This morning after our hike John and I went to Doña Lusia's for breakfast. I had an unusually tasty and fresh coffee cake with my tea. The cake was nearly a duplicate of one that my sister used to make for us with cinnamon and nuts. Brought a real smile to my eye, heart and spirit. I still prefer my sister's rendition! John had huevos rancheros which he seemed to enjoy. Instead of tortillas, he was served an English muffin. We both departed very satisfied.
We have stayed around the compound all day and I have been helping the neighbor with his Internet connection challenges. We have managed to get him back on-line each time he has reached out for help. I do think that there are problems here though due to the fact that there are four wireless routers installed in the system with each of them assigning IP addresses. Simply put, any computer or other device connected to the Internet is assigned a tracking address or identifying number. That is all well and good when you have one master and not four. The problem is that none of the devices knows which master to serve so there a conflict is created. Paul's good friend Ken and I will work on consolidating the address assignment task to one of the four routers. That should pretty much take care of our problems - I hope! Sounds far more complicated than it really is. Really, if I can figure it out, it is more than simple.
John waddled back to my dwelling place around 3 and we both figured it was time to go out for another bite. This afternoon we opted for a no-name restaurant. Those who refer to it by moniker call it Hector's after the owner and chef. It is ranked by trip advisor as the top restaurant here in town. There are six tables in the entire restaurant plus a bar with high stools. We decided that to avoid disappointment and crowding, we would go early. We were the only diners when we entered and we both ordered starters and mains. I had figured that I would wait until I knew what the fare consisted of before I would decide on something sweet to end the meal. I ordered a green salad with cherry tomatoes and a honey mustard dressing and John ordered roasted tomato slices placed on an oblong platter with alternating slices of Mozzarella cheese. For mains, John ordered Beef Bourguignon and I ordered a beef loin sandwich with french fries with chef-fashioned ketchup (catsup for those of you who want generic).
The first item brought to our table was a large bottle of purified water and two glasses. This was followed by a small plate of both green and ripe olives in seasoned olive oil. Soon our starters were on the table along with a plate of freshly cut warm bread. We sat facing each other next to an open, unscreened window. Bars were over the window but it was easy and interesting to peek outside to see passersby, a young man juggling in the churchyard of La Merced and to hear the bells of the church tower tolling. The window was situated low enough so that even toddlers able to peek at us and onto our table. The bells of La Merced church continued to toll in cadence marking a number. We though little of it until we saw a coffin emerge from the front door of the church which was carried on the shoulders of six gentlemen. The procession continued for about fifty meters until they were in the city street at which time the coffin was transferred to the hearse which was ready at hand. The sound of the tolling bell brought back memories to me of the same sounds that I heard as a child in the early 50s at the Silverhill, Alabama Lutheran church when they too were memorializing the departure of somebody in such a fashion.
So, as we enjoyed our salads, we were also attentive to what was happening just outside the open window. No matter the solemnness of the situation, as do the hands of time, the juggler continued as did the vendors of hand-fashioned wares. And, a wee lad just tall enough for his dark brown eyes to be seen looked longingly at what was before us. It was not long before our food was set before us. Both plates had more than ample portions and neither of us fully finished our meals. The food was good, maybe even better than good. I asked for the bill and for una caja para llevar (doggie bag) to bring home the left-overs. And, we did in fact find a doggie that was more than happy to eat the scraps.
Well sated, I figured it was time to summon the sedan chairs for our passage home. It took me a moment to grasp reality and understand that my legs and feet would be my mode of transport. We thanked for a great meal and walked the three or four blocks back to the compound for the night. No-name restaurant will get our repeat business.
So, as we enjoyed our salads, we were also attentive to what was happening just outside the open window. No matter the solemnness of the situation, as do the hands of time, the juggler continued as did the vendors of hand-fashioned wares. And, a wee lad just tall enough for his dark brown eyes to be seen looked longingly at what was before us. It was not long before our food was set before us. Both plates had more than ample portions and neither of us fully finished our meals. The food was good, maybe even better than good. I asked for the bill and for una caja para llevar (doggie bag) to bring home the left-overs. And, we did in fact find a doggie that was more than happy to eat the scraps.
Well sated, I figured it was time to summon the sedan chairs for our passage home. It took me a moment to grasp reality and understand that my legs and feet would be my mode of transport. We thanked for a great meal and walked the three or four blocks back to the compound for the night. No-name restaurant will get our repeat business.
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You make me hungry! I'll have to post off to the kitchen and see what I can come up with. I doubt it will be as fancy as yours sounded but hopefully as tasty and good for me. I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for writing.
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