Shopping, Good food, Guests leave, and the Art of San Antonio

Feb 21

Today was a super shopping day for Gary and Edmund. Ron wasn’t feeling up to par nor does he like shopping. So, we left him at home. We first walked downtown so I could exchange the shirt I had bought for Ron. I noticed a bleached-out spot on the back on the shirt when I unfolded it and fortunately the owner asked no questions and quickly exchanged the shirt.

We took a taxi from downtown to Fabrika La Aurora. This large arts/cultural center is housed in a former textile mill. We started at one end and ended the day at the other. There may have been a few galleries we skipped but we had fun popping into shops and galleries for hours. In between, we ate outside of a cute coffee shop on the patio under a tree.

Gary saw a beautiful textile made from imported merino wool in muted blue, brown, ochre, etc. But the size wasn’t right for a wall hanging and he didn’t need a bed covering. But he looked at it for a long time, touched it and tried to find a way to justify purchasing it. It just wasn’t right. I took them to a shop I had visited with Sandi and Bill and like me, they loved the shop. They got two ceramic shot glasses with a cacti motif.

We walked back to town and decided to pay for a sculpture they wanted to buy. It was too heavy to carry home without a backpack so the plan was to return the following day to pick it up. While in the shop they decided to take one more look at the wonderful textile shop next door that we have visited a couple of times. Gary said ‘I just want to make sure there isn’t something I may have missed’.  Sure enough, laying there on top of some cushion covers was a beautiful woven rectangular wool rug in muted grays, off white and light tans. We got home in the late afternoon and rested until time to go to Zumo, the lovely rooftop restaurant. Three of us ordered fish and found it to be lacking in the wow factor. Gary and Edmund repeated Sandi and Bill’s dessert order: Chocolate tamale. It is a rich chocolate cake with bubbling dark chocolate wrapped in a leaf.

Feb 22

Our first order of business after breakfast was to go to the small organic grocery to replenish our veggies. G and E wanted to come with us so off we went. Back at home, we put veggies away after soaking them in disinfectant. We headed to La Parada, the Peruvian restaurant and everyone LOVED their lunch. I had my favorite rice and seafood dish, Ron had tacu tacu again, Edmund had pork short ribs and Gary had what he described as ‘the best chicken sandwich of his life.’ No one had room for dessert. Gary and Edmund headed to town to fetch their sculpture and we headed home.

We had a late dinner outside by candlelight. I had made a zesty lime quinoa salad with black beans, celery, fennel root, red and orange bell peppers with lime dressing with olive oil, lime zest, and cumin. I also made a hearty green salad with blue cheese, pepitas, kale, butter lettuce, carrots, orange peppers, and purple cabbage with a balsamic and olive oil dressing. Ron made some delicious garlic butter bread.

Feb 23

Everyone got up a little earlier. Nicolas was coming by to pick up G and E for the airport at 11:00. I made scrambled eggs for Edmund and Ron while Gary and I had our usual breakfast. Nuria had been out all week due to hurting her ankle but was expected today so I started a load of sheets and towels to help her out. Ron took some time to view Gary’s photographs which were amazing. Gary has been taking painting classes and has developed a good eye for composition. We were impressed with his photos. Nicolas true to form showed up on time and after hugs and goodbyes off  G and E left for the airport, a 60-90 minute drive depending on traffic.

Ron and I went to the farmer’s market to get more veggies and fresh bread, probably our last shopping trip before leaving on Thursday for Oaxaca. On the spur of the moment, we decided to take part in the San Antonio (our neighborhood) Open Studio, an annual event. We visited 13 of the 47 open studios and saw some amazing artwork. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, and prints. There was a wide range of skill but overall it was a fun and worthwhile effort.

At home, we dined on leftovers, what we call a ‘déjà vu’ dinner. It is quiet tonight with no guests. We had a great time with Gary and Edmund. We have been friends for a long time but we have never been on a vacation together and we all agreed it went well and that the best part of the experience was spending time together.