Author: David Taylor

Watch Full Episodes Online of In Defense of Food on PBS | Full Episode   THIS IS A MUST SEE FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

          Sunday was a relaxing day sitting around while my landlord installed some shelves in my bathroom for me. He came at 11 am and left at 3:30 pm….??? Did not get the job done. He only had one large size bit which did not match the screws and anchors that came with the shelves to mount on the wall so used his own to large anchors …then the screws wouldn’t hold and didn’t support the shelve.  He pounded and mashed the plastic anchors until the screws fit but 6 months from now they won’t hold.  He just needed a smaller bit and now has to come back in the morning to do the last shelve!  This is Mexico.

     I was starved so left for Tres Bistro in the Zocalo to eat and stopped on the way to pick up some leaf tea and fresh Stevia for my kitchen.  Everyone was still on vacation and were out listening to the live bands and watching the dance entertainment.  Everything is free and quality entertainment

.

    I went to the bar to watch the Arizona Cardinal chalk up one more win toward the Super Bowl against Green Bay and had a nice Tuna Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Yams.

 I paid the bill and was leaving when Saul arrived.  He is a waiter that I met last year and we became friends.  Neither of us spoke the others language but now I speak a little more Spanish and he speaks more English than last I saw him.  It felt good to know people where ever you go.  In Phoenix…I only know the Bartenders at my Happy Hour favorites and the dealers at the Casino.

    It was around 11am Monday and the landlord had not returned to install the last shelve.  I went over and told him to forget it.

Went shopping then met Hector for dinner.  Hector is the only Mexican friend I have here.  He worked for El Presidente Hotel chain in Mexico and also 7 years in the states.  He is a professor that teaches Management at the University here.  It was our first get together since I returned.  He had taken advantage of Christmas break and been to the beach. We had a nice dinner at Cabouche and agreed to get together after the new years.  I might go to the beach myself after Marjorie leaves.
    Tuesday I played Dominos with Richard, Beth and another friend Bob.  We played most of the afternoon and had lunch at the hotel.  I walked over to the library to join Marjorie for a lecture by my friend Bill Pumphreys.  He spent 3 weeks in Peru this summer and did a beautiful slide presentation of his trip with his family.
      We stopped to get a bite to eat .

When I returned, the maid had cleaned the condo and the landlord had new internet high speed (for here) connections installed that day.  Wow…I was happy.
    Today I’m off to San Felipe for an afternoon playing Fandango…the card game similar to Canasta.

       Christmas Day I finished putting together my “Pot Luck” contribution to the afternoon dinner at the Library and caught a taxi there.

 It was already set up nicely and people were laying claim to tables for their group.  I headed over to the cashier to purchase drink ticket then cashed one in and put my wine down where I wanted to sit and headed for the appetizer table for some Deviled eggs, Cheese and Crackers, Asparagus wrapped with Serrano Ham, and some Croutons with Tomato Jam.

     Marjorie and Richard joined me and another retired ExPat from NYC..Peter.  A ribbon cutting Ceremony was preformed for the opening of the roof top.

 Two members had been laboring the last few months to complete the first renovation of the Roof to open it for more events…Yoga, InterCambios, etc.  More tables on the roof were soon filled up and people were notified to begin the Buffet.  Tables were laden with Lots of different salads, vegetables, Turkey, Ham, Dressing, etc.

     A Dessert table was opened later…that was jammed packed with Cakes, Puddings, Pies, etc.
It was a nice dinner that finished on the roof with complimentary Mezcal Margaritas!!! I made a new friend from Germany that is visiting for a few months.

NAME TAGS: SIMON (David) & GARFUNKEL (Veronika)

Spencer, one of the volunteers played some nice guitar music

then around 5 pm we caught a taxi home for an early bedtime.
     Beth, a friend from last year, arrived in town the next day for a week so we accepted an invitation to join her and Richard for dinner at the The Catedral , a very nice upscale restaurant, at 7pm.  On the way there we encountered huge crowds at the Zocalo for a concert that I was unaware of….a big Concert.

 Popular Singer Performing We paused to catch the opening act then hurried to join our friends.

   

Excellent Salmon with Mussels

Shrimp Tacos

Roast Pork

Chocolate..Chocolate and Chocolate

The meal was so fantastic we had to have dessert.  We paid the bill then headed back through the Zocalo for a bit more music before returning home.Headliner Playing

     So what is FANDANGO?  Well in between all the festivities, I was invited to join a small group of Card played to learn this game.  It is a lot like Canasta, which I’ve never played, so I thought it good to learn something new.  A small group of us met at the library and took the bus to Colonial Reforma to meet at Chuck’s home .  Chuck, a retired lawyer from Louisiana hosted this week’s card game.  Three hours later I returned home with a “basic” knowledge of Fandango, thanks to Bill who sat out the game to coach me through the afternoon.  It was fun and I’m set for another game coming up in a few days.

      Christmas Eve Day…began with a Wedding…

                                                            Wedding Celebration
                                                           click to play

Click for Tall Santas

           The big event Christmas Eve was processions leaving the Churches in different areas throughout the city at different times and culminating at the Zocalo between 8 pm and 10 pm where everyone gathered to watch them go by…families, tourists, young and old.  They all gathered early to assure a seat at one of the restaurants where they had dinner and drinks until ….I left around 11 pm and understand people celebrate until the wee hours of the morning.

             

  The Radish Festival is December 23rd each year at the Zocalo and is a competition for the best Radish Carving as well as Dried Creations and a couple other categories but the big $$$ goes to the first prize Radish Carving.  These radishes are LARGE and small grown for long time with Miracle
Grow I think?  Tables for each contestant are placed side by side surrounding the Zocalo with Ramps built around that for the public to walk on, take photos and view the displays…the line goes for a serpentine mile or more with a wait up to a hour or more to get on the ramp.

Bands Play

 

Clowns Entertain…just after this picture…she picked me out of the crowd saying something is Spanish that caused a lot of laughter….???

This event was started in the late 1800’s by Monks as part of a fund raiser for their parish in Colonia La Noria neighborhood of Oaxaca and developed into this world class tourist attraction every year.

These are just a few of the the 80 plus displays.

    Today I bussed to Walmart to buy a Rechargeable Water Pic , and food for my Pot Luck contribution for the Christmas Dinner at the Library. One hour out, one there, one back. It was a beautiful day but No Walnuts for my salad and nut Granola and No Water Pic.

    Richard moved into Mariposa B & B so wanted to give me his “Kitchen” stuff as he was leaving in a week for Columbia.  He was checked into the same room I stayed in when I arrived in Oaxaca 4 years ago.  I took my bag of “stuff” and we headed for the Santa Domingo Plaza roof top Happy Hour.  After a Mango Margarita…best I’d ever had…and a glass of wine with a meat platter to share…we headed for last call at Tapas y Vino for one more wine.  It is near my bus stop. I got back home with my “stuff” and a leftover meat platter.

    My maid Adelina stopped by to see if 11 am was OK to clean house tomorrow. This is a rough life!  Tomorrow I’m supposed to travel to a village for a music “jam” session.  I also have to start preparing food for the Pot luck but it is the 21st now.  23rd is the Radish Festival. 24th is a big deal   up until Midnight Mass…I will take my camera.

Across from Merced Market

Organic Pachote Market Breakfast

     I returned to the Organic Market while Adelina cleaned.  I ate Farm Fresh Eggs and Vegetables then visited the library and just relaxed before returning.  Richard wants to return for Mango Margaritas…how can I refuse.  Tomorrow is the Radish Festival.

     I left to meet Richard but stopped at the San Pablo Center to take some photos and then up the Acala to have a Mango Margarita.

Nativity

Pinatas

Eat your Vegetables

 Richard and I went to the Zocalo to watch the progress as they were building the Platforms for the people to see the Radish Sculptures on display.

On the way home I stopped at what looked like a block party but I think was a wedding with the brides whole community bussed in from the country…very festive.

Fernando and Me

Radish Ramps in Background

Wedding Band

     My intercambio with Marjorie fell apart after we arrived.  A Mexican lady directs two English speakers to sit with two Spanish speakers.  To do this, she picks them out of the crowd.  Marjorie had a friend Mariposita who was sat with Marjorie but then another English speaker was chosen to join them.  Not speaking good Spanish I didn’t know how to tell the lady that I wanted to be that person. Marjorie knows I can’t hear well so an other person may be someone I can’t hear.  Not a good start to learn a language …so I left for Home Depot instead.

      I had to walk from the bus stop and needed a rest from the leg cramps.  It was a fantastic Home Depot and I got everything I wanted including a new friend Jaime.  He worked in Phoenix for 2 years and introduced me to his wife and daughter. He wants to open a business here teaching English to Mexicans.  His father lives here and has a restaurant in the La Noria Mercado not far from where I live.  When he introduced me to his wife, he told her I was a friend of Joe Arpaio’s.

      The taxi that drove me home had a flash drive in his radio playing Spanish Guitar music.  I managed to communicate to the driver in Mexican.  We talked about different Spanish Guitarist and his favorites and mine. He helped me unload my “stuff” and was very friendly.

      Dinner time came and Marjorie and I went to Sol y Luna to meet Richard and Abi for dinner and entertainment.Great Jazz Band

 A very good jazz band were playing that evening and Richard had made reservations for us a week ago.  We shared a Pizza for starters then had dinner.  Just as we were finishing, the band started playing.  A Black lady from Miami sat behind me by herself. She introduced herself as Judith, a tourist here for a couple of weeks.  A few Mezcals later we parted for home.

        An economics professor at Ottawa University in Canada who is Croatian and was a soldier in Tito’s army when Yugoslavia existed, gave a very good lecture about the fall of the Balkans after Tito died.  The world bank lent them money with stipulations, like they did in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc.  They defaulted, unemployment skyrocketed, the economy went down and now it’s a mess.  It was interesting and he blamed the US policy.  Bill Clinton was going to take care of it but waited 4 years to act and by that time wars broke out between Muslim factions and Greek Orthodox. Thousands died, raped, and tortured while Europe and the US watched. Our lecturer caused some angst among the US “tourists” that were attending the lecture.

      Marjorie showed up so after we went to dinner at Biznaga’s .  First time I’d been to my favorite restaurant since I arrived.  We had a nice meal then went home.

Chicken..

Vegetable Stuff Soup

Shrimp Mole

Tuna Steak with Avocado y Green Beans

 She had to be at school Wednesday at 7 am so went right to her room and I stayed up too late playing poker.
      Today I did nothing but go to the library and read a bit, have lunch at Olivo’s Gastronomic Pub,

Gazpacho and Stuff

then picked up a Rotisserie Chicken on the way home.  It was so good and I cooked the bones for another batch of Lentil soup.  I’m watching Transparent, the Amazon series in it’s third season.
      Thursday is Pool Hall day again so will retire now.
       I choose to do nothing today…I skipped pool and hung out at the library and a nice organic restaurant where I ate a good salad before returning home…to do more nothing.

Cottage Cheese , Walnuts, Apples , Pineapple, Grapefruit on Romaine

      Friday…another do nothing day…my blood pressure drops when I drink beet juice and I think I had too much for breakfast…put me back in bed with 99/55 BP.  I waited for the plumber to fix the sink but by noon I called the landlady to be informed that he couldn’t make it and will be here Monday.  I walked to the local Organic Market and found fresh Coconut Oil…but now I have a pint that Marjorie brought me from Trader Joe’s so had a nice lunch

Chicken Breast Stuffed with Cucumber, Carrots and Goat Cheese on a bed of Fettuccini Alfredo ringed by Fresh fruits and Shredded Carrots and Sprouts….with a Lemon Creme Chiffinode

and returned home to take another nap.  3:30 I awoke and took the bus to the Llano Park Market but still could not find Walnuts for my Pot Luck Christmas Salad. I returned home some fruit.  Marjorie arrived from her all day hike at the same time.

Corner of the Zocalo at Night

     I decided today that I was taking myself off of Statin drugs for Cholesterol.  Over 25 years and yes my cholesterol is excellent but I’m fatigued, muscle cramps, joint pain…etc.
   

     Marjorie arrives tonight from Arizona, so I will meet her at the airport.  She is packing Coconut Oil for me…something I hadn’t been able to readily buy.  She stayed in this unit last year and will take the back room for her month long stay while practicing her Spanish and hopefully teaching  the children in the villages.

Male

Female

    I went down to Nuevo Mondito Cafe just down the street while my maid Adelina cleaned house. How convenient. Marjorie arrived late so saved the unpacking for the next day.

Grew Hair since my last Photo

     Richard emailed me for lunch.  He is volunteering at the Library Fund Raising Rummage Sale.  I want to go to the Sunday Market in Col Reforma then maybe stop in to see if there are any deals.
      Eric and Alice returned from their excursion into the hinterland for a big Celebration and the Plume dance.   The dancers are picked by the Village for 3 years to do the Ceremonial Dance.  It is hard on them but last night was the end of their obligation so there was a huge party for them. Eric returned to Michigan today and will return next year.

Competing Japanese Yard Sale

     We decided to attend the library sale but didn’t buy anything except some DVD’s Movies. Had breakfast nearby and walked to a Market I have never been to because it’s uphill in the richer section of Oaxaca.  Turned out that Sunday they don’t have the Market so back to the library.  Richard changed his mind about lunch and we were full so all returned home for the day.

     Monday I played pool again with the “boys”.  I think I’m getting better but seldom winning at this point.  I met Marjorie at the library after and we took the bus to Walmart to get some food in the house for the week. A Taxi carted us and the groceries home.

      We walked to Biznaga for an early dinner and returned for an early night.
       Every morning I get up, Marjorie is out to the library or children’s school to help out.  It is like she isn’t here.  It is Tuesday and I have the day free.  I’m attending a lecture on Yugoslavia tonight at the library.

    Every Thursday at 11 am a small group of 6 or so Gringo meet at the Pool Hall close to the center of town for 2-3 hours of pool.

 I attended my first today but not my last.  I haven’t played in years and it showed but by the end I was getting back the touch.

View from the Pool Hall

    That evening I wandered around looking for a place to eat and ended back at Cabouche for their Daily Special…I did get a photo of the Salad but forgot the entree.

Nopal (Cactus Pods) Salad

 It was all good and I made a reservation for Richard and I tomorrow at 9pm.  We will go to the Candela Dance Hall after to meet with Eric, his wife and their dance instructor.
     Visited the market today but so packed with Lady of Guadalupe goings on .  A Carnival was in Llano Park along with the Market, lots of traffic, families, children, so I had a Tuna Salad for lunch at the Health food restaurant and took a taxi home for the day.

Trying to stay healthy!

     Richard and I met at Cabuche around 9pm for dinner. We chose the same Sopas…Soup but he ordered it and we got another soup with Shrimp but not the Corn Chowder…best in the world.  The Shrimp Soup was good…then the Chicken stuffed with a side of Rice…I chose the Frijoles. We had to have dessert with Anise Liqueur. I had a Rice Pudding and I don’t remember what Richard had except it looked good.

            Richard offered me some of my herb I had donated to the cause…so one hit.  Well we arrived in perfect shape for this place.  The “Bouncer” took 50 pesos to enter.  Eric and Alice were waiting to join them at the table.  It was loud.  80 years ago, when this place opened, top acoustic bands played to a Dance Hall designed for acoustic…the concrete and stone walls echoed the amplification too intense to enjoy.      Eric and his wife dancing to the live band. An acoustic band with talent and less flash would pack the place and make it and international stop for hispanic and latino dancers from the Caribbean, Brazil, Cuba.Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti , Trinidad, etc. Candela could be thee premier night club of Oaxaca.          We all bid goodbye and returned exhausted.