Preparing for last week of class

Front courtyard fountain festooned for Valentines Day by the "other Jackie"

A fun bunch

Humboldt group — Latest arrivals from Arcata and Eureka

enjoying the space just outside my room in the back courtyard

Well, in my studies we're beginning to hit all the old difficulties that pop up seemingly every year.  How to spell numbers, how to say numbers and letters of the alphabet. Yesterday we worked on ser and estar for this year and today we went over names of clothes and the worst stopper always — por and para. That seems to be the one everybody has the most  trouble with. Starting tomorrow and all of next week we'll be working on Subjunctive. I'm not good enough or energetic enough to even go there in this discussion. But I have wanted to begin getting into it for some time so I'm reasonably excited and nervous about finally doing it. More whenever it becomes "old hat."

I went to El Sol & La Luna again last night and had a delicious salad with a little empanada and a small glass of vino tinto. Finished with a nut and chocolate crepe that was from heaven. At about 9:00 beautiful young people began streaming in and filling all the chairs in this tiny five table room. Dave, a friend from years past was there with another man. Soft piano jazz was playing when I entered.

I love everything about what they have done to outfit this diamond in the rough. The windows are all part of a thought but each is somehow different. The lighting is well thought out with three drop lights over the small bar. A lovely understated chandelier hanging centrally and several wall sconces finish the treatment with all appearing to be subject to dimming. A generous bowl of flowers hides the only view of a computer below the bar and a partially "distressed" combination of off white and green treats the wooden walls with various other greens on the harder surfaces. Tranquil yet engaging. Just right for me.  This charming destination is only two blocks from Hotel Las Mariposas, our little paradise in Oaxaca. I'll be back tonight with friends for another salad.