25 - 10 LATE START IN OCTOBER

 I am starting out this one on No King's Day.  Oaxaca protested:

https://casita-colibri.blog/.../10/18/no-kings-oaxaca-style/

As did the world: Click or cut and paste to see.

https://youtu.be/8w3o6oKxQHI?si=slVGrkjwvxTWJkf6

I was at the Doctor's office for some tests and met Marci on her return from the protest.

I stopped into the Doll Maker's Shop. Eight years ago, I bought a Doll there as a gift for a friend.

The crowds are arriving for the Day of the Dead Celebrations along with the Busksters.

My arrival on the 6th was consumed with shopping and preparing food to restock the apartment. Meanwhile, I ate out.

                                    EDO is just getting started.....

And ate out some more!  Yuku is my favorite.

Left early this morning to shop and have lunch at Aquacate...Avocado toast...good, but hard eggs.

At 6 am, the hired car washer is washing Landlords cars.

Life back in Oaxaca

My good friends John and Carla stayed at my apartment for a short time while looking for a 3-month stay in Oaxaca.  They found it, and I joined them for Mexican Dominos, then had dinner at Tapas y Vino nearby.  Excellent Grilled Fresh Tuna while they had freshly made Pasta dishes.  John has a Chicken Wing from Buffalo around his neck.

BLOCKADES ON ONE WAY SO VEHICLES HAD TO TURN AROUND AND GO AGAINST TRAFFIC TO GET OFF.

Chris and I finally had a nice lunch at Local Cafe on Fiallo. He had the Pork Ribs, and I had the Salmon.  We hadn't seen each other in 4 months.  Enjoyed catching up.

                                                  No Thanks

I shopped for Nuts, Beans, and Seeds at the local Benito Juarez Mercado.

Took Sunday off and watched my Screen Saver on Google TV, editing my photos for the TV.  I have 90,000. Love this frame?

 

My copy of Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait... was bought at the Library sale.

Frida Kahlo's Original Self Portrait, taken at the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, New York.

An Enhancer promoting a Purse.

Lunch with Girvani at Yuku...another nice catch-up with a friend.

Forgot my food photos.

The Seneca Chief, a replica of an Erie Canal Boat from the late 1800s, was built in Buffalo, N.Y., and came out of the Erie Canal Lock, compliments of good friends.

Today I met Maddie for a lunch of fresh-baked salmon and pasta at Red's near the Merced Mercado, where we did a little produce shopping. Did a photo walk. No food photos?!

Artist...Teche, did my Maria Sorina, the Mushroom Saint's painting, and the wall mural as we walked to our entrance to my Casa.

                               Entrance to the Restaurant

        

                      Truck and Bags are Full...do not waste a trip.

I walked over three miles today to get my two new caps embroidered with... You guessed it... "OAXACA".  The two I had left were getting old, but I couldn't part with them after over 10 years!  I had lunch across the way while they did the job then picked them up after.

                       

                         Mexican Hot Chocolate made with water.

Nice counter, all homemade, including the Utilitarian Chairs with foot rests. Nice Ham and Cheese sandwich and salad.

I had a battery of tests done, received the results, and had them reviewed by my Doctor, Nelly, before forwarding them to my urologist in Phoenix. She spotted an increase in some level related to my gall bladder and liver, so she sent me to the hospital for a sonogram.  After I left, I stopped by Santa Sabor to meet my friend Steve for lunch and showed him photos of a New England Fall.  He never witnessed the changing of leaf colors at 87 years old. Another Steve, with whom I play pool, showed up with his wife, newly arrived from their visit back in Calgary. We all had a pleasant visit, and Steve loved the New England countryside in the Fall.

I had a Fruit and Veggie Salad with Chicken Stuffed with Ham and Cheese in a Pepper sauce with rice.  Steve had the Soup, the same Entree with Grilled Plantain for dessert.  All for $5 a lunch.

Aude showed up this morning to hang my laundry, clean the house, and fold everything before leaving.  The Madamsile spoils me.  

     I went to the hospital for a Sonagram...order from my Dr Nelly Avarado because one of my tests showed a higher level of something.  1st hospital asked for my SSN, but it was missing a digit.  Oh, I don't have a Mx SSN.  Oh... well, you have to go to Hospital Civil.  So taxied to Reforma and they assigned me a interpreter to sort me out.  When I arrived, the department head said I had to make an appointment.  OK, can I make one for today?  You just did...go sit in line.  Twenty minutes later, I had the Sonagram, and 5 minutes later, I got the photos of it, along with an itemized description of my Pancreas, Gall Bladder, aorta, Liver, etc., for my doctor.  $?  Nada. Free. Took the bus just outside the hospital to my front door.

I would have had to make an appointment in the States a few days in advance, wait in the office, then wait a few more days for the results.  Co-Pay?

   Dinner that evening at Yuku with Fried Tempura Veggies and Shrimp.  Delicious.

 The following morning, I took a long walk and ended up having breakfast at Belanc Bakery.  Shaksura. Poached Eggs in a mildly spiced Tomato and Pepper sauce with Lebanese cheese.

The Church installed wood protectors to prevent graffiti.  It worked.

Maddie wanted to join me for Paella today and meet at Tasty Vin in Jalaltco.  I arrived a bit early, so I took photos, but after Maddie showed, we had an appetizer, and I forgot to take photos of the Paella — it was quite disappointing.

                                         

                                      Motorized Dinasores

                                       600-year-old Trees

 

Maddie beat me in Dominoes this morning. We tried a new place for lunch.  Cafe Elfo had good hamburgers, but we opted for the salads, which were great.

Ian, who I hadn't seen in 6 months, parked his car at my place and we enjoyed lunch at EDO nearby. Again forgot food photos.

                                                Library Altar

I attended a Memorial Service for those Library members who have passed away since last season.  I knew one well, Jan Mareno, and was acquainted with a couple of others that I've had coffee and conversation with.   Did a photo walk after.

Today was our 11am Philosophical Discussion about Death, monitored by Vince, my friend and neighbor. Good crowd and great conversation focusing on Reminicences. I took another Photo walk after.

Many independent women offer their talents to paint your face as a skeleton. They are everywhere.

That evening, I attended a 1998 movie titled Muerta de Dias, set in Teotitlan, a Zapotec village known for its weaving.

After the movie, I ate at a new Mexican Restaurant that shares its kitchen with EDO, the Japanese Restaurant I enjoy so much. The owner is running two different menus out of one kitchen.  I believe he is a Mexican Chef from Oaxaca who trained to learn Japanese Cuisine and is qualified. My Taco with the best Mole I ever tasted was excellent, as was the Fish with Wild Rice and Fruit.

Last night was the Grand Muerta de Dia Parade.  I stopped at Yuku for a snack, and when I arrived an hour after it started, it had not yet arrived from its start a mile away.  The crowds had been waiting for over 2 hours, and over 130,000 people had come to Oaxaca to see it and enjoy the week.  I went home. I don't remember it being at night last year.

 

The festivities go on for a few more days, and I will include any photos in November's blog.  Thank you!