26 - 1 JANUARY OAXACA

 Now that I've crossed the line into 80, I recall Maude from the classic movie Harold and Maude and her take on that. It's all downhill, so why go on? I am not as optimistic with a limited future as I was at 30. Now I spend a lot of time thinking about the past and the memories, with a limited number of people left to share them with. But living off Memories is no living at all...you have to make more memories!

SOLD! ¡VENDIDA!

Congratulations to Yara Ramírez for placing the winning bid on this lovely blue sofa auctioned on Dec. 21 at the annual Bazaar (which, by the way, was a huge success)! We're so happy for you, Yara, and wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

MARGA SHUBART'S 100TH coming up..

 

Sunday, I took a Photowalk, and while passing through vendors' tents set up to attract the onslaught of visitors, I noticed the displays were so well done, and the merchandise was more upscale, catering to the class of visitors this year. 

OAXACA'S FAMOUS GRASSHOPPERS

     

Famous Moles...blends of different spices, nuts, seasonings, and Cacao into a Mole sauce

Ended my walk with dinner of Salad and Fresh Fish at Casa Celias.

Monday morning, I visited Aguacate for Avocado on Toast with eggs and tofu... very good. That evening, I returned to LHEA Bistro for a Mole with Beef and Avocado. 

    The last box with parts for my couch arrived, and the boys came over on short notice to put it together for me.  So happy to finally have my couch. 

 Jennifer, my daughter, took Gavin, who had just returned from playing basketball in Tokyo for a few months, his brother Cordel, and their aunt Lytisha to see Avatar. She sent the photo.

   Lunch at Yuku today

I stopped by Democrats Abroad Happy Hour and had popcorn with Chapalinas... so good, I took some home for my popcorn.

Chapalinas are Grasshoppers

Botus got a new Christmas sweater to keep him warm.  Turtles and Rabbits at the Market.  

The weather was great this Friday, so I went shopping and passed Vince, my neighbor, with Wilbur, the owner of Cafe Elfo, where they were just wrapping up the Philosophical Salon...good turnout. 

This Sunday I returned to Casa Celia and tried the Roast Pork with Poached Pear and Potatoes...very good.

             Another 15th Birthday Celebration

On Monday, most restaurants were closed except LHEA Bistro, so Dinner was great.

Pork Chop Mole and Sweet Potato, followed by my baked Plantain with Pecans and Creme Frache.

Once a year, I try to treat my friend Hector to a Birthday Dinner. We return to our traditional Tres Bistro, where Alfredo, the bartender, takes good care of us.

It was a wonderful evening, and many families were out with their children.  PETA was there, too...adopt a dog?

I needed to exercise, so I headed for Marita & Mogoli Cafe for Poached Eggs in Turkish Yogurt with a Butter/Chile/Garlic sauce and Sourdough Toast. I love it. Later that evening, I went back to Casa Celia for their wonderful Fresh Fish dinner... I couldn't pass up a Carmel Ice Cream cone made by a graduate of Milan Gelato School in Italy.

Friday is Pool Day.  Marc is back in town and met me but none of the boys showed...just us.  He beat me 5 for 5 games! I had dinner back at Casa Celia...Mar y Montana ...Shrimp and Pork/Beef Meatballs.

Marc and his wife Judi joined Maddy and I for afternoon lunch at Gunbaru in San Felipe.  They ate their before but this was our first time.  My Salmon was a tad dry and salty.  It was billed as a Specialty of the House.  I should have stuck with Sushi, but I will return.

I will try the restaurant across the steet also...love Seafood. They called me Kingfish.

My photographer friend Marc Sitkin also has a blog and gave me permission to share his trip to a village market outside of Oaxaca. His photos are much better than mine, and it's been a while since I have been to Zaachila, so I thought you would enjoy this. Click Here

Skye called me from San Carlos Mx. I met Skye in Scottsdale years ago while she was visiting her Son's family. She lives in California and has been following my blog, and wanted to return to Oaxaca for a week before returning to California.  She arrived a few days later and settled in my spare room, then we had dinner at Tres Bistro and wandered the Zocalo.

I enjoyed my usual Salmon while Skye had the Chicken Parmasan.

We had French Toast at LHEA Bistro the next morning.

                           Money beats those stuffed dolls

         Great French Toast if you can find it under all the extras. 

I attended a lecture at the library on Transgenders by a Transman. Very interesting...I have two wonderful Transgrandsons.

Skye treated me to a wonderful dinner at Edo's Japanese restaurant. We met Gordon there.  A Chef who is considering moving to Oaxaca.

All good as usual.

                                       Photowalk today

My friend Marga celebrated her 100th birthday today.  She has been in Oaxaca long before me. I went to wish her well at the library and have a piece of Birthday Cake.  

An original painting, right after the library opened many years ago. Marga is the white-haired lady in the crook of that man's arm. She gave a brief speech: "I've waited 100 years for this day... then we sang Happy Birthday and had some cake."  I practiced pool, then went to the Queen of Tamales for 8 to take home.  Skye met me at the Textile museum, then we took a taxi home.

The next day, I did a photowalk and stopped at another museum that also has some textiles, but the highlight was a really impressive wall mural in an open space of the museum. I encountered another Wedding on the return home.

Oh well...

This morning, I joined a SERVAS.org member who will be staying at my casa when Skye departs.  Ming is a linguist who speaks 5 different languages and has lived in Japan for 15 years, Taiwan, and a few other countries on her travels. She was staying at the restaurant and got breakfast for free in the morning. Nice since the rooms are reasonable and the food is outstanding. She had some Pumpkin Pancakes, and I had a Mexican breakfast. We have arranged her stay, and she hopes to learn Spanish during her time here.

Skye and I had a drink on the rooftop, where I noticed a man building an altar of sorts to honor his girlfriend and perhaps ask her to marry him. It was a surprise evening event, and I didn't stay to see.

Another wedding event that evening at a local restaurant.

Off for a morning walk to Margite and Mogolie for Shaksura ...the best I've ever had.

Concert that evening at a fundraiser for the Oaxaca Learning Center. Students played Chamber music, I donated money and went next door for a Wine and Grasshopper Popcorn.

Forgot to take a photo of the crowd and the music concert...

I met Virginia, who used to live next door to me in La Noria.  I moved into her apartment when she left and lived there for 3-5 years.

We have always stayed in touch, and we had a wonderful evening lunch at Humar, Salma, and Arnud restaurant, with a seafood flair. Forgot the photos BUT walked home after and got a few.

Fantastic dining room but will be better as it warms up.

Got home OK, and this morning I saw Skye off on her return to Santa Monica after a nice week's visit.

I think I will finish this lengthy post and get it off now.

Thanks again to all of you!