24 - 3 MARCH OAXACA

 March is coming in like a Lion.  Today I received a SERVAS members request to stay with me in Oaxaca for 2 days possibly a week.  A nice couple from Brittany France that has been staying in Cuernavaca with SERVAS friends.  It will be an interesting week or two. My Special friend of 15 years arrive also for a week's visit from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Sunday, is my dinner at Casa Celia Day.  I had Slices of Chicken in a wine sauce with a herb seasoning and the Beet Carpaccio. 

 Domino's today with Maddie and I WON. First time in last 4 weeks. She helped me with my Spanish at the Notary where I notarized an amendment to my Family Trust. Sticker shock of $250 to Notarize a Document. We had lunch at Casa de la Chef again.  Fresh Salmon with Greek Salad...wonderful!  

Note, she is in a wheelchair with what I call a Mexican Troll helping. I am now off to pay off the Notary after I stopped at the ATM. Then to the Library where my friend Deke is giving a lecture about the lost trades and professions in Modern Mexico and those involved. 

Deke wanted to photo the woman he featured in his book but she passed away. Sister in Law suggested taking a photo of her husband as they looked alike.

Each of the photographs are of tradesmen and women whose profession is dying out.  I took photos of the projection, so not to good but am buying a reprint of the book when it comes out. The first printing sold right out!

I stopped at Maria Bonita's on the way home for a snack.  Loved there advertising to catch people walking by. This time I photographed the source. NOT Buffalo Wings...just look like them.

My guests arrived yesterday evening. Plane was late then they got a bit lost after being dropped off but finally arrived.  We had some Tamales and Wine before retiring early.  

This morning we woke at 7am for yogurt and granola then I showed them my complex before going to the market.  They wandered around to see the Aqueduct and visited the Santa Domingo Church.

I had a bit more at the Market from one of the small Tienda's that serve food

Monique and Andre are SERVAS members that live in Brittany France and since retirement 8 years ago have been traveling all over the world as SERVAS members.  A great organization that I have been part of since 1989. We are meeting with Deke, who used to live in Brittany, and Deanna who is stopping by Cafe Local, where we will have lunch, on her way to the library for another lecture. Hot in the 90's today!

We stopped at Tres Bistro to say hello to Alfredo but he was off work so we had Andre and Monique's favorite food...Raw Oysters.

                                              Where's the Band?

                                          No Band Necessary

                                           Remember when??

Today Andre and Monique bid goodbye and took a bus to Pueblo San Martin and Octalan for an adventure.  They will be back in Oaxaca on Monday when we will have lunch at Cabuche.

I went to the Market for some Eggs and a soft fruit that after opening you eat it like Vanilla Pudding!

This evening Marjorie arrives. I will take a Taxi to the airport and a Collectivo with Marjorie back.  This morning I went out to shop a bit and pay my Electric bill of $55 for 2 months. That is 3 times what it should be but I use space heaters when it's cold and my condo is open with vents to the outside. Had my Flat White espresso with Avocado Toast and Eggs...very good. Took a Blueberry Cheesecake home to treat Marjorie.

My Daughter Jennifer sent a photo of her cruise trip to the Bahamas. She is in Miami because the connecting flight landed in Baltimore and all the electric went out in the entire airport so she missed the boat in Miami and Southwest said they will reimburse her? So she fed Alligators, got a nice hotel room, shopped and socialized. She is the one on the right.

                                        Great coffee!

                        Tour group dying in the 90% heat

Marjorie arrived Friday. I took Hugo's taxi to the airport got her collectivo passes. She arrived and we were home about 10:30 pm. We sat up until 1:30 then retired. 

       Saturday we had breakfast at the house then took a long walk to the Graphic Arts Museum, Zocalo , Queen of the Tamales and home for to split a Tamale for lunch.  

Women's Day Flag and they meant it. Notice the boarded up walls to protect the buildings from Spray Paint during the Parade later today.

That evening we dined at Casa Celia but failed to take photos! I had Mussels and Fries with Salad and M had the Beet Carpaccio. We watched "Conclave" , a new movie, then slept late Sunday Morning.

Sunday we walked to Chepiche for Breakfast then later that afternoon attended another Jazz Concert at Casa Colonial.

The Women's Day Parade...spray painted everything they could but someone White Washed it all.  This was the scene along the entire route.

Andre and Monique returned from their stay in Octalan, a village not far from Oaxaca de Juarez, and we joined them for lunch at Cabuche. They flew back to visit some more with their friend in Cuernavaca before returning to France.  He is another SERVAS friend that visited them in France and ended up staying for 9 months while attending the University in Brittany. 

    Marjorie and I attended a lecture lunch at the library. It was about Diego Rivera's Murals in Detroit that he did for Ford Motor Company. Excellent.

 

Today we treated ourselves to Danzante Restaurant and I enjoyed some Sea Bass while Marjorie had a Roasted Beet Salad.

A Sacred Leaf with two Grasshoppers...legs removed. They are not bad but with the legs they get stuck in your teeth...these were very good protein.

We visited the Oaxacan Painters Gallery then had late lunch at Quinque, an old favorite.  I had the Chicken and she had the Hamburg but photos came late.

Marjorie's last 3 days was spent on her own.  We had breakfast at Tia Bonita in Jalatlaco the next morning but after my throat was sore and I knew a cold was coming on so laid low at home with my meds while she visited a friend she met a long time ago while visiting Oaxaca.  We did have one more breakfast at AM and she had lunch with her friend while watching a Gay Wedding Parade and a Graduation Parade. I got my massage then visited my doctor and after stopped at the Pharmacy for Meds. 

Doesn't look appetizing but was very good...those are eggs under that Mole sauce.

First Gay Wedding Parade I have heard of in Oaxaca.  Saturday morning Hugo, my taxi driver, took Marjorie to the airport.  Her plane was delayed and not sure if she got her connection in Dallas?

I was feeling better with my Meds and will send this out now for you.  One more this month and I will depart for Holland April 6th for 10 weeks of travel in Europe, then return to Oaxaca via California on June 15th.