ADVENTURES OF A RETIRED NOMAD: 24

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.