This month I return to Attica N.Y. for my 60th High School Reunion with a stop on the return in Scottsdale Arizona for my Doctor Appointments. I depart in 2 weeks so I got a Mexican haircut.
All barbers have Marilyn Monroe photos up.....
Wabi-Sabi...Scar was Brain Aneurysm in 1987...2 weeks intensive care, two weeks in ward, then 3 weeks to Europe with family, dog died, Mom's partner died, 2 weeks later separated from my wife after 15 years, later divorced. Not the best time!
Always wanted to see what my bald head looked like..ugly!
Good Morning September in Oaxaca
Good evening the same Day
I went out for breakfast at MOOK and walked in on Ian and his wife Ali who had just ordered. Ian is the one that introduced me to this place last month so it was only fitted we all enjoyed another breakfast there. I can't tell you what I had but it was very good...some vegetables with Oaxacan Mole.
Breakfast Dessert! That's a new one on me...very nice: fruit, bacon, sourdough toast, etc
That evening I had Salmon and Salad at Vin and Vinyl
Lovely overcast evening...
Next evening...a Salad at Boulanc Bakery..
Dominos Day: Maddie showed up and trounced me 12 out of 13 games before we left for lunch at Aquacate. She had the Beet Hummus Tortilla and I had White Bean Tortilla and an Ice Cream after.
We agreed, our dining out needed to be curtailed a bit and mixed with Cultural activities. Right now is rainy season and there is a night life with jazz, blues, concerts, etc. I have been remiss so will try to expand the variety and limit the dining except for outstanding cuisine be it street food or gourmet.
Our complex lost one of it's nicest dogs this last week. Lee's beautiful Maggie passed away. Lee had been in hibernation with Covid and so most of us were unaware of his loss except for his daughter. He was saddened, as anyone that has had a close pet for well over 10 years. I had no idea except I noticed Maggie didn't greet me as usual, but then Lee had the apartment closed off while he was recuperating from Covid. We made arrangements for dinner the next day over the internet.
I stopped to get him and gave him my condolences. He was grateful but was not ready to talk about it so we heading for Tio Guero for "Chili Nogala", a patriotic dish made in honor of Mexican Independence with a Green Chile stuffed with a choice of Vegetarian, Chicken or Pork. The stuffing was chopped and mixed with nuts, spices and fruit that was delicious. The Chile Roasted then topped with a Walnut (white) sauce and Pomegranate (red) seeds.
I had the salad with mine and Lee opted for Rice with his. RED WHITE and GREEN...the colors of the Mexican Flag
During this last week, a small but not great Pastry Shop was replaced by a Sushi Restaurant that we really wanted, so I went there and was impressed. If it's good I eat more than I really need...
It was good!
My friend Danny, the Traveling Piano Man, now based out of Vegas for the last 10 years(?) after traveling around the US to every town and city he could...especially those that were suffering...hurricanes, tornadoes, mass shootings, racial unrest,etc. All the while making an effort to assist in any way possible to help make people's lives better with entertainment, food, clothes, anything he could, emailed me to let me know a friend of his was visiting Oaxaca.
Santa Danny with Moe his Don, gifting the homeless!
I contacted her to discover she contracted Covid after arriving from NYC and was in isolation for the last week. She tested negative a few days ago so we met for lunch. Marcie was also a pianist and singer, who did weddings, events, and now was playing at a nice Italian Restaurant in NY. We had a nice lunch at the Casa Hidalgo and enjoyed our time. Thanks Danny.
Salmon Toast and Marcie had Prosciutto Toast.
She extended her trip a few more days to see some of Oaxaca. I returned home to finish my Stir Fry I prepped yesterday but had NO GAS. It was Friday so I had to wait until Monday to get the tank refilled, which they did.
Today I was planning on Stir Fry but NO GAS, again! I called the property manager who sent a plumber out to check it and he discovered the gas line outside for the BBQ, which the former tenant had but not me, was wide open. The gas valve had been accidently opened by a Cacti I had moved. The heavy plant bumped against it and drained my tank twice...so I had it refilled again. I was totally unaware that the line was not capped. If they show today, I will have Stir Fry tonight? Maybe I will get a BBQ now?
I duct taped it according to Red Green. It will be good forever.
Instead of stir fry I took Gaby to the Sushi place...has no name yet..and we had a delicious and expensive dinner. Seafood is NOT cheap anymore...over $100 with tip and 2 glasses of wine.
MISO
Behind this lovely place was an Airbnb. They are NOT my favorite places, though I have used one once. This looked nice but never saw the rooms and still fixing up the place, but more than willing to rent now.
I had to wait until Saturday for my Gas...and Stir Fry. Gaby and I had lunch on the Terrace.
Eric, a retired Doctor, Salsa Dancer, Photographer and Blogger was visiting a village in Oaxaca for the annual Celebration of their Patron Saint. I include three of his posts...arrival and celebration, rodeo and return to Oaxaca to stay at my place for a few days before returning to Michigan and wife Alice.
More...1525 click each then hit return in upper left
The last is to the blog website where you can read more about the village and event by checking out the other posts that I didn't put up. It is very interesting especially a side visit to a refugee camp in Oaxaca state.
I emailed him to quit the hotel and stay with me. He did. He showed up got his keys and the web password then settled in his room to catch up on lost sleep. I took a walk to a new restaurant Lee told me about.
Private party tonight so hiked to Tasty Vin for Lasagna and salad.
The following day Gaby and I visited Sur y Norte for very nice Tacos and a good walk, while Eric had dinner with friends.
2009 Chiang Mai..blue shirt, traded with friend Pius in Saigon for this shirt that I wore tonight ...the black one.
Gaby had shared Tacos and I shared Grilled Tuna. Not much to see, except on the way home.
YEP ANOTHER WEDDING IN OAXACA
I returned to the local Market for Breakfast...then a looonnggg walk.
That evening Eric wanted to try local Artisan Brews so we went to the roof of a Brew Co-op where each local brewery sold their selections. We had Torta's with two different beers, a Stout Cafeine and a Pale Ale. The caffeine kept me up a bit but I loved the flavor.
Good Morning Oaxaca! Dominos Day and I finally defeated Maddie then we departed for Lunch. I had excellent Beet Soup with a tasty Mexican dish I would call Beef Stew? She had the Enchiladas Very nice lunch.
Today was to be Eric's last. He went to have lunch with more friends from his home town that he hadn't seen in 4 years. They did a fantastic tour with Margox, who came from France and opened her tour business as well as sell Art from the prisoners she donates supplies to. He had to rise at 4 am so we brought him an evening snack after dining at Capiche Garden Restaurant, and we all listened to music, snacks and danced.
Tacos for Gaby...Fresh Fish Fillet for David...not Fish Sticks..but looks like the Frozen pre breaded. Very good.
Eric left at 4am...Delta delayed flight caused disconnect so he was in Grand Rapids late. Gaby and I went to MOOK...third time that they weren't serving. First 2 was between Breakfast and lunch that they close for 1 1/2hrs...this was because they just had a "special event" and closed for the rest of the day. We found Casa Crespo, a cooking school with the restaurant open Thur/Friday/Saturday only. We chose the Chili Nogala with a mini Tamal appetizer. Nice Roof Top overlooking Conzatti Park.
The following night we just went out with no place in mind and as we were walking down Rufino Tamayo we noticed a crowd and a line going into a garden next to the AirBnB that my friends will stay at for Day of the Dead. Curious, we discovered the opening of a second "Almu"restaurant, right in our neighborhood. Wow. We were in for a treat.
A little Mezcal goes a long way!
This is the "Real Deal" Oaxacan Restaurant that will be very successful ... I predict!
Pool day..chance to practice. I left around 10:30 and walked down Porfirio Diaz all the way to the pool hall. Stopped along the way for Maddie's recommended Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream Cone...best I have ever had. I saw Peyote People, a gallery and had to visit. This is mostly from an Indigenous pueblo North near Copper Canyon. I have 2 pieces that I bought years ago at the Tucson Gem show but never saw textile art like this. I decided to return and buy one of each..a beaded sculpture and textile wall hanging.
I met Laura at Liverpool Hall and we played 6-7 games. I enjoyed it. The boys didn't show. It is Independence Day and entertainment was already playing to a crowd. Big night at the Zocalo.
Gaby is ready for the Celebration
We were supposed to go to the Zocalo to hear the top entertainment and participate in the reverie but, too tired.
Lee went and they waited in only one long line to get into the Zocalo with everyone else...no other access could they find...so left.
This evening we went out to get some exercise and dinner. MOOK was closed again so we returned to Almu, our new addition to the neighborhood.
Our neighbors from our Complex were there celebrating his birthday with their daughter. They have a small retail business they run together. Very nice people.
Where can you dine with Goats ?
Gaby "ba ba ing" with the Goats
One of 3 Memolitas...each different and all delicious.
Gaby's Casserole
Very Upscale Clothing and worth it!
Lee returned to the Zocalo the next day for some photos.
End of the Month for this blog...I am off to Buffalo in 2 days for my 60th H.S. Class reunion then on to Phoenix to visit Doctors and friends. Return to Oaxaca in October! Adios till then.
1 comment:
Anonymous
said...
Simply love all your photos! You always capture “the” moment.
1 comment:
Simply love all your photos! You always capture “the” moment.
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