26 - 3 MARCH in OAXACA

 I am meeting Robin, a lady Ming, my SERVAS guest, introduced me to, for Tacos near her place on the other side of the mountain near me. I took a taxi but ran into the biggest traffic blockade I have ever experienced in Oaxaca.  Part of the protest to the killing of the cartel leader.  None of the blockades was on fire.  Just blocking off all the entrances and exits to Oaxaca, so traffic went in circles or stayed at a standstill, like my taxi.  After about 20 minutes of going a little more than a block, he announced he was turning in the other direction, and I would have to walk. No problem.

Robin met me at a restaurant she raved about, but it hadn't opened at 2 pm, so we walked to one I had been to before and discovered an upstairs balcony I hadn't known about.  We had a pleasant lunch and a 2-hour conversation.  She treated me! I managed to catch an air-conditioned bus home... 1st time for me, and the automatic coin machine was out of order, so it was free! Nice day.

Breaking News: Helen made it to Rochester, N.Y., without incident!

     Monday, Harley and I headed to the pool hall, and we each won about the same number of games. Fun. We had lunch at the Pachote Market. He had a Burger and I had the Salmon and salad again. All good and reasonably priced.

A Butterfly with a Heart...and a Meter on the Heart.

Stefano and I had midday lunch...(Supper) at Casa Celia and a glass of wine with shared Barcelona Tapas of fresh tomatoes rubbed with garlic into toasted sourdough croutons. He had the Spanish Meatballs and Fresh Saute Shrimp while I had the delicious Beef Bourganion.

Cardinals awaiting Spring in Central N.Y.

I watched a YouTube video about Oaxaca's history and culture that I thought was really accurate and would be of interest to any of you who wished to know more about the State of Oaxaca, Mexico:

https://youtu.be/pZ-xcNLFV7k?si=EMyiz-5R-fyhZmKN

I had a nice lunch today at the rooftop restaurant Marie Bonita's on the Acala...El Pastor Tacos and a nice glass of wine.

Saturday, Deanna joined me for a hike up the mountain to make up for the hike I had cancelled early this week.

 

             Still attached to the Tree Trunk it was carved from.

A little Sunday photo walk while looking for a new place for Breakfast. I found Casa Brunch, Chepiche was a long wait.

Yesterday I returned to a place where they roast the chickens on a spit and sell them whole to take out or serve them with other lunch items. I love the Macaroni Salad with my Chicken. A mile-long protest march ending at the Zocalo slowed me down a bit.

Deek, Halina, Barbara and I finally got together for a farewell lunch. Snowbirds have to go home. We all ordered the same thing...Mix Salad, Pork Loin with Pineapple sauce.

Visited Yuku and tried Juan's Poke Bowl with Salmon...excellent!

Carolyn, my ex neighbor, has a lovely shop nearby.

Today my neighbor Lee told me that one of my favorite restaurants, EDO reopened down the street.  I went shopping and stopped at the liquor store to order some Organic wine from Spain, Chile, and Argentina, along with some Jameson's Irish Whiskey and Bailey's Irish Cream for St. Patrick's Day Private Celebration on my rooftop common area.  No Irish: Beer, parades, music or bars in Oaxaca!

Dinner at EDO!

What a difference a day or two makes with plants in Oaxaca...the shrimp dish photo was 3 tables away.  It looked great so I took a photo from my table. I had a Chef's choice sushi Roll with Salmon dinner and Matcha Ice Cream. The Owner/Chef came to the table and welcomed me back. It was only their 2nd day in the new place. I think it will be ranked the best Japanese restaurant in Oaxaca. The Chef is from Oaxaca and worked years in LA Sushi restaurants and in Japan for 4 years before returning to Oaxaca. Kitaro, and Yuku are also great but all three offer different menus with their own signature items that the other doesn't carry.

St Patrick's Day, a trip to San Jose de Pacifica (a Magic Pueblo in the Clouds at the same elevation as Machu Pitcu coming up in next post.