To Do and/or Done

Things are moving along.  I got my scrubba.  I haven't tried it yet but I probably should.

I bought and took my Dukorol.  Still gross. Hopefully still effective.

I booked two days with a bird guide during my no visitors week.  I am pretty excited about that.  His name is Roque Antonio.  Here is our two day adventure as described in Roque Antonio's email:

Good to hear from you ! 

Yes !, the Birding tour is confirmed for February 3&4, On day # 1 we will meet at 6:00AM, At your hotel, Today we will do an introduction to the Birds of central Oaxaca,  we will first Birdwatch at valley thorn forest in search for the specialties of this area including species as: Dusky & Beautiful Hummingbird,  Bridled Sparrow,  Gray breasted Woodpecker,  Boucard's Wren,  White throated Towhee etc. 

Approx noon, we plan to be at high elevation pine/oak forest for lunch & continue Birdwatching at this elevation. 

The activity is all day. 

The return to Oaxaca city is after 4:00 PM. 

On Day # 2, we meet at same time 6:00AM, We will do a stop to get a preBirding breakfast to go at the OXXO, this day on AM & PM ,we will focus on target species as: Ocellated Thrasher, Slaty & Dwarf Vireo, Oaxaca Sparrow,  Chestnut sided Shrike Vireo,  Dwarf jay etc.

The return to Oaxaca city will be at 4:00PM.

Looking forward to hear from you!

Cheers!

I'm going to pretend a stop at the OXXO means a good day is ahead (basically a 7-11). Because I have no pictures, here is one of the 9000th OXXO being opened in Oaxaca. 

I checked out Aeromexico's baggage info.  I think my backpack will JUST meet the carry on allowance (for size, weight is another matter).  And I am allowed two carry on bags, so this should be a breeze. 

Each piece can measure up to 21.5 x 15.7 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 cm).

Also, Aeromexico only seems to have two prohibited items.  Hoverboards and baby lions.  I JUST meet those restrictions as well (I have a jet pack and a full grown cheetah, those should be OK, right?)

I hemmed some summer clothes, a couple of tank tops (shortened the straps) and a skirt that I may not take and if I do, will never wear. I have also thrown some stuff in the general direction of my bag.  My version of pre-packing.  Gingy-Puss left me one last 'traveling as a cat-owner' goodbye gift before she died.  She puked up a furball on my backpack.  I was kind of sad to wash it away.  

Still left to do: Buy some pesos.  There's probably more than that, but that's all I can think of at the moment that isn't just normal stuff (banking, cleaning) accelerated a bit by the trip. 

Two weeks to go. 

Planning? Sure, let's call it that...

Really not much to update but I thought I should check in.  Carolyn and Joe and I met at Blue Fox for breakfast and travel discussion.  Mostly breakfast, a bit of travel.

Joe and Carolyn at the Blue Fox 

Mostly me talking about my new 'washing machine'.  Back up a bit.  Carolyn had asked if there is laundry in the room/building.  I assume not (actually, I'm not sure I even checked brb...), nope, no washer.  I emailed the airbnb contact to ask if there is a laundromat nearby.  No response.

I am so used to washing my clothes in bathroom sinks, this wasn't really a consideration for me.  I just figured, if we are lucky, there will be a laundry line for drying on the roof, as per normal Mexico laundry facilities.  I did google laundromats in the near vicinity but there aren't any showing close to the apartment but that doesn't mean much. Most small businesses won't be on google  maps.

But Carolyn's question came to mind as I was poking around amazon for boxing day sales.  I happened upon the 'Scrubba' which is essentially a dry bag with a washboard built into it.  This is something I could have used over the last 10 years!!  I found it on super-sale so I bought one.  It hasn't arrived yet but I am pretty stoked.  Here is the scrubba info, do not look at the price, I DID NOT pay that much!

I did check some Oaxaca websites.  I found a UNESCO biosphere close by that I might want to visit.  Joe seems keen to go too but it would mean renting a car and another hotel/airbnb.  We'll have to see how the logistics work out.  Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve.   It looks pretty cool though. Lots of cacti.  Birth place of domesticated maize/corn.   Here are some pictures from this guy's website:

I have also emailed a Oaxaca Birding Tour organization (just today so no response yet) to see if they have a guide or tour available during my five guest-free days.

And other than those somewhat specific searches, I have scanned those 'top 5/8/10/15 things to do in Oaxaca' websites.  Lots of Mole (yes!), Mezcal (sure, why not), and Markets (my weakness, better bring a second bag).  3M isn't just for sticky notes!

It took some doing, but I found the apartment building on Google Street maps and had a look at the street.  Looks good.

 https://goo.gl/maps/TTwkFtqAGWP2

3 weeks to go.