I visited the opening day of the Gastronomic Event and did some exploring. Performers in the different events stroll through Oaxaca on the way to their specific scheduled show. There is a Guelaguetza Outdoor Open theater on top of the Mountain overlooking Oaxaca where daily performances feature a different Puebla,with their dance, dress, and music. These are broadcast on Cable in some of the local bars. The one in Casa Barro for sure.
The Oaxaca Orchestra playing.
Alters are everywhere in Mexico...mostly in the country and mostly personal but for anyone to pray.
Sunset
Sunrise
I had breakfast as Casa Hidalgo again...Chicken Enchiladas were outstanding. Then I walked over to the Zocalo for a Coffee and an OK Flan. A protest march against the inhuman treatment of animals paraded by with my friend Hector holding a Sign.
OK Flan
GO HECTOR!
This evening, Gaby and I tried out a new restaurant across from the Santa Domingo Church, that was recommended by Lee my neighbor. I had the Whole Fish and Gaby had Oriental Chicken Dumplings.
Fantastic Combination of Sweet Potato, Ginger,Coconut, etc,etc.... It was good.
We walked to Llano Park to catch the beginning of the Opening Guelaguetza Parade where people had been waiting over an hour and it looked like another hour...so we returned home.
This morning Gaby and I took the bus to Casa Hidalgo and both had Eggs Benedict, then walked through the Zocalo and home.
Petite Gaby with friend
Stage for Casa Hildago's Guelaguetza evening Show.
Great Eggs Benedict!
Protests by indigenous people for their rights
One of the oldest churches that had been repaired numerous times due to Earthquakes. I've experienced about 6 small ones since coming to Oaxaca.
Not everyone loves Gringos
Mother and Son helping. I see this a LOT in Mexico!
Children watching the Children's Orchestra...note his T-Shirt. Many children start early with an instrument. In one Pueblo, everyone plays an instrument.
The Gastronomic Feast was in full swing when I visited for Taco's Barbacoa today. Later I stopped at Casa Barro for a Wine and to watch the Guelaguetza live performance taking place on the Mountain above me and broadcast on TV.
My 3 Tacos on the Grill
Got camera all greasy after adding my "stuff" to Tacos
Too Late for the Roast Pig!
Friendly Bartender bought me a Mezcal
Dancing with a Goat and a Chicken?
I took off this afternoon for Biznaga, for the Best Mole on Chicken with Rice that I have had since I arrived in Oaxaca. Outstanding.
A friend, Jane, was also finishing lunch with friends.
Grounds of Spanish School for Gringos.
Tuesday, Porchia, a woman from Los Angeles who rented my old apartment on Fiallo, took me out to lunch as a thank-you. Cheri, her neighbor and my friend,had a Father's Day card that my daughter in Buffalo had sent me 40 days earlier by airmail. The card had just arrived at my old address. I took Cheri over to meet Porchia, and then we left for lunch at Terranova in the Zocalo.
On the way, I saw my old friend from the neighborhood,who was still struggling to walk across the street. I had started giving him money for food every now and then a long time ago. His foot was black, and he had a similar circulation problem to mine but his was much worse. Mine had healed considerably since I started walking daily after moving to Oaxaca permanently. I gave him 100 pesos ($5) for lunch.
He stops traffic but doesn't give up trying!!
Portia had a salad and I the Comida of the day, Chicken and Rice. We both enjoyed catching up since last we met. She had my place completely painted before she moved it and it looked great.
I had not been to Humar, a nice Mom and Pop place started by Chef Arnud and his wife Salma, over 4-5 years ago. This is there 3rd location and there last for now. I said hello to both, had a Shrimp Cocktail and two fish Taco's and left. Very good as usual.
One of the famous Churches was the location of more Guelaguetza food from the state of Oaxaca and was packed. When I got home, a band was parading with others for evening celebrations in the Centro part of Oaxaca...got my camera but missed the band. Those wooden contraptions being carried are fireworks that that the person dances with while they go off in the parade.
Friday is my day to stock up on Tamales from the Queen of the Tamales. I visited a Photo Exhibit of the people of Oaxaca in their different Puebla with the Custom dress, ceremonial costumes, Masks, musical instruments, and dances of their Puebla and on location. Remember, Oaxaca is one of the 3 largest states of 31 and one of the poorest of them all. Notice they are wearing sandals or barefoot.
Hand Carved then painted...always original creations.
There were 3 mores stages for this evenings entertainment. Long day but the Tamale was still HOT
when I arrived home for a wonderful meal.
This morning I had Huevos Rancharos at the local market and did my organic fruit and vegetable shopping.
My cook preparing my breakfast in her Cocina.
Delicious Rancharos....with Green Health drink.
Our Passion Fruits are Blossoming but only once in the morning and die right after...the Bees flock to them when they open and offer their Pollen...lots of it.
It was around 6 pm on Saturday when I set out for dinner. I went to Campeche, a nice garden restaurant just North of me, but they were closed?! So I headed for Biznaga and when I came out on the street I realized what was going on...everybody was at the final Parade. The streets were all blocked off so I got a seat at the door to Biznaga where the parade would pass.
I ordered the Mahi Fish Filet with Risotto and Blue Cheese. I came covered in Onions and Fresh Mushroom...so the photo missed the beautiful Mahi that was cooked to perfection.
After dinner, I climbed the wall and took some photos and videos before returning home.
This Sunday Morning I watched Sunday Morning on CBS while enjoying my coffee. Gaby arrived for breakfast at Cochaia Market for Vegetable Omelets with Green Juice.
Lee, who lives below me in the same building, was leaving for dinner the same time I was picking up Gaby to dine at Vin and Vinal....Food was great. Fettuccine Bolongese Salad and a Hamburger for Gaby.
Passion Fruit and Blossoms
What is she thinking??
Selfie in the Rain
Dinner at Casa Hidalgo. Sea Bass, Roasted Vegetables and Rice with Squid Ink...Gaby had 3 Stuffed Peppers...Oaxacan Cheese, Chicken, and Spicy Mushrooms with same sides. We shared Sweet Potato Churros with Ice Cream. Nice meals.
The final bill $52 included a glass of Wine and lemonade.
Zoey, my good and old friend, was promised a visit to my patio...2 months ago, so I invited her to join Gaby and I at Kintaro Japanese Restaurant and visit after. We had a nice meal and conversation, then Zoe drove us back to Casa Javier where we sat on the terrace and watched the world go by.
Marie Antoinette's French Pastry Shop in Oaxaca?
Finally...fried Rice with marinated pork, Salmon Roll, , Ramen and Teriyaki Fish
A great day....
Gaby sent me a recommended restaurant that just opened in our neighborhood so I thought the menu interesting enough that I had breakfast there today.
Cappuccino, from a push button machine...like water.
Bulgarian Kefir with fruit...good but Kefir has consistency of skim milk.
Poached Eggs Serrano ....Poached were hard boiled and should have been on top of the Serrano Ham, which was great. The dish needed a cook.
The place, is nicely done but could use a barista and some help in the kitchen.
The end of July and I am off to a gallery and Tasty Vin for Salmon and Wine. Then a quiet, relaxed, break at the Zocalo before ended my Post for this Month. The last of Guelaguetza entertainment this afternoon and this evening.
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