Up early! We had a driver and van picking us up after another splendid breakfast...more french toast...more huevos Mexicanos.
I was the lucky one...I got to sit in the front seat with our driver Pancho...a man of great humor and patience. He has 4 daughters and all female cats and dogs who have all taught him well. His English is perfect...he said he's just picked it up driving the van for 25 years. As he drove to Dolores Hidalgo we asked about crops and industry we passed...he knew all the answers. He also found the tile store I was looking for in Dolores. I've ordered from there in Austin so it was hard to walk out with 6 drawer knobs and some tiny pots, but my suitcase was already at it's weight limit. I'm going to have to jettison some beauty products...though these ladies HAVE eaten the 4# of chocolate covered almond I brought.
Pancho also knew to take us to the architectural salvage places along the road. It wasn't going to be easy to bring an ox yoke home for Peter's collection but Susan an Bee got some smaller artifacts. I was buying a Virgin of Guadeloupe printed on tin sign and found out that the vender supplies a store in New Braunfels right down the road from us! I can't wait to get over THERE.
In an effort to give us a little history Pancho took us the Santuario de Atotonilco. In May of 1740 Padre Alfaro was resting in a field in a war ravaged area and had a dream. God told him to build a refuge for peace there and because his father was wealthy he got right to it and completed it in 1748. The inside is covered with wonderful frescos painted by a local Indian man. It was very dear to me how proud Pancho was of this place.
Down a bumpy gravel road off the road between SMA and Dolores Hidalgo is an oddly placed spa/hotel/restaurant... Nirvana. You really have to be looking for this place, but it's worth the hunt. We sat on a long covered patio drinking wine and eating salads and enchiladas and relaxing as if we'd had a hard morning.
And then, of course, we had to get back to rest up for COCKTAILS. Some of us went up the hill to the plaza to see the parade of weddings that seems to happen every Thursday and Friday nights in front of the cathedral.
Still the guacamole and fresh chips rolled out of our kitchen along with the margaritas and wine and we chatted some more...
New Orleans has never done very well with the health food thing. It's the most divine thing in the whole world...Greenburg turkey pate'. Every night after work we had guacamole and chips for dinner. Chico's is for fat old people. Thank you so much! So when I tell you that you owe me another $100 tomorrow you won't hate me? When you're really having a good time you start planning your next trip. Was that only yesterday? It's an orange hat and you're not giving it to me? Whatever you do, don't tell your mother. We were all wound up! I had a roommate once who ironed her jeans. I had a lab partner who was an INDIAN! We won't call this week Steel Magnolias...it's Iron Cactus.
Esperanza made us shrimp and garlic and vegetables for dinner...and an apple cake I think. and some of us played more Hand and Foot...getting to bed a bit later than others.
Day 6 ...Saturday
YOGA! ...at least for DeeDee, Vail, Bee, Becky, Kay and Marguerite ...was Susan there? I can't remember, sorry Susan...I want you to get credit if you were.
After yet another yummy breakfast Paula , Laurie, Kay, Becky and Wendy climbed up that steep hill again and went to the open air market. I'm sure there was plenty of shopping done. They later reported a very good lunch at the food court. Susan and Vail wandered and found lots more to buy ( I think Susan went home with twice the bags she came with) and Bee and DeeDee and I went up to La Esquina...the museum of toys and Mexican arts. We were so surprised and delighted. There are 3 floors of a personal collection of toys made from wood, metal, paper mache', clay, straw... vintage and new, large and teensy.. .everything charming. Their shop was tempting! But the things I wanted were just too heavy.
Since we were beginning to feel a bit peckish and the churros and hot chocolate cafe' was on the next block, we succumbed... at least Bee and I did. DeeDee's given up sugar for Lent. Walking home we dropped into several shops picking up a few more things to cram in suitcases.
Then DeeDee and Bee needed a relaxing bath with their Indonesian sherpas...
Back at #7 many were ready to play Hand and Foot so we sat again out on the gorgeous terrace with the sound of the fountain behind us and played a rousing game.
Are we playing in pesos or dollars. Wait, I didn't know we were betting! It's better to go down if you can go down. Yes, if you can go down it will help your partner. You never know what you're going to get in a pile. You do if you're paying attention.
As everyone gathered for COCKTAILS the conversation shifted to a bit more philosophy as we realized that we only had one more day...
Life is short but it's wide! Never let the rules bog you down. I go to bed, I get up and nothing's changed...everybody's still telling everybody else what to do. My sister would rather eat it or wear it than sleep in it. Do you have a bigger one? We've GOT to go to Neiman's right now! I unhooked my bra to rest and then I couldn't find it!
Another fabulous dinner...steaks... and Esperanza made a lime pie with almonds on top that had been toasted in BACON grease... a very nice touch.
More cards and drifting to bed.