Not bad but my Cubana Sandwich at Del Jardin was Breakfast
Lunch with Kurt made up for it. Nice Prosciutto and Salami sandwich while he had the Salami Pizza....again.
Today was the LAST day of the month. The sun peeked over the mountains then burst into the sky.
End of the month and it's Monday. Off for the pool hall with a stop at the restaurant supply to find one pot and one pan to replace the crap I was left with at the rental. $84 for a really crappy China product. Some thing are expensive and poor quality but you live with it.
My Pool game wasn't much better. Lost everyone even though I was
down to one ball in a few games.
My Nemesis Fin from Iceland talking to Kurt from California...beat us both.
Doug from California and Domingo..both out of my league..though I did win a few games against them...a week or so ago.
My day was spent on the terrace, sipping coffee, listening to music and reading...before I realized it was 2 pm and I hadn't had breakfast or showered. I was out the door at 3 and ended up at Vin and Vinal for a nice Comida of Meatballs and Salad with Wine. Grapes with Goat cheese and Almonds for dessert.
Returning through Llano park I watched the children learning to skate and some accomplished skaters practicing jumping the bar.
One crashed and two others laid down with them in a show of comradery . Another group was jogging around the park while others walking it. Fun Tuesday....what are you children doing?
Last post for January! Enjoy. SuperBowl coming up.
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