24 - 3 MARCH...LAMB OR LION

 Today is the first day in March and still warm but not a problem. I went next door to Cafe Perro to try my second breakfast. I ordered the Avocado Toast with 2 Eggs fried UP, juice and double Espresso. After getting my Espresso, the waiter informed me they had no Avocado Toast.  There weren't many choices for Eggs on the Menu, 3 to be exact. I didn't want the Omelette and I already ate one other dish my first visit, so got the Enchilada Suiza which had very little discernible Chicken in it with that White criss/cross stuff that has no taste.  I have no idea what it is. The Tomitillo Sauce was bland like out of a can and the Corn Tortilla's used were old dry and also tasteless. My service was excellent again but I doubt I will be back. There is a nice Mexican, restaurant to the West of Conzatti Park that has much better at much cheaper price.

A couple with a dog sat across from me. The man had the Pitbull on the leash when the dog took an interest in the man at the other table and started for him. The dog owner was pulled over the top of his table and before it tipped over he let the leash go.  His wife came to the rescue.

                                     Adios Perro Cafe

Our Motley Crew of 5 chipped in and bought an aspiring young pool player his first Q-Stick.  He was very pleased!

Yesterday, Marc, Judi, and I had lunch at a new place in Jalalatco after our Domino game. Quite good. 

My Salmon Benedictine had NO Hollandaise but some Mayo and was still delicious. 

Marc's dish had a Mix of Chicken, Pepper, Veggies, and Salad on Corn Chips...ate it all.

Judi's was 3 Temitillas or something to that effect.   Mexican cuisine in Arizona goes back to before the Spanish but most was Americanized Mexican food.  Chimichangas, Burritos, Tacos, and Tostadas. This is the real deal. I'm learning...but slowly.  

Friday, I skipped Pool and met Marc at Fermento Labo, a fermenting kitchen that sells fermented food and drinks to go, and has a menu. We had purchased some of the products a few weeks back but were there to see how they use them in the menu.

 

I had the Vermicelli and he had the Pollo Frito...neither of us was pleased. I might return. Later that day I visited my Cardiologist for Echo Cardiogram results which were fine. After I passed a Indian Wedding party. Oaxaca is world popular for Weddings but for Indians to come to Oaxaca (I assume for their daughter's wedding) is a big deal. Weddings in India are expensive extravaganzas. To see these well off people dressed in there finery in Oaxaca was nice and different.

I stopped at Sur y Norte for a Mini Hamburger and wine before returning home

Very good.

Saturday I wandered to Photo Exhibit after having a wonderful Breakfast at La Ciela , an old favorite that I haven't been to in years. 

They remodeled with really nice furnishings and updated the menu. I sat on the patio and enjoyed a really outstanding Mexican Divorcado Dish with a Cordado and Fresh Orange Juice.

I stopped at the Sanchez Mercado for some Fresh Ginger to pickle. A very good Sax player entertained me.  I packed up a couple bottles of wine when I got home and took a Taxi to pick up my friend Linda to attend Ian and Allie's Thank you party for the people responsible for building their new home in Guadalupe Victoria, just North of Oaxaca City.

This is one piece of Ginger that I broke in half...one pound.

It took the Taxi quite a while to find this address through a maze of dirt roads and streets until I got out my GPS and set him straight.

It is a beautiful home overlooking the valley.  

               Lots of Empanadas, Pizza, Cheeses, and snacks. Our bartender on the left drove us all back after a wonderful afternoon.

My fellow blogger and photographer Marc Sikin leaves shortly. He remarked about Mexico City: 

Mexico City is down to a 30 day supply, and rainy season is 90-120 days away. 25 million people live there. And to make things more interesting, the volcano Popo, 50 miles away from Mexico City has been erupting all week, moving the hazard level ever higher.

The Weather Station says the world is in a 100 year drought.

Also he did mention Oaxaca's problems as I stated in my last blog about the landlords comment to ration my water.  Now if he could just do the same:

 Washing a car with our rationed water?? I take each day as it comes?

                           Need a Heart Transplant?

Great Sunrise this morning.  I took a walk to La Ceila for another of their wonderful Breakfasts. That afternoon I tried something new at Ayuk but was disappointed. Only the second time since I found the place.

I don't care for Oaxacan Cheese and this was covered with it!

Imagine all that cheese in your stomach! Stir Fry under it was good.

A new Tuna Minstrel group from a different Oaxacan University!

Today was a gathering of Democrats Abroad at the Argentine Pizza place. The Pizzas looked good but the crust was thick but full of air and no flavor.  Later that evening I picked up a Hamburger from nearby Black Burger.

I played pool with Kurt today then on the way to lunch with Lynn and Helen, we discovered a Mezcal Mecca! 

We arrived at Tipico Mom and Pop Restaurant where Helen and Lynn had Chili Rellenos and Kurt had Chicken and I had Beef. Not great but not bad. We all had Lime Pie after. Too much fried food. I will have dinner at the Mezcal Mecca we discovered...and give you the low down.

Dominos day I took a beating and lost our last game of the season. Marc, Judi and I returned to the Mexican Restaurant in Jalaltco that we enjoyed so much. It was just as good as the last time and we all tried something different. 

Judi had the ESPECIALIDADES: 3 Colombian Empanadas

I think mine were the Memelas: 3 Delicious, Fresh but forgot what the ingredients were? Eggs mixed with Tomato, Avocado, Greens? on a Crisp Corn Cake?

Marc had Del Comal Tetelas. Three and each a different filling.

It was a great "Last Meal Together"

Friday was "Good Samaritan Day".  Always a fun day where beverages are passed out at different locations, all over the City...FREE.  I was a hot day so after playing a couple games of pool, I left to return home before it got any hotter than it already was.

The streets were crowded as families were out taking advantage of sales and free beverages. Very festive but the traffic was backed up and sidewalks full so I could walk faster than a bus while stopping along the way to get a free beverage every block, until I got far enough the traffic thinned out and I could see a bus coming soon. 

My home was still cool when I entered. I watched the movie Ruskin

and highly recommend it. Excellent movie.

Linda, my neighbor invited me to a Pizza gathering of the complex to introduce her guest Marilyn that was visiting her for a few days. I had planned to check out one of the 50 TOP BARS of North America called SILVA that was close by.  A 15 minute walk and I was there just as they opened at 5pm.  I browsed there drink menu before I left and ordered a Milpero...Beefeaters Gin, Chepiche, Lemongrass, Nami Sake, Carpano Dry Vermouth and Milpero Tomatoes. $14 American! 

It doesn't look like an expensive drink but it packed a punch and was very good. The lady next to me, from West Virginia had just arrived in Oaxaca yesterday and sampled a "Green Drink" that had Mezcal in it. She was leaving for the beach village of Puerto Escondido in a few days.

I had to try one more drink. A Passiflora: Paranubes Anejo Rum, Valdeflores Rum, Curry and Coconut Oil. Spicy and potent.

I left and passed quite a few well-heeled people that could be headed for SILVA?  Also Women's Day discussions.

 

Oaxacan Women had been celebrating International Women's Day with group discussions on the Street. Earlier they had a parade similar to last year when they spray painted protests on buildings. This year Oaxaca boarded up the government buildings to protect them. 

 

Finally arrived at my complex in time for the Pizza...from Pizza Hut and one of the better pizza's I've had. Oaxaca has few good pizza places.

Sunday I slept late...9:30! Staying in all day then stopped at Casa Celia for some Paella and Calamari. Forgot the Paella Photo.

Chef Adrian stopped by to say hello. I left satisfied!

Monday morning I was meeting Portia, the lady that took my old apartment, and her neighbor Cheri who I got to know when living there. We were to go out last week but the heat changed our plans.

We had a nice visit and breakfast at Terranova in the Zocalo with Geraldo as our long time server.  Returning home I noticed workers taking down the protection on the Government buildings to protect them from this weekend's Women's Day Parade.  Too bad they forgot the Churches...

             

                      No Gringos...what did I do???

                    That will take some work to restore!

Tomorrow I bid more friends goodbye as they return to the states.

I will close this post after all this excitement and take a wee break.