Oaxaca is now getting the arrivals of winter visitors. Thanksgiving is celebrated but not like in the U.S.A. The Holiday Season creeping up.
Seems so quiet now the Dias de Los Muertos is over...I had lunch at Vin and Vinyl. The Sauce on the Chicken didn't taste bad but was grey and too thick. Still an OK meal to work off with a walk.
Today I went back and tried XAOK for lunch...not so great. Soup was OK. Never took a photo of the Entree.
Hot Ponche....like a Cider drink...seasonal and very tasty.
Good and Nutritious Soup
Domino's Day with Maddie. We lunched at Ayuk with a friend of hers. I tried and was pleased with their Hamburgesa...very good. Maddie had her usual and her friend just had soup. Afterwards, I shopped at my Japanese "pop up store" this lady runs out of her car.
Took home Matcha Cheesecake, Chicken Roll, Dumpling and a tasty dessert?
Today I walked over to Yegole for Breakfast of fresh vegetables with Fried Eggs and toast. EXCELLENT little place on Constitution. Then had a BENTO BOX at Kintaro. Love the Japanese food and Soju rice wine.
Dance performance and I got ticket.
Yesterday my old friend, that I met my first week in Oaxaca and drank a lot of beer with, was leaving shortly so I joined him, his brother and sister for "Old Times". We had a wonderful afternoon. Darcy is heading back to Canada for the winter and had been here for an extended visit. Since my move I lost track of connections with friends. He will return in June or July.
Darcy, Pat, and Blair
Nice sunrise today...then long walk with stop at Santa Sabor for a wonderful lunch for $5.
Laid back day. Finally went for a walk to Tasty Vin for Salad and Wine fix...then home to wonderful Sunset.
Daughter Heather kept her eye on me all day.
Property Manager stopped by to collect Rent then I left to meet Chris for Lunch at Casa Hidalgo but when I arrived, they had a private party. I was early so took a walk to buy some Spinach and check out the Zocalo. It was full of people from all over Oaxaca state, sitting in chairs!
I returned to meet Chris when he pulled up in his car. We went to AM/PM for Breakfast and split a Cinnamon Roll after. I forgot to photo the food but we all need a break!
I asked Chris to take my photo so I can show the world my slim trim and fit David vs 5 years ago in Rochester N.Y.
I returned to a greeting from my friend Hedi who is from Estonia, where I met and stayed with her while traveling with Leif, a photo journalist from Denmark. Hedi had 2 other guests from Arizona then...a Mid Wife at the Navajo Reservation and her granddaughter. She also had Bannister, an Aussie that arrived from a stay in Russia, and a NYC Fireman on vacation. We stopped at a store and chipped in for food, then returned to prepare a Spaghetti dinner with wine and after a Sauna together with her son who joined us. She had hosted over 120 people so far that year.
She lived during the Russian occupation after WWII and couldn't travel herself. Now the Russians were gone...she joined CouchSurfing then hosted people and traveled vicariously. Her son got an education, started working in IT and was successful so later she too was doing better and took up traveling, met her partner in France over 10 years ago and was celebrating her birthday with her family and grandchild with a Cake her partner baked as he did every year since they met. Life is good.
She is only one of many special stories about the benefits and rewards of travel. It changed my life. The education received through travel is as valid as any Degree.
This evening I attended a Dance Performance entitled "The 8th Day" by Lior Tavori Dance Company (Israel) at our beautiful Teatro Alcala. Truly OUTSTANDING! Stopped by a gallery first.
it was not offensive at all. A wonderful performance that got a long
standing applause. Every one of the 8 dancers were outstanding. The choreographer managed to pull it off with a LOT of work, I am sure.
Friday I scheduled a massage with Eliz, but she scheduled it later than usual to accommodate her Trainee she had told me about. I arrived at 5 pm was introduced got on the table. She picked me for the trainee because I can't hear. I remove the hearing aides so she could be given suggestions to the trainee and I had no idea. But it was like having a "stereo" massage with two masseuses playing me on both sides at the same time, each with their own style. I left VERY relaxed and now it was dark out. I cut through the Zocalo where lots of dancing and music was playing to a large crowd.
These two villagers wear aprons and hair braided with ribbons to denote the village they are from.
Didn't notice the Crescent Moon
I had lunch at Ayuk and this time ordered something different with Nopal (cactus). I never acquired a taste for Nopal but the food is so good I decided to be brave. Best I ever had! This was Chicken Stuffed with Veggies on Nopal with Mashed Potatoes that were also the best I had ever had. Could not figure out what made they so tasty but I suspect it was cheese added...or sour cream..or??? Oh..the Red Berry Smoothie was also fantastic.
This morning I took this photo at 6:15 , then started the coffee. When I returned in less that 5 minutes to take another...it was already above the mountain.
Gaby, my neighbor, was supposed to return today with her son Nemo, from her recent back operation in San Diego, but postponed it
in order to get pain meds before leaving. They require a statement of when you take them, what time and day, etc. Each pill has to be accounted for and you can NOT get them in Mexico unless the Doctor in the hospital where you are issues them. Script from your doctor won't work. She had to get another appointment in order to get enough to take her through until she was healed so they were no longer required. Otherwise she had to rent an apartment in San Diego to complete her recovery there. She arrives 6 am Thanksgiving Day. I leave on Saturday to visit Heather and family for late Thanksgiving on Sunday at their home in LA. Return Wednesday. Looking forward to it.
Went out late today so had lunch/dinner at Sur y Norte. Nice Cauliflower Tacos..surprisingly good. Took some photos on the way home of a Wedding but one where everyone had painted faces...and
SMILES...maybe the Mezcal? 
That evening I tested my newly installed solar lights on the patio.
Another SUNRISE. Then off to a gallery and a parade. Big event going on at the Zocalo with assorted stands serving all kind of Mexican specialties. I would have liked to try them but the lines!
Saw John and Carla at the Parade. We decided to have a glass of wine at the Zocalo when this lady approached us selling necklaces. John pulled out his phone and showed her a photo he took 2 years ago of her doing the same thing. She was younger, smaller, so ran to get her mother, who also sold the same thing, to show her. Then gave John a kiss on the cheek and thanked him.
I stayed in most of the day...had lunch with Porche, the lady that now lives at my old Fiallo place, who just returned from L.A. We had Shakuka at Boulanc Bakery, where she stocked up on fresh Yogurt. It was good to see her again. 
Overslept
Silver Bells...must be Christmas and Parties.
N0W THAT'S A PINATA
Today is Thanksgiving and Gaby finally made it back with her son Nemo, the son every Mother wishes she had. Gaby has a long convalescence but gets around OK.
Some of the tenants are attending a gathering at Ian and Carolina's place where he graciously invited us to help him eat his Turkey. It was great to see Gaby and I will bring her a plate to share. I went out early and had a Salad with Yucca Tortilla, Bacon, Poached Egg and Oaxacan Cheese Sauce at XAOK.
When I return, Bruce and Leanne will be arriving from Phoenix on December 4th to visit for a week.
I got to the gathering, of around 17 people, early to take a few pictures...then Gaby hobbled down and the serving started. I didn't get many photos after that. Sorry...busy eating! It was a large and fantastic spread of all kinds of Thanksgiving food...nothing was left out....and the Turkey was very, very, flavorful, moist, and enjoyable. The crowd from all over, was wonderful.
Our fantastic Chef Carolina.
Beautifully decorated, by the whole family. A tall Christmas Tree.
Ian: Now what did we forget???
It was a wonderful evening, thanks to our generous Hosts and Chef.
Next post in December.
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