Author: David Taylor

       There are four days before departure to Mexico City and very little going on in Oaxaca…very rare.   The weather is excellent for just lounging around on the patio and reading or catching some sun.   Today we will plan our two days in Mexico City.

         The following day, we had lunch at La Cuisine.  It was full so we shared a table with Nayibe, a Oaxacan with Iraqi parents.  She spoke fluent English, French, and Spanish.  Our meal was good but not exceptional…except the Tomato Soup and the Chocolate Pie! I would go back for a second sampling.

      I was going to show Chris the Church Benito Juarez, past President of Mexico from Oaxaca,  was married “at” not in because he didn’t believe in Catholicism but loved his Catholic wife so married on the doorstep. He was also the shortest President in the history of the world and an indiginous decendent of an ancient civilization.
       Just as we approached , a band started and out came a huge crowd holding flowers and formed a parade behind a hearse to the cemetery.

 The band followed…reminded me of New  Orleans…happy music.

         Wednesday was the Danzon weekly get together at Almeda Park.

         We arrived at 12:30 for the start and stayed for some pictures and just to enjoy the music and dancing.  This came to Mexico from Cuba and is very popular.  Anyone can join in as they do in Oaxaca as well as Mexico City where Paul McCartney of Beatles fame once joined in.
     We wandered over to the Cathedral to see the Pipe Organ there and a Mass was taking place.PIPE ORGAN VIDEO

     Thursday we had a mid afternoon lunch at Biznaga.

Chris had the Suave Chicken Soup with “Stuff” and I the Quiche. She had the Grilled Fresh Salmon with Pasta…took most home for snack. Oh…I almost forgot the best part.

  One of the owners bid us goodbye

 That evening we had dinner at  Expendido Traditional, a rather new very attractive restaurant that specializes in Local recipes and Mezcal.

 The place was lovely and the seat were the most comfortable I’d ever sat in at a restaurant or anywhere.  Very Ergonomic. My pork ribs were OK and her Chicken was very good…but the only exceptional part was the presentation.
      Our last day before Mexico City we went to the local market around the corner where I purchased some Marigold flowers for a “Heart Healthy” Tea.

 I overpaid but got a photo.  We stuck around Yagul, my condo, and just enjoyed a perfect day before taking a walk downtown while stopping back at Expendido Traditional to have a beer. The real reason we stopped was that I had to use the bathroom bad.  It had been a problem all day due to the food I think I had there the night before. We went to Vino and Tapas for a Wine and some Cambert Tapas that I knew I couldn’t get sick on.  We were going to stop again for some great Empenada’s at El Sol and La Luna but made a wrong turn to headed home and turned in early for the 7am Taxi to the airport and Mexico City.

        Helen, Lisa, Chris and I were invited to Halina’s place about 15 minute walk from our Los Nogales.

OK WE WILL HAVE TWO OF THOSE AND TWO OF THOSE AND TWO OF THOSE….

 We arrived after Lisa suggested we stop at Quincy Bakery for a cake. Helen and Lisa picked out four or five assorted gourmet pastries to share after lunch.

VIEW FROM THE ROOF

      Halina showed us around her room, shared kitchen, beautiful roof-top terrace and the open patio on the ground level where we shared a nice lunch.  Halina brought out a sardine salad and guacamole with crackers to nibble on along with a nice homemade vegetable soup.  We visited for a couple hours then around 4 pm returned home.
     Chris and I were to join Richard and Beth at Mike’s house around 6 pm for Cocktails prior to have dinner at 7:30 at Dazanante’s Restaurant on the Alcala.
On our way to Mike’s we encountered Beth and Richard who were so engrossed in conversation, they had walked right by Mike’s place.  All four of us were greeted and treated by Mike at his beautiful, large apartment.  We exchanged backgrounds on  growing up and our lives before heading out for dinner.

COMPLETE WITH FIREWORKS

       Our table was waiting when we arrived.  Saturday night brought out a crowd. We ordered Wine and our dinners.  Dazanantes is noted for excellent gourmet food and small portions.  We left after dessert and returned home.

       Sunday morning Chris and I took the Bus a block a way to Talacalula for the Sunday Market.  It is about 45 minutes out of town and a huge market where indigenous people from surrounding villages come to sell and buy.  We walked around for about two hours and after Chris bought some clothes for herself we hopped a “Collectivo” back into Oaxaca.  The Taxi dropped us right where we left from and we walked home.

       That evening we visited the Zocalo and had dinner at Grandma’s  La Casa de la Abuela. We then had an after dinner drink at Gozoba’s roof top near by before retiring early.

GRANDMA AND CLAN

MIXED GRILL

CHICKEN MOLE

       6 pm we were at Casa Oaxaca having Seviche when Halina showed up to join us for Mezcalini’s then dinner at Viajo Lira.

SEVICHE IN GREEN PEPPER WITH MANGO AND FRUIT COULIS

MEZCALINI’S AT CASA OAXACA

PIZZA AT VIAJO LIRA

 We got home around 8 pm.

        We invited Lisa, our neighbor from Oakland, to join us for dinner.  She said she would meet us and while we were waiting for her arrival, Halina from Michigan walked by.  I ran out and invited her in to join us.  Lisa showed up and we enjoyed a lovely dinner together.

        Thursday we visited the Oaxaca History Museum with treasures from the Tombs of different Temples around Oaxaca as well as Artifacts dating back over 3000 years BC…up to Spain’s Conquest , the Mexican Revolution and Early 20th Century. MUSEO DE LAS CULTURAS DE OAXACA AT SANTO DOMINGO

     We stopped at my favorite bakery

to get some pastries for Breakfast and after a cup of coffee we met Hector, my friend and our guide.  He graciously offered to assist Chris in finding ancient music of Mexico for her Grandson in Arizona that is a musician and works with Sound Mixing Ancient with New Music.  I never knew what Hector did other than teach.  He is a Professor at a local 4 year University teaching Hotel and Restaurant Management.  We discovered we had a lot in common with me being in the Hotel Restaurant “Hospitality” business all my life.
      It didn’t take long before Chris had her albums then he helped me find one I had been looking for that was recommended to me.  Mexican Female Pop artist Lupita d’ Alesso.
       We all had a great dinner at Tres Bistro again.  My French Connection Hamburg (lamb,beef, and pork) with Fries was OK.

 Chris had a delicious Mahi-Mahi on Risotto with Corn in a Creme Sauce with Oranges.

 Hector had 3 excellent fish Tacos.

    We went separate directions home.
      Friday we stayed in while the handyman repaired the toilet and replaced an electrical switch…then had Comida..4 course lunch…at Isabelle’s near the Library. We visited the Friday Market in Llano Park so Chris could shop a bit and I could watch the world go by. She got a skirt…I got some more Incense. More expensive than my Pot!
     The PBS Documentary on the Mexican Revolution now had a waiting list and they were scrambling for chairs when we arrived.  We hadn’t signed up so instead, stopped for Rotisserie Chicken and Macaroni Salad and bussed home for dinner.                          

       We went shopping, drop laundry, fresh juice and visit to Zocalo.  Then we had lunch at Nuevo Mundo, walked around to ATM, pharmacy, bus home for a break. It was Mexican Independence Day.

      That evening we had dinner at Tres Bistro and saw Saul the Host.  After a wonderful dinner of Salmon we were stopped by a Corporate Boss wanting to know how everything was?  He grew up in Oaxaca, his parents lived here and he was an investor in Tres Bistro.  He explained that for the last 9 months the teachers, protesters and squatters have taken over the Zocalo and their business has gone down so much that they are losing money.

He was there to see if it had to do with the operation of the restaurant.  I assured him it wasn’t.
     There was a concert that evening along with a brief play in Spanish near the Santo Domingo church.

 We got bored so stopped into the Casa Oaxaca for Mescalini’s.  Like a Martini but made with Mescal.

Finally we returned home, watched the Blue Bloods and retired.
     Tuesday we stopped at the Opera House after breakfast for a tour scheduled at Noon.

 It was all in Spanish so I didn’t get much out of it except photos of an Opera Poster exhibit and got back stage as well as the top floor.

 This I missed on the first tour over a year ago.
     Tour of the two Main Markets in the Historical Center then home.

      Coming through the Zocalo, I spotted Darcy, one of my first Oaxacan friends from Canada that lives here permanently for over 7 years.

We shared  a pitcher  of beer before returning for Siesta.
      A lecture at the library by Bill Humphrey’s was being held at 5 pm.  It was more a slide show of his last 12 years in Oaxaca…entitled..”Why I Love Oaxaca” .  We enjoyed it then headed for Quinque for dinner.

 During dinner, a procession heading for the church passed by.  After dinner we encountered them coming out of the church with a band playing Mexican music and young and old dancing.Dia de Candelaria Celebration   Day of the Candles .  We stopped at the Convent to take some pictures.  Full moon tonight.

       Wednesday was a trip to Monte Alban, the restored ruins of the Zapotec people located on top of the Mountain overlooking Oaxaca.

 Returning from that, we spotted Darcy so shared another picture of beer.
      That evening we decided to stay close to home and have dinner at El Nimbus near by.
   

      Friday was our 11 am Domino game at the Antigua Hotel.

MIKE, HIS HEAD DOWN IN SHAME

DAVID..GLOATING BEFORE HIS MAJOR DEFEAT

 We had five players and a good time but I suffered a humiliating defeat with one bad game where I started out with nothing to play for almost 10 consecutive hands.  Racked up almost 250 points against me and took next to last place.  It was the longest and perhaps the most enjoyable game I played yet.

PROTESTERS..ACTUALLY PROTESTING..BLOCKING THE STREET TRAFFIC

      I went directly home for a quick dinner and early to bed for trip to Mexico City in the morning.  6:30 am I awoke to catch my taxi at 7am…WITHOUT AN ALARM.  Taxi was waiting when I stepped out the gate and I was checked into the airport and having breakfast at 7:45.

 My plane to Mexico City was like riding first class.  Inter jet Airlines is excellent in my book.
     I arrived around 10:30 for a 4 and a half hour wait for Chris to arrive from Phoenix on US Air.

 By 2:30 I noted US Air listed time of arrival at 2:40…25 minutes early!  Great…at 2:50…the listing disappeared for the board.  At 3:10 there was still no listing and I was beginning to think the plane just disappeared…a common occurrence lately.  I finally went to information and they informed me the plane had been delayed on takeoff for over an hour and should arrive around 3:40.  Three forty and the plane was listed back on the board at ON TIME but by 4 pm in still had not landed.  Four ten and the plane had landed so I waited at the E 1 gate for Chris to depart.  Another plane from Peru had landed 10 minutes before and people were coming out of E  1 with there bags.  I figured she would be also in about 10 minutes.  No one was coming out after the last of the Peru flight so I realized she may have exited E 2 or 3 or 4…which was way down the hall.  Rushing there I noted people with US Airway tags on there bags hailing taxis.  I left instructions with Chris in case I couldn’t meet her.  She was to take a taxi to the hotel.  I asked the Taxi controllers but none had seen her.  Time was getting on and she had not appeared at any of the E gates.  I was in a  panic when way down the hall I spotted her coming my way.  She was also starting to panic.
       I had the taxi fare paid and a ticket to the hotel so we headed out and checked in to the EL Principale Hotel on Bolivar Calle in the center of Mexico City.  We freshened up and went to the Downtown Hotel for dinner at the Azul Condesa.

FRIED SHRIMP ON FERMENTED CABBAGE…SO GOOD

TURKEY LEG IN ORANGE SAUCE…WITH ONE OF MY SHRIMP

         This was a classy Hotel with a Hostel in the back .  I had stayed at the Hostel  but at the time couldn’t afford the restaurant in the front.  There was an hour wait so we got our name in and headed for the Zocalo and around the block before returning to be seated. Chris had her fortune told by a bird before we ordered.

YOU WILL EAT A REALLY GOOD DESSERT WITH A MILLION CALORIES

There was a visiting Guest Chef with a Special Menu as well as the regular menu.  We ordered a bottle of wine and something off both menus.  The appetizer was a Cochichita Pibel on Tostadas.  I had a Fried Shrimp dinner on shredded pickled cabbage and Chris had a stuffed Turkey leg with an Orange sauce.  We had desserts and after dinner Liquor 43 and Grand Marnier with Cappuccinos before leaving.  Very good.

CHOCOLATE VOLCANO WITH GORGONZOLA ICE CREAM!!

SOMETHING WITH PLUM SAUCE THAT WAS GOOD

          It was dark but we found our way to our hotel but just before we arrived at the front door, Chris tripped over a pipe sticking out of the sidewalk, (a common thing) and as she started down to the ground, I was trying to hold her and soften to fall, when I went down with her.  She cut herself on the pipe and we both hit hard and were in pain for a day or two.  Aside from that we headed out the next morning for breakfast.
         Sandborn’s, a Mexican Corporate institution has a nice restaurant in the Blue Tile building.  It is on the main 16 of November Calle and the whole building is very nice three story ornate edifice covered with beautiful ceramic, decorative blue tiles.

         We went to the Belle Artes Palacio and got tickets for an Opera February 15th , the day before she returns to Phoenix.  We returned to pick up our bags and hop are taxi to the airport for Oaxaca.
          When we arrived at Los Nogales, my condo complex, by taxi from the airport,  Lisa my friend had arrived by bus from Mexico City just after we did. We all unpacked then took a taxi to the Victoria Hotel for the Super Bowl with friends.
It was a nice time,  a nice victory for the Patriots, and nice to see Phoenix on TV.
Tomorrow, Mexican Independence Day, we will try a plan Chris’s stay.

VIEW FROM THE VICTORIA HOTEL

CHRIS AND LISA

VIEW AT NIGHT FROM THE VICTORIA HOTEL

       It was nice to share a Happy Hour with my friend Halina.  We met last year when Kay, another Oaxacan friend introduced us.  

     I retired early so I would be fresh for my day’s excursion with a group from the library to Zaachila and Cuilpan Villages to explore an archaeological site and a convent built in 1525.
       Helen was doing the tour also and we arrived at 9 am only to discover it didn’t leave until 10 am…a misprint in the Oaxacan Calendar.  I meandered around the park for a while, then at 10 am we boarded the bus and headed for Zaachila.

Our leader gave a brief speech about the site where two graves of Kings were uncovered.

SACRED MOUND

In Mexico, all artifacts go to the National Archives in Mexico City so we only saw photos of the treasures.  

EXCAVATED MOUND AND TWO GRAVESITES

Then we explored the small site and got to go into the tombs.  There are other sites nearby but are considered sacred so they don’t allow excavation of those.
        A short ride and we arrived at the Convent in Cuilpan. Our leader gave us another brief talk before taking us on the tour.

 He actually has his office in the convent where at lot of the artifacts at all the digs in Oaxaca are brought.

Thousands of shards of pottery alone.  Each one has to be cataloged, measured , tested then filed…a 4-5 day process for one shard.  We saw cases and cases just in one room.  He said most of all the rooms that the monks lived in were storage for these artifacts.

      Sunday after the Israeli Brunch I returned home to play on the computer.  That evening Helen and I decided to go back to El  Nimbus, the recently opened restaurant around the corner.
      It was quite busy when we arrived so we sat at the only open table that was set for 6 people.  Shortly after Ricardo, our waiter and son of the owner, delivered our wine just as a couple from California joined us.  They resided in the hills around La Paz , Baja in the winter and owned 6 local newspapers in Modesto California.  They were traveling around Mexico accumulating interesting tidbits to publish in the papers.

            While we were exchanging cards and information, fireworks went off in front, then a band, then a street long procession of people carrying Huge Mantles, candles, following a float with flowers and candles on it….then another band. It was all very exciting as we rushed out the door to TRY and take some photos.

      When it passed we returned, finished our Pizza and returned home.

    Today I am meeting Richard at his Doctor’s office.  We will have lunch and discuss our options for a proposed 4 day trip to Puerto Escondido on the Pacific Ocean.
    We met then planned our four days over lunch of Tacos made with Bulls Cheeks.  He went on to get the bus tickets for the Red Eye that takes us to Huatulco over night arriving around 8 am.  Then we take a van to Puerto Escondido and our hotel for 3 nights. Tuesday we head back on a 6 hour van ride to Oaxaca.  I returned home and relaxed before heading to my 5 pm lecture on Oaxacan Pipe Organs that were brought over by the Spanish in the 1500-1800’s from Europe. Many were destroyed or broke down with no one to repair or restore them so were used for furniture or fire wood.  Read more:  Oaxacan Pipe Organs
      I stopped at Tapas and Vino for dinner then home.

      Today I did nothing but go out to dinner after planning Chris’s visit coming up and my trip to the Ocean.
I wanted to try a new “rooftop” for Happy Hour and maybe dinner.  Every time I visited my favorite restaurant “Biznaga” I noticed a “Rooftop” on the corner so Gozoba is where I headed.

 It is three stories up overlooking all the other roof top restaurants and 360% view of Oaxaca.  The menu was reasonable and so was the house wine, so I went healthy with a Pina y Pollo Ensalada.

 I used only broken Spanish and sucessfully got my message across.  The sun was setting when I sat and sat when I was done sitting.

       All the while I could hear the construction on Calle Garcia Vigil down below.  Mostly this constant hammering with a sludge hammer with NO let up.  I looked over to see the ancient street and sidewalk was being tore up.

 This had been going on since I arrived in October but I thought they were just putting in a new sidewalk…why tear up this Stone street?  When I first noticed it almost 4 months ago, they had Jackhammers…now chisels and sledgehammers.  This was hard rock and manual labor bordering on torture. The workers were solid muscle and just kept hammering away.

 The chisel didn’t seem to move at all.  It was dark outside and rather eeiry with spot lights to guide the crew.  Some were also down in holes like graves taking one shovel of dirt at a time into a wheelbarrow.

 It dawned on me that Jackhammers made dust and noise so the businesses and residents probably complained…thus the torture.  Why dig up a historic landmark on a world heritage site…were they going to put it back the way it was after installing a sewer or something?  I returned home and slept on it.
        Wednesday  I went to the library while the maid cleaned house.  Quiet and beautiful day.  I had lunch at my favorite Rotisserie Chicken Restaurant

then returned home and spent the afternoon on the balcony reading before going back to the library to hear a lecture about the place we are to visit on Friday. It would have been interesting if the teacher made himself heard.  He talked in a monotone peppered with ah, ah, ah ah….I was so relieved when it was over. I retired early that night. Protesters had blocked off the main Gas station downtown so Taxis and the Public couldn’t get gas.

       Today I am packing for the overnight bus to the beach area on Friday after I return from an all day excursion in the country:

We will visit the Dominican Ex Convent of Santiago Apostle at Cuilapan, the archaeological laboratories of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia housed in the ex-convent and a tour of the Zaachila archaeological zone. We will also stop at Hacienda Cuilapam for a buffet lunch with live music and over 50 dishes to choose from. Cost for buffet MX$130/per person plus drinks and tips, is in addition to the transportation costs stated above.

      I will be meeting Halina , my friend from last year.   It will be nice to see and visit with her at Happy Hour.  Next week will be my trip to the Villages and the Beach….Gotta Go!!!

Saturday

Cold hasn’t escaped Oaxaca..down to 52% and high 75% today. It appears to be the same in Phoenix but 9% F in Rochester NY.  I met Richard at the Opera after dropping off my laundry on the way with Helen.  She went to the library to practice her Spanish at the InterCambrio.

     Richard and I lasted to half time before going next door to warm up then returning home. The Opera was good but one of the few Air Conditioned buildings and by the end of the second act we were COLD.  It was cold out, why the A/C.  It was still fun. 

       I went next door on my way home and ran into Halina, my friend from last year that arrived yesterday from Michigan with friends that were going to stay a couple of weeks.  We will email and meet at a later date.  

Great Children’s orchestra with a Merry Go Round for the children and games.

 Finally found a “Juice Bar” in my neighborhood that blends fresh vegetables and fruits into a drink to order!  I’m happy. 

He who wanders is not always lost…I know where I am but damned if I can tell you much else.  The weather turned into a paradise so most of my week or two weeks has been staying at home.   Playing on the computer, cooking, reading, just sitting on the balcony listening to music. So pleasant.

RICHARD, HELEN AND I AT “TAPAS AND VINO”

Sunday was another concert with our local band “Cheap Seats” at Casa Colonial. Richard arrived while I was fussing with my Charcoal Hotdog..mumbled something then I turned around and he was gone.  I stuck around a bit after enjoying a great Dog, but when  I couldn’t find him I left for home.

Tuesday was our once a month MEN’S HAPPY HOUR AT CASA CHARLES.  I stopped to order some appetizers to share, then joined the group for our usual Men’s talk before heading walking home.  

LEFT TO RIGHT..CHARLES,HECTOR,DAVID,CHUCK,HAL,RICHARD AND RICHARD

I WAS WALKING FASTER THAN THE TRAFFIC…A BLOCKADE BY PROTESTERS DOWNTOWN

       Still a bit hungry I stopped for Taco’s Al Pastor and some Jello.

SERVES OUT OF HER LIVING ROOM WHILE WATCHING TV WITH FAMILY

OH…A QUICK MESCAL AT NEIGHBOR BAR

I attended a wonderfully informative lecture on Mescal.  The lecturer was Certified by the Mexican government and had been studying Mescal for 25 years.  No two batches of Mescal are alike.  It takes 6-35 years before harvesting an Algave Cacti and making Mescal.  Tequila is made from Algave but only has to be 51%…the rest can be corn alcohol.  Mescal has to be 80% Algave.  There are many varieties of Algave that effect the outcome.  It can be wild or domesticated. Grown at high or low altitudes. If its grown on the side of a hill or in a river bottom.  The flower when it blooms can be 35 feet high.  All  of the plant is used in some way or another. You had to be there to appreciate it.  I’ve had Mescal that is awful and some that I really liked.

NEVER MADE IT TO THE FOURTH TABLE

NO…NOT ME

Today was Dominoes Day at the Antigua Hotel and I didn’t forget my camera this time…just forgot to take photos.

 I had lunch at Breakfast at Nuevo Mundo where I purchased some great whole roasted coffee beans.

 Then stopped at the bakery to pick up some more of their fantastic bread.  I swear I get fat walking by that place.
      After I took second place with our 5 person Domino game, we had a light lunch and I stopped at the Opera House to get tickets to the Simulcast production of the Merry Widow from the MET in NYC with Rene Fleming…a real star.

Well I still didn’t make it through the opera.  It was in English and I was enjoying it but kept nodding out.  When intermission came…I went.

 Later that evening, Helen and I stopped over to a new restaurant that opened a couple weeks ago.  Ten minute walk and we were there.  Again…I forgot my camera.  We will go back.  I had a Fillet Mignon and Strawberry Raviolis for dessert.

Today is Israeli Brunch at El Sol y La Luna at 1 with Helen and I joining Richard and a friend who is an interpreter at the UN in NYC.  He is here to learn Spanish…already speaks 4 languages.  We took a bus over, had a wonderful brunch prepared by a Jewish NYC BevSty Chef that brought her own ingredients with her.

MEXICAN TAKE OUT CUP

   People interested in Oaxaca can get a lot of information on this site:

OAXACA LIVE

    Sunday Helen and her grandchildren and I had a wonderful dinner at Viejo Lira, my favorite Italian Restaurant in Oaxaca.  They were all leaving for Mexico City the next day.

Great Photo…Lousy Photographer

    Monday started off the Monthly events at the library with a fascinating lecture by Linda Miller on Haciendas of the state of Oaxaca.  Then Tuesday another lecture on the Spanish Inquisition and it’s effects on Mexico.

    Tuesday.  There was a mix up with my Casita…studio and Tere ask me to move again.  Well Helen’s  grandchildren spent their last two days with Helen touring Mexico City before starting back at school. I started moving back to the condo.  Had to meet Richard for an Eye appointment in my neighborhood.  He got a major infection and had to have his eyelid lanced to drain it.  He couldn’t see to well after so I guided him to a restaurant where we had lunch while the drops in his eye wore off.  He took the bus to the pharmacy for meds and I went back to moving.
     That evening I went to my lecture on the Spanish Inquisition.  This retired professor that had been coming to Oaxaca since 1961 and now lives here…was awesome.  He is doing another in February that I won’t miss.

Getting Bus Tickets

     Wednesday the maid arrived to clean and I already had the beds stripped for her and moved most of the kitchen stuff into the downstairs while she cleaned the upstairs.   The upstairs of the condo was now free for me to move back and share for the rest of the month with Helen rather than move to another Casita and have to pay more.  Feels good to get my bed back.  Took me most of the day yesterday but I’m settled in.  I did visit the Bakery for some really good rye bread with pumpkin seeds and pecans.

Real Silkworms…Silkworm Cocoon carved into a Rose and Necklace Made from Baskets of Cocoons

      Thursday…chilled down so may stay here until Happy Hour.  I need to start working on my taxes and catch up on my reading.  Helen should be returning before Happy Hour? Guess not…Viejo Lira for Pizza and wine.  Retired early and woke just after Helen arrived on the overnight bus.  They had a good time.

I LOVE MY DOVE ICE CREAM BAR

    Friday…Walked to the center and met Beth and Richard to play Dominoes.  We played about 4 games and Beth had to meet a friend from the other town in the states she lives in when not in Oaxaca.  We broke the game.  Richard and I ate lunch there before stopping at the Opera for tickets to Carmen tomorrow night.I’m slowing down…forgot to take pics of the dominoes.