25 - 2 MID SEASON IN OAXACA

 Activity in Oaxaca is in high season.  Almost 15 years now have gone by since I first arrived and I'm starting to avoid crowds, weddings, parades, traffic, and instead enjoy early morning and late afternoon walks away from the tourists. I did go to Tasty Vin this afternoon and yes there were some weddings, I dropped into the Santa Domingo Basilica and of course ordered my Medium Grilled Fresh Salmon with the weekly wine special.  I think of the alternative...getting in my air-conditioned car and driving 3 to 5 miles in traffic to spend $50 in Scottsdale.  Then I thank God I'm here.

                      Pumped up for nightly Dance Practice

 Did a bit of shopping today, then stopped back to Marito and Moglie for some poached Eggs in Turkish Yogurt with some seasoned oil and Sourdough French bread to soak it all up. Wow!

                                                  So Good

       Nice evening for a walk to Sur y Norte for Chicken Tacos.

 

2 glasses of Cabernet and 3 to die for Tacos...$21.00 with a view.

This afternoon the Oaxaca Learning Center is having a "Thank You" gathering for those of us that support it.  Ice Cream, Music, and a little pep talk from the exceptional students that are picked to live and study there. Tasty Vin has their Saturday Special of fresh Grilled Tuna also for after.

                       I think I counted 3 weddings today.

Last minute prep for the show...putting on his pants on the street.

         I don't see how this mural instills confidence in this Lab?

They made a book to go with their exceptional Bakery and Coffee Shop that specialized in Danish Pastries, great coffee and they grow their own Heritage wheat to make their Breads with!  Something Chef Chris Bianca does in Phoenix also.

First and best Flat White Cafe I've had...excellent with double expresso but I got tired after I drank it.  That is good...less caffeine. 

        Pistachio Pudding/Cake...so good...yes real Whipped Cream

          Zocalo Musician with rendition of Sounds of Silence

                          The Learning School Orchestra

            Doug Long from the Library to record the performance.

Beto warming up the crowd with a 20 minute Spanish/English songs.

   Tasty Vin's Fresh Grilled Tuna Saturday Special for $8 Wine $2.50

          New Boxing Gloves....Let me flag the Taxi with them.

Today I took Gaby to Brunch at Fermentado that moved into Distilerado that is no longer.  They do a menu of food and drink with Fermentation on premise.  Next to our table as well as in the kitchen.  Good probiotic foods.  We were some of the first customers for this special Brunch. The regular menu will be out in a few days. I had Eggs Benedictine but not a real Hollandaise sauce but very good.  Gaby had something quite different with a Chicken Pattie and different sauce which was also very good. We will be back to check out the complete menu when it comes out.

                                         Good Morning Oaxaca!

                          Chicken Pattie with an Eggs

                                            Eggs Benedictine ???

 

Closest I got to a Photo of Gaby and she was "Looking Good"

Next time!

                                        Fermentation Jars

  I agree and ferment some myself at home. Kiefer, Kombucha, Carrots, Cauliflower, Sauerkraut, and Tepache.  Returning home with Gaby, she mentioned "Did you hear the man in the wheelchair died?"

           That could be Jimmy? I've known him for 3 years and look forward to his seasonal visits from Chicago.  Jimmy is a fixture in the neighborhood who engages everyone in conversation and has a group of us that got together in the late mornings for coffee and chat outside while watching the world go by. Bay Area Bill, Tom from Iowa, Jimmy and myself.  Others come and go and whenever I saw him on the street he was always engaging someone in conversation.  David come here, I want you to meet Susan from California, or the couples from the Midwest, and his wife who just returned to Chicago two weeks ago. Everyone knows and likes him. He makes the neighborhood into a friendly fun place.   After 3 days of not seeing him I was getting concerned that he was the person that died but after checking with the desk clerk one evening on the way home, I discovered it was the other guy who is a good friend of Jimmy's.  I emailed him to confirm our lunch date the next day.  He said yes and we met with Bay Bill for a nice lunch at Elfos in Casa Barro.

 

Today I walked to Cafe Local, about  1 1/2 miles to have the Baked Fresh Salmon on Mashed Potatoes, with veggies for dinner.

I saw the Pulled Pork Sandwich and decided to order it and take it home for tomorrow's lunch.  It was great.  My friend Robert and his wife informed me they were moving out of their 3 bedroom 2 and 1/2 baths with roof top and nice location in Jalatlaco.  I went over to see the area and get a feel of living in that Barrio. I enjoyed Cafe at Once in Oaxaca .   After, I met Helen and joined her for a Pizza at Marie Bonita's.  I returned home with an ear of Mexican Corn I bought from a vendor just outside my door.

                  Where we have coffee in the late morning.

            Entrance to possibly my new apartment complex.

                            Valentine's Day coming up!

This corn was so good. They put light Mayo then sprinkle Cheese

The sign advertising is just shined on the sidewalk from the roof.

First bar in Oaxaca I have seen with a swimming pool and an open 

Rooftop...Wombat's 

Jimmy, Bay Area Bill and I enjoyed our lunch adjacent to a parking lot that has Murals on the Wall...a parking lot!

Friday I walked to the pool hall to meet with the "boys" but none showed. School was out that day and every table was full of young teens having fun.  Us old guys can not take the noise level so that's why they didn't show. I walked back home and later called Helen to meet at Norte y Sur for Happy Hour.

Looks like everyone is getting blessed by a visiting Bishop for ?

                                    

                                   Long wait in the SUN

         Friday evenings are for the big Bike Run around Oaxaca

I left late for my walk today.  I was going to Cafe Local to try their Burger's but saw Taj Mahaj and had wanted some Indian food for a long time. I had a delicious Chicken Tiki Marsala with Nan and Rice.

I stopped by the Apartment for Rent and really liked it but it did not have two and a half baths but one and 1/2 so I backed out .  I misunderstood when Bob told me.

Sunday is such a wonderful morning to walk in Oaxaca.  It is empty. I left for breakfast at Pan-Am at 9:15 am.

               A few to catch the morning light at a photo shoot.

           Or to get breakfast...like me? How blessed I am.

Some went to church but not a lot...Nuns selling homemade Eggnog...with alcohol for Easter, as well as Candies, Cookies, Fruit Pies, and religious stuff. 

I bought one of the Pineapple small Pies and a small bottle of eggnog. (Yellow in various size used bottles)

They had Eggs Benedict with vegetables instead of Meat but no more. Also the Hollandaise used to be pretty close to real...not now.

I returned home then late afternoon I had Beet Salad and Paella at Casa Ceila. 

         Ate the Paella. Forgot the photos...mind wanderer.

Monday was a short walk to get out of the house.  Tuesday a long walk to Cafe Local to try their hamburg.

                               Great Corn but not that big.

Erik, my Michigan friend who visited a village for a few days to document Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration then stayed over with me a few days before returning, published a beautiful book of the Celebration in the mountains where he photographed the event. He gifted it to me. Very nice.  Also the Eggnog and Cookies I bought Sunday.

                Berry Matcha Latte and a very good Hamburg with salad.

Helen and I met at 11 am at Conzatti Park for a Folk Music Session. I couldn't hear the singing very well nor the music.  Better if I sat with them but 10-15 musicians...no room.  Fun and then we went to Aquacate for lunch.

Very good Avocado Toast with Tofu and Eggs.  Sandra sent some pictures of her and her daughter while visiting in L.A. prior to arriving in Costa Rica for her SERVAS Conference.