24 - 3 March Surprise its a Lion Now.

 I went to Ayuk a bit late and real hungry so ordered Poached Eggs, Avocado Toast AND the Fruit Platter.

Underneath the Strawberries, in between the Banana and the Apples were diced fresh Pineapple and Cantaloupe!

Later that afternoon, Lee and I decided to Taxi to Reforma and eat at Mexito, a very nice Italian Restaurant. The owner leaves for Napoli after the season then return the following season to welcome his customers back. We were both looking forward to it.  It was one of my favorites when I lived one block away for 6 Months! I had the Beef Carpaccio y Arugula then Ricotta Raviolis so good. Lee heard so much about the pizza, he had a personal Pizza that he really enjoyed.

Panacotta Blanco Chocolate and a Carlos 10 Brandy to go with it ...because.

When departing our complex, Lee inquired if I thought we needed an umbrella and I commented that it was only a 5% chance according to the forecast...BUT just before finishing our meal, a crack of thunder and lightening simultaneously. We immediately grabbed our meal and headed inside just as the rain started. A party of 5 women sitting in the corner near us were being evacuated by waiters with umbrellas to escort them to the dinning room.

I think that's nice 'cusin in Texas they would say...shit run for it. Which is what Lee and I did. There was people, cars, trucks, buses, police direct traffic where the power shut down the traffic lights. We were wet when we arrived home. Turns out, Gaby was out for a walk and also walked home in the rain.

Upon arriving home I discovered my unit was flooded, not as bad as the one time I was in the states when it was a huge hail storm and rain that took 4 hours....this one took me 2 hours. Ceramic floors are easy to clean and good in floods. Can't see the water in photos.

The next day, I went on a PhotoWalk and stopped at Kintaro for my Japanese fix.

                                 Someone lost their Doll? 

                                               Salsa Lessons! 

                                         It's not Cotton!   

                                   Guelaguetza Theater

Bill, my good pool player friend, was having dinner with his wife and invited me to join them. I declined, but after, decided I will no longer refuse invites from friends...life is too short.

Seldom see this....Usually like  ....

              Damien's Recommendation was Excellent

Please, no more Rain.

Breakfast at Yegole, one of my favorite Mom and Pops, didn't happen as they have closed. I went to a Cafe at Casa Baro that came recommended. It is owned by W Craig who came from Denver and took over last year I think.  I had the Biscuits with Poach Eggs and Ham...but didn't see any ham? Waited forever and never got my Green Juice or Cappuccino until after the Biscuit arrive. The Biscuit was the best but the stuffing or accompanying poached egg was hard and couldn't find any ham?

                Moved, Not Closed....can't wait to see the new Yegole!

Just got the new address:

Yegolé Café, Narciso Mendoza 201, Centro, 68080 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax. 

It was hard to cut through the Biscuit without cutting the paper under it. Why do they put paper under your breakfast, served on a plate?

Pool Day and not to miss Allan's 85th Birthday. Maddie sent me some photos of her trip to Zihuatanejo.

        Awesome 4 layer Chocolate Beautiful Cake that tasted great!

Allen with his dog, and Domingo's Granddaughter I believe. Two

of Liverpool's Staff. 

 

We all had our photo taken with him but the Mexican's being the giving, kind, thoughtful, people they are, sang Happy Birthday. Not a dittie but a song with meaningful words that isn't over in 20 seconds.

Click to play

Allan a Very Good Player Beat Me....AGAIN
 

On my way home in the HEAT of the day I passed a Volleyball game that was impressive.

I was fading in the heat and realized I hadn't drank any water so stopped at Aquacate and had some fresh fruit, juice and water.

The next day I decided to go to a tried and true new place for Breakfast Lunch...Las Chilmoleras on Republica.  I've had one breakfast and two lunches that were very good so tried something completely different, that I have never heard of...Turkish Yogurt with Poached Eggs which turned out to be a good choice. After I did a long Sunday morning Photo Walk.

            Lots out Sunday Morning Early Walk in the Park

   These men deserve thanks for the work they do every day.

Took a break for Tuna Steak, Salad, and Mashed Potatoes at Tasty Vin for $9 not counting a couple of excellent Rioja Wines from Spain.  Then back to the Magnificent Ceramic exhibit in the Gallery next to San Pablo Cultural Center. Oaxaca has some fantastic Ceramic Designers and Artists, Painters, Sculpurs, etc. Very creative!

Great dancer's in the Street with excellent Fugal Horn player...Not Chuck Mangionie from Rochester New York  but damn good and looked like him....?

                 This guy played a great Moonlight Sonata!

It was dark when I returned after my 5 mile PhotoWalk...so exhilarating.  Slept well but rested most of Sunday after finishing Oppenheimer! Great movie. Went to Sur y Norte for Fish Ceviche Tostadas. 

This morning I tried something different at Ayuk. Slices of Beef with Avocado arranged on a pyramid of Corn Chips Covered in a Red Sweet Pepper Sauce. Ate it all! Very Mexican and very flavorful.

That afternoon I took a walk to the new Mexican Mescal Museum to try the drinks and food.  The menu is light Mexican, creative, small portions to eat while sampling Mescal, Cocktails, and Craft Beers.

                                      Excellent Blond IPA 

             Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas in a Black Mole Sauce

This was the first Mescal Drink I ordered, but upon picking it up to drink, I realized I can't set it on the table, has to go back in a fancy drink holder. The straw slipped down into the base and I had to drink it without the straw.Who invents these things. 

               Our Opera House, beautiful outside and inside!

Jon visiting from France. I mistook him for another and flagged him down. He is a world traveler who has been to most every country in the world...including all the ....stans.  Uzbekistan, etc.

Finally got the message that the painting of Marie Sabina, the one who shared her knowledge of Magic Mushrooms to the world back in the 50's and was in Life Magazine with full spread, was framed and ready after 3 weeks.

Well I am off for first library hike in 6 years. I met the van at Llano Park for a 2 1/2 hour drive. Last on, I got stuck in the back seat corner. Tom, one of my pool player friends, and Mona is with me. 6 mile mountain hike El Sabino in Caym. I even bought a light weight backpack, two liters of water I froze, and peanut butter on sourdough sandwiches for lunch. Gabriela from the library is also with us. I feel more confident with all these old hikers with their walking sticks, reeboks, and gear. We were 7000 feet altitude from 5000 in Oaxaca City. It was a sunny warm day when we set off.

                   Wonderful day to be out in Nature.

Aquacate for Healthy lunch today and return to stay in and rest.

This morning I stopped at the ATM to fill up my wallet then to the library to meet with Ralph, and discuss me coming on board with the finance committee.  I think I will as it is not really time consuming and something I feel I could contribute to. Stopped to see the "Belt Man" at his stand in the Benito Juarez Market to get three belts cut down to fit my trim waistline! The over to the pool hall where I met Ian, Kurt, and John for some pool with the gang. Another 6-8 people were there too.  Kurt and I made plans to lunch at Berlina and John joined us.  Nice time but I thought I took a photo of my meal but got my table and shorts instead.

   

                              My hike day on the far right!

               Holy Week Wreaths to put up...made from Palms

John and Kurt.  John's Bratwurst and Potato Salad

Holy Week Decorations are all over Oaxaca now.....

Today I had Breakfast at Cabuche and forgot the food photos but love the Men's and Ladies room signs.

My terrace plants are growing and survived my first year of care. My terrace view has changed with the addition of the new restaurant but the beautiful trees of my neighbor across the way were cut down and I don't see anyone living in that beautiful piece of property. I visited Gaby and her new dog..Pedro? Full moon a coming.

SUNDAY Morning on CBS...mellow hot day..stayed in 60 Minutes and Bedtime...Full Moon arrived.

Monday morning and Holy Week when many shops are closed, I decided to take an early morning walk and have breakfast at Yegole new location in Jalaltco.  I love that that area has added an Organic Store, Las Chilmoralos Mexican/Colombian Restaurant, The Elefante Cafe, Yegole , Te Shop, and then I discovered Espiritu Puro Gallery! Great morning, breakfast, and I bought a lot of Art but Credit Transaction was refused so had to go home and call the bank.

Got it straight but now HOT so I took a Taxi back to complete my purchase and pick up my art...but they closed for lunch and the day..holy week. Taxi was $10 Dollars..most I have paid in a while. Returned home disappointed but exhilarated.

                   Quite a change from their last 15 seat location.

                          Barely 1 year old and so Curious

This morning Maddie, John and Carla arrived to play Dominos. Then we went to Jalalatco for lunch. I ordered then went to pay for and pick up my art. Again it was rejected, but I called and after 15 minutes got it and returned while our group was almost done. Our meals were good but I took some of mine home with my art but no photos.

 Awesome sunrise and start of Holy Week and decorations.

This morning I bused and walked to Oscuro on Vega in La Noria to have breakfast with Deke, my ex complex manager. He is working on a new book project and just returned from visiting a distant village. He speaks Spanish very well and has many Mexican friends he works with on his projects to document Artisans whose occupations are disappearing along with their art, craft, profession.

     Our visit and meal was very good.

That evening the Sunset was dimmed with clouds that blocked the Mountain view. A haze I took for smoke from a distant fire. I went inside and closed up the house and turned on my air purifier that registered 54...I never saw it over 9.  Nightfall brought a yellow moon that looked like the sun...then the closer I got it changed to Orange or Red.

This morning I filmed the 56 second sunrise. Later the clear sky and I could see the Mountains now. I stayed at home most the day then took photos of the Mountains at Sunset.  Good Day.

Click for 56 second Sunrise

                5 Minutes later it was way above the Mountain

                                  Japanese Bubble Tea Shop 

                          Cactus snaking it's way up the Tree.

Selling Toys for Easter?

Today is Good Friday so many places closed. I visited the Pochota Mercado that Deke recommended to get my Goat Milk for Kefir. I had to order it and the lady will bring it next Friday. I passed a procession on the way then stopped at the pool hall but closed so took the bus home.

                                          Candles are Lit

                      Met Adelina and her daughter Frederica. She was my maid on Fiallo for 6 years and her daughter is now entering college and speaks good English.  They have a better home and work with a wonderful couple.  It has been over two years since I saw them. So nice!

        My Granddaughter Kelsey sent me a Photo of her family with her sister Emily, another Granddaughter, celebrating her my Great Granddaughter, Isabella's Birthday at Disneyworld. 

       I had some Shrimp Tacos at Sur y Norte then attended the Silent Good Friday Procession before returning home.

 

Had dinner that evening at Casa Celia. So good.

Breakfast this late morning at Ayuk where I ran into Lynn, joined by a friend from Sedonna, Arizona. They just finished breakfast and I enjoyed my usual. 

Happy Hour with Mezcaltini at Silva one of the Top 50 bars in North America. 

Watched NYAD , the movie, last night...really uplifting and outstanding! It is EASTER today.  I've been inside all day so getting ready to venture out and go looking for Easter Eggs...or a bit of Chocolate! This ends the Post and will start another next week. Happy Easter!