3/11/2020
Day 57 - Week 9 Oaxaca City
Wednesday, another day for walking about. First up was dropping off our laundry before heading for a stop at Chocolate y Mole la Soledad for Marge to sample bowl of hot chocolate.
More exploring, this time further west, zig-zagging east-west streets. Bumped into a new mercado, Mercado IV Centenario near a church we’d not visited, Basilica de la Solidad.
Walking further up hill we came through the private neighborhood where we’d visited weeks earlier on our first local bird group walk.
Winding our way back into the city central we stopped at Santisima Flor de Lupulo for Tom to sample another flight of beer.
Back onto the Acala for more shopping, Tom purchased a necklace for Jennie at Copol and Marge purchased two pairs of earrings at another shop.
Sorting out where to have lunch we settled on a revisit to Pan-Am. Veggie quiche with red potatoes and horchata frappe. Wandered through more shops on our way back to the apartment. Happy hour for Tom (Marge has not wanted to go since her first night). Learned that one of the workers, Edgar, is AWOL with no idea if he’s returning to work. This has stressed Tio and Manuel and it shows.
Day 58 - Week 9 Oaxaca City
Have to say that the coronavirus scare is sweeping the world. But so far, here in Oaxaca, we seem to be isolated. That of course will change but hope that two weeks from now when we fly home, we’ll be be able to do so given flight bans from the EU countries.
That said, we departed the apartment to allow for our weekly cleaning. Headed over to Boulenc for some coffee and toasted bread.
From there we headed over to the Cultural Museum to show Marge the Tomb 7 exhibit. Of course we had to checkout some shops along the way.
Following the museum we headed up to Berlina’s for a bite of lunch. Wonderful cream of broccoli soup, homemade bread, and strudel (with ice cream) for desert.
Wandered back to the La Casa de Las Artisanias de Oaxaca to buy Paul and Frank some black clay copitas. Then back to the apartment for a rest before going to pick up our laundry. And then it was time for Happy Hour with now both Marge and Carol attending.
Day 59 - Week 9 Birding Tour
Packing up small bags for the bird tour. Leaving our large bag for when we return.
Check in at the Hotel Mision isn’t until 3:00pm so we have some time to kill. Walked up to Llano Park and along the way stopped at Pipe cafe for coffee and a bite to eat. Three small pieces of French toast with a platter of fresh fruit.
A round trip through the park then back to the apartment. Stopped to buy some soap recommended for stains in clothing. Then invited into a small nuevo art studio which holds classes and workshops for artists all over the world. Those artists then paint small pieces of art on the old adobe walls of an interior courtyard - something you would never see from the street.
Finally time to hail a taxi for the short trip to Hotel Mision. We wound up being put into an elegant suite (for the price of a standard room) since the standard room we’ll stay in during the next seven days wasn’t ready yet.
Time for a few drinks at the pool bar before Tim and Bridget arrived. Rather than eat at the hotel where we’ll be eating for the next several days, we walked into town for an evening meal at the miaz. Walked around the Santa Domingo square before heading back to the hotel. Have to say the room was extravagantly nice.
Unfortunately, John and Risé’s flight from CO Springs was cancelled - they won’t arrive until late afternoon tomorrow. But Vicky had arrived just fine (Marge and Vicky are rooming together).
Spoke with some of the Field Guides tour that was just ending as well as caught up with Mica, one of our guides.
Day 60 - Week 9 Birding Tour
Free day. Tim, Bridget, Vicky Marge and us walked into town for breakfast at Pan-Am. Then walked on to the Cultural Museum where we left Tim, Bridget and Vicky to tour the Tomb 7 exhibit while we with Marge waited outside.
A first communion celebration was taking place outside the front of the church when Tim, Bridget and Vicky came out after their tour.
Once the celebration broke up we all headed down the Alcala. Bridget and Tim decided to forge ahead on their own to the Zocola and mercado while Vicky shopped for earrings in a jewelry shop. I forged ahead to Copal to see if they had restocked a necklace Risé was interested in (Carol had texted a photo of a necklace which Risé wanted but had been sold).
Fortunately, the necklace had been restocked. A series of texts followed where Carol sent Risé several photos and prices of necklaces. Risé finally settled on a different necklace which we purchased for her. Then I surprised Carol by purchasing a necklace she had really liked as a 25 year wedding anniversary present.
Vicky bought a small carving then we headed down to the Zocola for a round of cokes and people watching. As we walked back toward the hotel we simply had to stop at Berlina’s so I could drink and beer while they watched.
While we were out and about Steve and Rita’s flight arrived so when we got back to the hotel, they were already checked in. Tim and Bridget were back at the hotel as well.
Connie and Russell arrived in a full-blown panic. Apparently their kids had convinced Connie that due too the virus scare and fear of not getting a flight home, they should return immediately. Eventually Connie calmed down but they may still leave the tour early (they’d already changed their tickets home to go 5 days sooner). We’ll see.
Drinks at the pool then met the guides at 7:00 for introductions and an evening meal. During the intro, John and Risé finally arrived - but their luggage hadn’t. It’s in CO Springs but should catch up with them tomorrow.
Following dinner we headed to our rooms - and early day for tomorrow, the official first day of the tour.
Day 61 - Week 9 Birding Tour
First day of birding tour ended with the news that Field Guides is suggesting we shorten the tour by several days. In the end we cut the three day extension, took a vote as to how many would like to finish out the main tour which will end on Friday. One couple, Tim and Bridget were already not going on the extension. Connie and Russell in full blown panic changed their flights to leave Thursday morning.
The rest have opted to stay and fly home Saturday as planned. But flights will have to be altered since the remaining people who voted to stay were also going on the extension.
We have asked that our flights be changed for us to leave on Sunday as we still have to finish up business at our apartment.
Meanwhile, the tour continued with many good birds found.
Day 62 - Week 9 Birding Tour
Tour continues. Efforts to change flights continue. More good birds.
Day 63 - Week 9 Birding Tour
Some flights have been changed while some remain in limbo. The tour continues apace.
Day 64 - Week 10 Birding Tour
This will be Connie and Russell’s last full day on the tour.
Day 65 - Week 10 Birding Tour
Connie and Russell have departed. By now all the flight changes for the remaining group members to fly out on Saturday have been confirmed.
Day 65 - Week 10 Birding Tour
This is the last full day of the tour. Returned to the hotel to pack, relax, then gather at a nearby restaurant for our farewell dinner. By now all our neighbors save for David and Kathy have departed Villa Maria.
A complete tour report posted by Field Guides with a bird list, a brief video and photos by our guides Dan Lane and Micah Reigner is here: Sykes Private Oaxaca Bid Tour
Day 66 - Week 10 Oaxaca City
Saturday. Remaining tour members departed for the airport. We settled our bill at the hotel, took a taxi back to Villa Maria. David and Kathy still in residence but no one else. One last breakfast at La Rambla, 1:00pm meeting with Maria to retrieve our deposit, pass on our tips to the boys, and one last walk downtown to lunch at Berlina’s. Rearranged and managed to pack all our belongings for our flight home on Sunday. One last very lonely happy hour on the roof.
Day 67 - Week 10 Oaxaca City
American Airlines updated our flight info, pushing our flight back to 9:15am. They automatically rebooked us to a later flight at DFW but fearing we would still not make the connection, we changed to a later flight (no charge).
Our flights home went smoothly with less than full flights. Glenn and Diane picked us up in Tucson and by early evening we were back in our townhouse.
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