VALENTINES DAY OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

On my way home after a lovely Valentine's Love and Friendship Day dinner at Tres Bistro, a huge parade was working its way through the streets of Oaxaca.  I noticed a gathering at the Santa Domingo. The parade that started earlier was still circling Oaxaca and returning to this spot to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

           HEARTS ON THE TABLES BUT NOT FOR HIM

NOTICE THEIR FEET SELDOM ARE ON THE GROUND..THE PLUME DANCERS COMMITMENT IS FOR 3 YEARS.  

Kurt and Lynn showed up...then David and Mela arrived just after we met Danah and her partner Sarah, both from Toronto.  They introduced us to an English speaking Bogota Colombian couple also visiting Oaxaca.  Sarah made a beer run and we all watched as the evening grew darker and the fireworks began.

                     

                      Couple from Bogota, Columbia

 

                                                        Wild Man Kurt

                         

                         Danah from Toronto

 

                                             Lovely Lynn.. 

Humanitarian Aide.....Sarah went on a Beer Run for us!

 

The following day I had a Comida (3 course Special) at Terranova in the Zocalo.  I had the Fresh Breast of Chicken served with Amarillo Mole, Onions and Pepper.  Accompanied with Rice and a Lime Cheesecake for dessert with coffee.

The following evening I walked down to the Zocalo with Maria, a temporary new neighbor from Oregon, to see the Danzon.  Kurt and Lynn were supposed to be there but said it wasn't there kind of music...mine neither.  I took the bus home after Beef Tongue Tacos at a bar near the bus stop.

Dominos Day once again. 

I walked to meet Marc and Judi at the library where we were joined by Sylvia, a long time player from Aspen Colorado. She knew Mike Gassman my neighbor, growing up in Attica.  He was on the Aspen Council at one time. Helen met us afterwards and a couple of Marc and Judi's friends from Connecticut joined us for lunch at Berlina.

                                         GOULASH AND SPAETZLE 

THURINGER SAUSAGE, RED CABBAGE, BOILED POTATO AU GRATIN, GERMAN BROWN BREAD WITH OAXACAN IPA

NOT SURE OF THE SAUSAGE BUT I LIKE THE MASHED POTATO WITH SAUERKRAUT.

Interesting Sunrise the following morning.  I left to shoot some pool while my maid, Juana, cleaned house.  I returned to pay the rent but the property manager didn't show or call.  Marc came by to help me hook up my VPN Router to my whole WiFi system.  I then went to Senor Naan's at 1013 Bolanos Cacho in Xochimilco for Chicken Tandoori. 

 

 NICE FLAVOR BUT A BIT DRY...I TOOK CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA HOME FOR DINNER.  THAT WAS VERY GOOD.

                                        ME SHADOW

     Photos were before the maid cleaned the house.  

     I heard music and discovered a parade was preparing to start.  I took photos while they were waiting. It was Carnaval time in Oaxaca.  Throughout Mexico different states, cities, villages, celebrate Carnaval at different times.  The Spanish introduced it when they moved in but in 1679 they started banning cross dressing and mock executions of authority figures.  In 1780 it was banned.

     These events show their colonial roots with a focus on groups of dancers organized into comparsas, who are dressed in colorful costumes. Costume styles vary with names like charros and chinelos, but all are ornate and almost all use masks that imitate upper-class Spanish or other Europeans from Mexican history.

     

  A quote and a video from Shannon Shepard's wonderful blog...View from Casita Colibri.  Carnaval Characters  Día de Carnaval (aka, Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnival, day before the beginning of Lent) is coming in two days and, in order to promote the varying celebrations in the state of Oaxaca, the Secretaría de Fomento Turístico (Secretariat of the Promotion of Tourism) invited delegations from various villages in the state to showcase their unique traditions in a grand parade down the city’s walking street, Macedonio Alcalá. The costumes and body paint were outstanding, but it was the masks and faces that spoke to me.

                             A TWO FISTED MEZCAL DRINKER

 The parade was held up by a Wedding that took precedence and was coming the other direction...into them...as soon as they turned off a side street...the parade was on its way...to the relief of the spectators.

              OK...get on with it!!!   I returned to Tasty Vin for the evening special.   Fresh Tuna Steak but ate half before I remembered!

Take a photo David!

Great Special. $15 meal, 2 glasses of wine, and tip.

Sunday afternoon concert as a fundraiser for the Learning Center was at 4 pm.  I left early to see an Art exhibit at the "Stamp Museum". I couldn't find the Art but took a few photos...it is a lovely place and they change exhibits now and then.  

VW Bug was manufactured in Mexico and is still being used as Taxi's in some villages.  Many owner's restore them...my landlord has a beauty.  This was a VW with covered with stamps including the wheels.

The Stamp vaults that are open to the public. All categorized and slide out then open up to views...Lot's of themes , historical, worldwide, ....a collector's paradise.

CHESS SET

I did some shopping then paid my entrance donation to the concert but when I discovered the included food was cookies, and bread items that were not available until after the concert I finished my Wine and left to get something in my stomach. Del Jardin was downstairs so I had a Chicken dinner and returned home.

This Musical family tour the world.  I didn't stay to hear them but they are really good Classical Musicians that I have heard at previous concerts.

    I left but my love didn't...or something like that...hmmmm.

I made some Chicken Vegetable Soup today...needs some tomatoes.

Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) is celebrated in the Village of San Martin differently and goes back to the Spanish occupation.Mexico News Daily Interesting article and photos.

Monday I returned to Tasty Vin hoping some of that Fresh Tuna was still on Special...it wasn't so I had the Salmon again.  A lady next to me was having the same.  She was a writer from LA that comes off and on year round. We were talking while a couple nearby were listening then introduced themselves.  They have been living in Lake Chapala near Guadalajara Mexico for 17 years but were considering a move to Oaxaca.  A decision a lot of expats are making.  I passed out my cards for my blog and he asked if he could hire me to show him Oaxaca for a couple of days but I declined. Too busy. When the lady mentioned she might consider a year round place, I referred her to Deke, the manager of my old Fiallo complex.

     A bicycle group were off on their night ride of Oaxaca as I was leaving.   Passing through the Zocalo, I encounters a wonderful Latin band singing and playing to a small audience. Very good. 

                              

                                    LATIN BAND MUSIC

                                    OUT FOR SHOPPING 

TENTS ARE BACK - UNIONS EXTORTING MORE MONEY

THOSE AREN'T PHOTOS-A GOOD ARTIST RENDITION ON THE BUILDING

      I weighed in at 168 ...down from 208 last year.  That was my goal...now I can eat more! 

     Omar, the owner of the property greeted me yesterday with his phone and a video clip of a man and his dog having fun.  I have not formally met Omar but  I sent a nasty letter to the property manager about the dogs barking and owners not taking care of them.     

    The property manager arrived to get the rent. I mentioned my encounter with Omar and said..."You talked to Omar about my issues" He said NO.  I already told him I deducted 1000 pesos that I gave to my guest when his pants were torn by one of the dogs running loose. He counted it and asked for the 1000 and again I said no...then he said 500...50/50...and I stupidly agreed when none of it was my fault. Then I realized he did talk to Omar! Not to be trusted. So I then asked him to replace the crappy bathroom light he installed...he agreed.  I was happy and he probably pocketed the 500 extra Pesos he just received.

       Helen is visiting and we are doing lunch shortly. Porchia, the lady I met at Tasty Vin, contacted Deke my old property manager about my apartment. She might take it year round like I did.  Good deal.  She is writing a novel now and remarked to me that my blog was great and I write very naturally. So I am happy.

       Helen and I went to the Seafood place I love nearby. I had some Oysters then Salmon Ceviche Tostada while Helen enjoyed the Salmon and Pasta dish.

Today, I received an email with the flight Itinerary of 2 guests coming in Oct for the Day of the Dead.  I'm all excited and its over 9 months away! But they were unable to book the place they wanted. It is booked in October/November years in advance.

 I left to

 play Dominoes with a couple from Oregon that come annually for the seas

on.  They stay 10 minutes away. I realized this place would be great for my friends in October. I meet with the owner in a couple of days to try and book it for them.

Later I dropped off a Yoga mat to Helen at her place and we went to Quinque for lunch with a small band to play for us.

VIEW FROM HELEN'S BALCONY

TUNA STEAK TOPPED WITH HERBS AND VEGETABLES

DELICIOUS FRESH CHICKEN BREAST, VEGGIES, AND RICE

We passed through the Zocalo on our return.  Another band was getting ready to play but we didn't stay.  The 5 minute wait turned into 15..so we left to finish our day.

Today I attended a lecture at the library that I thought would be interesting...history of Mexican Muralism...some was but the lecturer used a LOT of umms and aah...in every sentence.  The Boutique Hotel next door was running a 2x1 drink promotion on their beautiful rooftop. 

This is not the lecturer but library intro.

I returned home to find a homeless sleeper and a new entertainer at the intersection.

Hungry, I went back out to Casa Celia for a Pork Dish with Vegetables and Figs that was excellent.  I told the waiter I was now on a special diet and no wheat...pastry, pies, etc...he suggested their Gluten Free Cheese Cake that I enjoyed a LOT.

The Sunrise greeted me this morning.  Later I left to have a drink with Kurt, Lynne, and Helen at Distilrado. My drink was a gin concoction that was wonderful but I had one and left for home, to discover another new entertainer at the intersection...got some pictures from the Zocalo. 

 

       NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS....I DON'T THINK SO

SHE WAS SELLING TO SUPPORT HERSELF...NOT SHOPPING

    FACE LIFT FOR OAXACA GOING ON EVERYWHERE

                                    SHERIFF PATROL

                         SURPRISE...ANOTHER WEDDING 

                                      KURT AND LYNNE'S DRINK

                                       MY GIN DRINK

                         I NEVER SAW SO MANY MODELS 

           LOVE THESE ENTERTAINERS...THEY WORK HARD

A walk about today and I met with Hector for Meatloaf lunch at La Jicara on Porfirio Diaz not far from my casa.

A visit to the Zocalo today was a surprise.  I counted 60 police pickup trucks parked on three sides of Zocalo with Police presence everywhere going in and out with Federal patrols on the streets.  I found out the "Tenters" that were moved out of the Zocalo to a side street with planning to return....I don't think so.

Waiting at the bus stop to return home I noticed a Dad and his two sons setting up a stand to sell something.  The Dad put up the umbrella then left while the two brothers helped set up the table.

That's it for February. Whew...not my best month.  Very stressful but I got a lot done that was needed and feel better and look forward to March and returning home to see my family and friends in April!