Time Flying

At the concert venue

Kathy and I have only two days of class left. How time whizzes  bye.   So many events I haven't had time to report. We've both had a lot of homework almost every night. That definitely cuts the blog posting down. 

Last Thursday evening we attended a lovely concert at the Biblioteca Andres Henestrosa. This is a charming old building outfitted with a retractable roof which was left open for this  violin and piano chamber concert. The violinist, Socrates Juarez and the pianist, Ursula Topete both needed a few minutes to warm up with the ceiling wide open. After only moments the music was fantastic. They played pieces by Bach, Beethoven, DE P. Sarasote and Ravel. Two young artists, well  prepared, vigorous and accomplished. I felt badly for them when a huge airplane flew just over us on the way to the airport. But it didn't seem to phase them, pros that they are.

Jackie eating well at Marco Polo

We've had several really tasty fish dinners at Marco Polo Restaurant just across the street from Llano Park which is only up the street from us. Kathy has had fish tacos there but has now switched to one of our favorites, the filet meneure.(sp) Flavor jumps out at you from the surface of the outside oven baked fish with each bite. All of the seating for this restaurant is in a delightful open air garden filled with plants and trees. You could happily sit there all day. So it's not unusual to prolong the meal with a cup of coffee or a flan or both. Kath and I decided to try a cold coffee advertised on a standing intro card placed on our table. They took a long time to arrive and when they did, they sported a white lid tightly placed on each one. We opened them and tried to spoon out a little of the whipped cream at the top. The spoons felt like they were hitting rocks. Both drinks were frozen solid. We waited and waited and....... still frozen. We finally decided to take them home (via a stop at the bank). We made it.

Today after class we joined Carol and Mike for a trip to Etla and San Augustine. We started with the Etla market which is built on a hillside. Charming and bustling with energy. We ate lunch at one of the many eateries and then walked through and bought gift aprons for several people. Back to the van and north a bit to a glass blowing studio/factory. We only bought small, beautifuly colored glasses because we really don't have any more space or weight allotment  in our baggage. They had beautiful pitchers that we couldn't possible fit anywhere..... so no purchase. Back to the van and up the mountain to San Augustine where "Casa," the beautiful old textile factory, remodeled to be an art center with gorgeous reflective pools and huge exhibition spaces.  A fascinating photography exhibit in the adjoining church space, but no exhibits in the main galleries at the moment. Francisco Toleda is responsible for this amazing art center remodel. It is free to the public and a gift to the community like many other similar project he is the driving force behind.

We're back in our room working on the next to last possible "Tarea" (homework) and a late night walk around the corner for a mini mini meal or drink. Oh yes, life is tough in Oaxaca.