24 - 1 NEW YEAR

 Christmas Day I was up at 5:30 and had my coffee then prepared a salad for my Pot Luck contribution to the Library Dinner party at 1 pm to 4 pm. I took a taxi at 12:30 and turned in my Salad to the Volunteer that greeted me. The crowd was arriving and everyone seemed in the Christmas Spirit. John and Carla were saving me a seat upstairs on the roof top where most of the seating was along with a Bar and an Appetizer table. We each bought a bottle of wine to save jumping up and down. Our table was the last to get called to the serving line and I was 3rd from last to be served. I was surprised that my choices were as nice as the first person that went through the line. Stellar job of setting up and serving a fantastic selection of foods. The desserts were looking thin after I finished and decided to treat myself, but satisfied my sweet tooth. I took a half bottle of wine home with my empty salad dish and took a nap.

It was a pleasant day of socializing and great food....Now for the evening at my complex.  I woke from the nap and reheated a pizza I was to bring to "finger food" to the Christmas evening gathering at the complex. 

I called it an early night and took a tamale to Gaby who wasn't feeling well, on my return to my Casa. Heather and Allen sent me their Christmas Photo and greetings.

Santa Hierba was my Breakfast choice.  While returning from Jalaltco, I stopped at the Ice Skating Rink in Llano Park to do a brief video of Oaxacans attempting their first time on the Ice...there were lots who never saw snow, lined up to try the experience.

Prehistoric Beverage that is very healthy and made with corn.

Notice the Moorish Arches that are prevalent in Spanish Architecture. Some interiors have the same high ceilings and arches.

The portion was small and mostly Potatoes. Asparagus ends not trimmed or edible. This was close to $15 with drink.

Went to new breakfast place the next day...Reposte? Close by and I went there once for a nice breakfast but the 4 times I returned, the music drove me out twice, and twice they closed the kitchen early so they could lock the door at 2 pm but I was there at 1:30 and am a firm believer that you never turn people away when they arrive during your stated hours of operation. My meal was good and service was nice.  I even had a good singer doing It's a Wonderful World. I will return.

Two Poached Eggs on Fresh Homemade Wholewheat Sourdough Topped with Serrano (pigs fed acorns) Ham from Spain, Radishes, and a wild leafy vegetable that taste great and grows everywhere.

The black is not pepper but Ash.

Late afternoon, Shrimp Fettuccine dinner at Ayuk. This was a new dish for me and came with 5 LARGE head on fresh shrimp cooked to perfection with a nice Marinara sauce. Nothing fancy but for $12 I was very pleased. I had to peel the shrimp but the Chef made it easy by splitting the shell. I would have enjoyed some parmesan but happy.

 Night night!

Zoey, my good friend, just returned from Pattaya and Koh Samui Thailand where she was visiting her ex and her son for almost a month. We agreed to meet at Kintaro for "catch up" and lunch. So much to talk about, I forgot to take photos, except:

                   

                               Yes they serve Crickets.

 That evening a prepared a Baked Salmon Filet topped with a White Wine Sauce and fresh Spinach, Artichoke Hearts, Peas, and Green Onions. It was good but I overdid it on the Sauce.

The following day I returned to Ayuk for Chicken dinner that was excellent. Great Mashed Potatoes.

I walked it off with a trip to the Zocalo. This is a Heart Shaped container for plastic bottles and cans...they are around Oaxaca.

Saturday I decided to take a long 3 mile photowalk to the Zocalo to see what was going on the day before New Year's Eve.

                          Beautiful Mexican Wedding Dress

                   Budding male entrepreneurs selling their Art.

                 Budding female entrepreneurs selling their Art.

                             Another trash can...over flowing.

                     Botus must have fathered a son?

So much for 2023....see you in 2024..have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve.

The day started off good....
 

23 - 12 PHOENIX GUESTS...CHRISTMAS

 I had a Salad with Pea Hummus at XAOK late this afternoon. 

 Gaby and I stopped by to visit Linda, another tenant in the complex.   Gaby lost a little more weight after the back operation and will take 3 months to recover and start therapy.

                       We had a nice brief visit.

My friend Bruce and his partner Leanne, arrived from Phoenix around 9 pm for a week long visit. We ate some Tamales then went to bed.  This morning I made some coffee then we walked to Campeche for Breakfast.  Good start for them.   

  

Bruce and Leanne wanted to visit the church to give thanks for the wonderful Host that is showing them Oaxaca. We wandered...

                

                                    The Smoke Room

                       

        

                                 My Competition....better camera.

Chapulines...grasshoppers with towers of worms for Mezcal or just munching on with your peanuts, or different sized hoppers with chile pepper and lime.

The "Smoke Room" is where you pick the meats you want, they cook them then give them to the restaurant where you are sitting, and the restaurant makes them into Tlayudas..a giant Crispy Tortilla with beans,onions, cheeses, tomato, salsa, whatever you want on it, then you share with others and drink beer. Samples: 

Next day, we had breakfast at the local market, then later in the evening headed for Tres Bistro. Bruce wanted to treat me to a fancy dinner.

Lady enjoying her breakfast with a Mezcal for after to start the day.

Zocalo and Tres Bistro....and a night of Food Drink and MEZCAL!

After a pitcher of Sangria at the Bar, we sat down to drink and dine. A liter and a half of Wine, Grilled Salmon with Roasted Vegetables, Chicken Mole with Rice, and Combo Tacos. Then a shared dessert of Whisky Ice Cream with 3 Brandy Sniffers of Carlos I Brandy!

                         Chicken (under) Mole

                    Wonderful meal and evening .... so far.

 Bruce saw a Mezcal Bar earlier and insisted we try it. We did...along with 2 more Mezcal Bars then an evening night cap at home of   ?? Mezcal.

                    First Mezcal Bar at Origin Restaurant.

     Second Mezcal Bar...now we have gone over the top...

            Lady from Paris, France....seriously.

       

    Last...we "sobered up" with a beer? Chased with Mezcal at home.

Not sure how we got home but someone told me we walked.

I managed to wake around 10 am and headed for Breakfast at the Market when no one else stirred for a while. Actually....for the day.

I did go out to eat dinner at La Jicara, after Bruce and Leanne woke but then went back to bed. 

 

Nice Protein Tuna Steak, Mashed Potatoes for Carbs and Red Cabbage for a rounded meal. The Salad and meal were great. I popped in to the newly opened library to see how nice she set it up.

Went right to bed...

Leanne and  I had breakfast at Ayuk the next day while Bruce was still recovering after throwing up 6 times the night before. 

I can't believe that no one seems to know about this place? So good.

I went with Gaby to assist her getting in and out of the Taxi while getting her blood work. Then dropped Gaby off and played pool for a short time.  Later I met Bruce, Leanne and I walked around a bit. They did a tour of the Botanical Gardens. We had lunch at Quinque. Bruce was still not feeling good so returned with Leanne to watch TV, then back in bed....so I returned to La Jicara for dinner again.  This was Organic Chicken with Pineapple Chutney and Peanuts, Rice and Vegetables. OK...but no raves.

 

     

        Folk Guitarist was to play music but I left to bed early.

Great sunrise...then Ayuk for breakfast.  Guests went to the Opera then called for me to join them after at Berlina for German Sausage and Beer. Always good!

                                         Ayuk Breakfast

                         German Sausage Lunches

Leanne wasn't feeling too good so had some Broccoli Soup. Bruce took her home in a Taxi while I walked and took some more photos.

             Christine, my neighbor, also coming from the Opera.

Another nice sunrise on the last day of their stay.  Taxi arrived around 11 am and I bid them goodbye.  We had fun.

An Ice Skating Rink was set up in Llano Park with games, rides, food, with a Winter theme while beautiful 78% F.  I stopped to take some photos and enjoy the atmosphere. 

        Gecko, the local Gringo Band that entertains so well with Rock n Roll, and Blues, is playing in Jalaltco so I stopped in and saw Lynn and Kurt, who just arrived from Australia for the season. Pat, Steve, David, Carol, Lee, Vincent, Dr Z, etc...nice turn out and the band had a Guest Guitarist that had played with a famous band? He was good but I didn't stay and couldn't hear to carry on a conversation. 

My Tytluda To Go.

     

                             Snow for the children to play in.

                       I never saw chair sleighs on Ice before?

                              Friends dancing to Gecko

              Kurt and Lynn, arrived yesterday from Australia Jetlagged!

  

                              Vincent, my neighbor...

                                        Warren socializing.

               I returned to enjoy 60 Minutes and my Tytluda. 

Monday I went to play pool with Kurt, but it turns out he was still fighting Jet Lag and not feeling well, so I played a few games then left to enjoy Fettuccine Bolognese Casa Hidalgo.  Great day.

Dominos today with Maddie then lunch after at Aquacate...so good.

Chickpea Power Bowl for Maddie

Me...Avocado Toast with Eggs

Teotitlan honors Guadalupe click to enjoy

I have no idea what day is what with all the Christmas festivities. I will be attending the library Pot Luck on Christmas Day, then a gathering at my complex for more. Donating gifts to workers at the complex and in the street to homeless and immigrants.

Breakfast at AM then a walk about ending with late lunch at Kintaro.

Lines for Ice Skating or Watching

Homeless is waiting for clothes to dry.

Note the 43 signifying the 43 students that were disappeared one night in 2016 never to be found.

Nice Meal at Kintaro

Good Morning Oaxaca

Great Sunrise and Breakfast at AM

Dominos Day.  Maddie and I had lunch at Ayuk as usual. She won!

           My H.S. Classmate, Doug Sieg forwarded his Day Shot of an Eagle from his home in N.Y. State.

Maddie enjoyed a "plain" Burger while I tried her favorite Taco dish.

Ayuk is located just off the Eastside of Palacico on this street.

          Some of the Excellent Food that I've enjoyed at Ayuk.

Yesterday I tried the Lentil Burger Lee recommended at Aquacate. Then back to Casa Hidalgo for Breakfast this morning.

                   Radish Festival very shortly...

I took Gaby out for late afternoon lunch at Kintaro as a treat for both of us. 

We shared a Bento Platter and Chef's Choice...with a bottle of Saki.

The next day was cold so I stayed in until around 3:30, then left to scout a new place to eat.  It turns out the Radish Festival Parade was that evening and the streets were already lined up with young and old sitting on the roadside curbs waiting.  I discovered a so-so restaurant had a new menu and owner so decided to give it a try. Mistake....I ordered Spaghetti with Shrimp. More like a Stew on a Plate.

I waited at least 20 minutes for the dish while sipping my wine.

 When I left, it had been about 45 minutes and people were still waiting with NO parade in site. Mexicans are very patient. I ran into a small Christmas concert on my way home. It was put on by the students and the Music instructor set it up with the bright lights on the AUDIENCE so it was difficult to take a photo or to see with bright lights in your face. 

I left my Casa Javier right after Sunrise for a nice walk to Ayuk to try something different for Breakfast.  My Mushroom Omelet was presented nicely and cooked right...BUT too much Oaxacan cheese. Like chewing on salty gum without the sweet taste. I personally do not like Oaxacan cheese and should have known better...time for a walk.

                            I wonder if Victor lives upstairs?

Stuffed Mushrooms on the side...just wish it was different cheese.

                     My Secret Garden...use your imagination!

 

A Radish destined to be a Clown in the Competition, managed to escape his fate but is now homeless, but enjoying the day relaxing.

The Radish Festival at the Zocalo was Friday (parade night) and Saturday.  I thought it would extend into Sunday and left today to find it was all torn down and replaced by the Oaxacan Orchestra. 

I ordered some Sushi to share with Gaby, tipped my waiter friends for Christmas, and walked to the bus stop where I met a man close to his 60's stocking his little display with nuts and candies to sell. He had bought large containers and small plastic bags, then divided them all up into the small bags sealed with 3 staples and filled his large shopping bag with the small ones. I caught him as he was filling his display for a trip to a corner where it was busy and he might make enough to take home something to his family on Christmas Eve.

I will close this blog with that thought in mind.  Merry Christmas ! 

The next blog will be in January.  Sincere wishes to you, friends, and family as we close the hottest year on record.  Amigo David

PS Shannon, creator of View from Casita Colibri did manage to attend the Radish Festival: Radishes and the artists who love them.

 Click for her wonderful take and photos.