Buenos Dias!!
A 930am update as we sit in our room listening to the same traffic cop wail on his whistle right below our balcony!!
The power seems to be out, so no more surfing the internet this morning…but I did see the Canucks won again!!
Change of plans for today as we have been struck with allergies of some sort and even though mine are causing some sneezing, Bexico had a crappy sleep due to sneezing and runny nose.
So we allow her to catch up on the zzz’s she missed and we will get up early mañana for Mont Alban.
So the new plans for hoy are to find some desayunos o comida and then continue with our city tour. Where we ended up last night at 6pm is where we want to pick it up again. Lots to see and explore.
Misc from ayer. A strange sight to see food delivery hombres wearing surgical masks and even our server for desayunos was wearing a hair net. But anoche, our server wasn’t. Not sure of the rational or rules.
We tried the mole…not trying the grasshoppers and other roasted bugs they have for sale as snacks.
He saw us take his foto, pulled his cart over and came over to see what the foto looked like!!
Must feed the machine!!
Bexico felt like a sandwich type of meal for comida, so we went to Paty's.
We both had tortas de pollo. They are buns loaded with pollo, avocado, chilis, lechuga y tomate and then grilled. Mexican panini.
We saw a ton of courtyards today...courtyard viernes!! The first courtyard we went into was one that belongs to the Camino Real hotel. Nice digs!! Used to be a convent.
These next five fotos are from the hotel.
We had seen the courtyard through a tienda and asked the senorita if we were allowed through. A Spanish speaking tourist then told us in Inlges that we were welcome to go in.
It turned out that this senora y senor were from Delta, outside Vancouver. They were Mexicans living in Van, with a son who lived and worked in Yaletown. Pequeño mundo!! Small world.
Bexico and some new friends.
Another courtyard. Most of these are hidden away.
There are lots of tourists and we saw lots of cafes as well.
These ninos were on a school trip and when they saw me take their foto, the maestro at the front of the line said something to the kids and they started waving at us and saying "hola" and "hello".
One of the many iglesias in town.
And a uniquely landscaped one at that.
How did we end up with a foto of the same iglesia but from a roof top?
We were reading la carta (menu) outside an Italian restaurant when a server named Augustine came out to chat us up. Fluent in Ingles and 5 other languages...world traveller as well. He talked to us about the menu, the fact that he teaches cooking and then wanted to give us a tour.
Nice restaurant and he took us up to the roof where I think we will be eating la cena de esta noche. Update you after we return.
Further away from the zocalo, we came upon a very large park called Benito Juarez Parque. The next 4 fotos are from the parque.
The parque was nice, the "market" that ringed the outside was CRAZY. Packed to the hilt with peeps and tents full of "stuff".
The last foto was from an area of tents set up by the government. They were offering free placement testing for adults as well as gratis libros that talked about nutrition. Educación para todas...education for all.
Had to throw a taxi foto in there for Melon.
Don't worry RJ...there is help for me yet!!
Otra iglesia.
This courtyard was part of a building that housed a very large museo de filatelia...a stamp collecting museum.
No foto of the iglesia, but this sign states it was built in the 1750's.
We love this style of furniture.
We first saw it at Rick y Heidi's casa in Arrocito. They had their pieces custom made from an artist who recycled wood from demolished buildings.
We might look into getting a few pieces made for the villas...they told us it took years to get theirs.
Self portrait.
We were in a tienda de ropa and Bexico was behind the current to the left, trying on some funky pantalones. There was a huge mirror and I just took a few fotos while waiting.
One of several iglesias around the zocalo.
Back at the hotel, we heard loud bangs and instruments.
Not sure if it was a parade or protest as Oaxaca is known for both.
We did make some more purchases today and here are two of them.
The first one is 8 squares of hand weaved wool, each about 5 inches square. We had seen these ayer and the shop wanted $35 pesos per square. We got these for $20 pesos per.
And then as we continued our walk, we ended up seeing more and more of these items. We like them and think they will look nice hanging from the walls in the villas.
We said no to a few senoritas due to the fact that we did not like the designs they had to offer. But then we saw this one and bought it.
This is a 13 square item, with each square slightly smaller then the other one, at 4 inches square. And the price? Even better at $15 pesos per square...less then 1/2 price of what we were quoted ayer.
Funny story about the senorita who sold it to us. I did the math to ensure I had the $195 pesos ready. I gave her $200 and told her "esta bien"..she could keep the $5. But she thought 13 x $15 was more then $200 so we spent the next 10 minutes while she tried to do the math and then I just told her to ask the senorita in the tienda next door.
Of course it was $195 and she apologized for the brain fart. She could add with no problem...all she had was the brain fart.
Earlier in another artisans shop, we had a great conversation in español with the senorita working there...and then found out that that she spoke very fluent Ingles. Of course!! But the conversation was great as we learned all about where the different items were made and what they were made of.
I asked her about her Ingles and she said she learned all of it while working in the tienda. As we left, we said "mucho gusto"...nice to meet you...and she replied "igualmente"...equally. It really was a nice meeting!!
For a late afternoon feeding, Bexico filled her belly with another salad from La Olla...it was that good anoche!!
Will add a foto of todays other purchase when we post the fotos of our previous purchases. It is neat too!!
7pm...off to la cena!!
UPDATE
Just back from la cena and our walk to and through the zocalo.
La cena was interesting to say the least. When we arrived at Mezzaluna, we were greeted by Augustine who is only a server but makes it sound and feel like he owns the joint.
We head upstairs and we see we are the 2nd group in the whole place...oh oh.
Beautiful views, a little chilly, good but not great food and the same with the service.
After Augustine got through telling us about his personal issues in life, we ordered our meals and everything came out as ordered!!
Calamari, ensalada, lasagna y pizza!! And we left not one crumb.
When all was done, we went for a walk to burn off a few calories. The zocalo was humming with all the peeps and the numerous mariachi bands. Great environment and it felt very safe.
Fotos from tonight.
A restaurant had these butterflies in the trees and used black lights to make them glow.
Same with the entrance to their courtyard.
This restaurant had a wall of candles by the front door.
They looked nice...but a full time job.
Just a few feet away we saw this group performing. They sounded very good!!
This is the night time view of Auditorio Guelaguetza.
And from the rooftop of Mezzaluna, a view of part of the city.
And of the terrace itself.
And another foto of the templo/iglesia Santa Domingo de Guzman
Mañana? Desayunos, Monte Albán and then 35 minutes back down ruta 175 to the town of San Martin Tilcajete to look at the alebrijes and maybe buy a few if we see a great deal.
Domingo? On the road early as we are taking ruta 190 via Salina Cruz back to Huatulco. We will stop at El Tule (VERY old arbol...tree) as well as a side trip to Teotitlan del Valle where they weave those items we bought today.
Too much to do in 3 or 4 days. Looking forward to a return trip...might fly and rent a car!!
Buen fin de semana!!
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