ADVENTURES OF A RETIRED NOMAD: July 2024

Many of you ask about the "Street Food" in Oaxaca and I love what I've tried but it tends to be fattening, depending on what you order. I love the Greasy Hamburgers with pineapple, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato and you might get a hot dog included...excellent for $4...last I heard. I do eat Tacos with beef tongue or Al Pastor with pork and pineapple, ....this is an article about Oaxacan Street food: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/food/how-to-experienced-the-best-street-food-in-oaxaca/?utm_source=mktg_email_paid.

The crowds have arrived. Most all are from everywhere in Mexico and they drove here. Traffic is intense. I went for my monthly massage this morning and was taking the bus home with a shopping list of food. If I take the bus all the way to Reforma, I could walk a short distance to Cherdaui Supermarket and get everything on my list then take a taxi home. I did but when I came out to the taxi stand, there were none, so got in line to wait but the wait and the line was getting longer because they were all downtown making money running tourists around. I walked into the center of Reforma in the heat with my full shopping bag. Still no taxis.

Avocado Stuffed with Tuna Salad...under $10

I finally stopped and had lunch then took the bus. I was the last on and they couldn't close the door so I stood with one hand holding on for life and the other with my bag until we hit the next stop when another got on and I felt like I was stuffed into a sandwich. Then when the bus was to turn up to my street...he couldn't because the traffic was three lanes bumper to bumper and NOT moving. He crossed the street and told everyone that needed to go up that street to get out and walk. I did. Welcome to Guelagetza. I arrived soaked in sweat and jumped into the shower.

Traveling salesman on the bus TO Reforma...sold a backscratcher, two lighters, a grater, and some things I couldn't see. He will get off and on a return bus and do the same all day.

A recent article in Mexican Daily News featured Oaxaca as a place to visit and live. Very informative:

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexico-living/mnd-where-to-live-in-mexico-2024-guide-oaxaca/

Sunday I visited Casa Celia for a Spanish Omelet made with Potatoes, caramelized Onions, and eggs, served in a Chorizo Sauce. Then a Seafood Stew with Rice, Shrimp and Octopus.

Yesterday I had my Monthly Massage with Eliz then took the bus, to shop in Reforma.

I love Ayuk's Breakfast Menu...

1st Oatmeal with Banana, Apple, and Pear...no lactose milk. Never saw that offered. Also my Poached Eggs w/Avocado with salad. It is perfect every time. Any other place in Oaxaca that I order poached it comes this perfect one in 5 times. He is an artist as well with blending the flavor of the foods. His Mole is an excellent example.

The next day I returned but had the Chicken Enchilada's with Mole and a Fruit Salad. Had a nice Malted Milkshake to enjoy with it. Trying to fatten myself up a little. I visited the market looking for blueberries but came with flies. A group Wake was going on for one of the persons that ran a shop there. They put up an altar and had a singer sing some songs in their honor while food was being shared.

The next day I walked over to the park and festivities were just setting up and starting.

This morning I left early for photos, all the while savoring the Eggs Benedict that I was going to enjoy at Casa Hildago before playing pool with Alan and Chris.

Pool? I won one and was very happy. I checked for my test results from the Lab I visited this morning with an extensive list I had my Doc Z fill out so there would be no mistakes like in the past...usually due to my lack of Spanish. The results were in but I decided to pick them up the next day when I went back for 2 more tests they could not do today.

I rose and went for the last of my tests at 8:30am. A painless blood draw and all my copies of yesterday's results were given to me to go over with Doc Z. I will get them tonight on the internet but meanwhile decided to eat at Los Cuiles...they had new menus with increased prices and I didn't recognize the cook or anyone? Hmmm. I ate and was disappointed with what always was excellent food. It was good but for the $ I will never eat her again...it's been 10 years and I think its a new owner.

Sweet Roll with the Hot Chocolate, Bread to soak up the sauce that all the corn chips don't. One Egg and one Fresh Squeeze Orange. Carbo heaven but not for me.

I paid $12 the same for Eggs Benedict with a large fresh squeezed Grapefruit juice at Casa Hildago. Back in Oaxaca...

My Selfie...need to learn more.

Later I went to Ayuk for lunch and took home dinner.

The next day I did a photo walk and ran into a parade.

Homeless recycler.

Following day I passed a lot of small vendors selling to the Guelagetza tourists.

This doggie gets around!

Grasshoppers are popular but get the small ones...legs on the big ones get stuck in my teeth.

Had to stop at Ayuk for lunch...so good.

Breakfast at Ayuk, shopping for Mushrooms, Singing lady on the bus with a Stick for a cane, fried fish at the outdoor market,....and window fashion display.

She sang Capello and collected some change.

Today, everyone was leaving town...it was a mad house for traffic and getting around. I went to shoot pool and hopped on my bus but he didn't turn the normal route and bypassed the whole downtown. I ended up out in the country with no taxis that would take me to the Center so took the bus back where I came from, then took a taxi to the pool hall. I arrived an hour after I left.

We played a few games then we had planned lunch with Ian and Roger but Ian had the car and I preferred to walk and meet them at the restaurant. I got there and waited 15 minutes until finally Ian texted me that the traffic was impossible and they were taking a rain check and heading home. It took him 2.5 hours to get there...normally 30 minutes. I had a nice salad with fish, pineapple and tomato. I finally got a taxi home where Lee was just coming home also with his camera.

I didn't go to the big Guelagetza Parade this year. It was raining. That didn't stop the tourists but 2-3 hours is a long parade. I hope you did enjoy the bits and pieces of the events this month.

I am closing early with this post and taking a little time off to relax and finish planning my return trip to the states for Doctors, family and friends. There will be one post in August...then the trip back in September. Enjoy the rest of your summer. A couple days ago, the Earth's temperature was the highest since recording temperatures began over 84 years ago. We live in trying times. My new TV and Plant.

Whoops, had to add recent discovery of Casa Antique Cafe in my neighborhood of Xochimilco. Open M-Sat

9 am - 1 pm while serving Breakfast and Coffee.

My lovely Ceiling

Very well done details, comfortable, attractive, and "classy". Menu has nice drink and food selections and presentations. But...all that is a reflection of the two male owners (I believe). The Cordado I had was watery with little "coffee" flavor I expect from Oaxacan coffee. The Mole on my dish was excellent but the Chicken Enchiladas were dry, chewy and flavorless. I will give it another try as I felt very relaxed, quiet and great music with the ambience. I will stick with American coffee and Bacon and Eggs next time and see?

One more parade and I think some Muxes (The muxe (pronounced MOO-shay) are Zapotec people who view themselves as neither man nor woman, but instead a distinct “third gender.” Identified as male at birth, they embody female characteristics — in presentation, behavior and professions — which once earned them contempt and scorn.) in this one?