Sorry it’s been a while! This week has been really busy, and skipping out on the blog got to be a bad habit that was easy to keep up. We have lots of things to tell about! Unfortunately, the weather is one of them. Since it hasn’t rained in the past couple of days, the heat has been slowly and miserably climbing up towards the hundreds. Now we’ll give a quick rundown of the menu from this week. Tuesday we had ham and cheese quesadillas for breakfast again. For comida, we had delicious homemade meatballs over rice. The whole dish was covered in a traditional Mexican red sauce, handmade by Mama. The sort of strange thing about them was that they had hard boiled eggs inside. Before you start gagging, let us just say that it was interestingly delicious. Wednesday we had hotcakes for breakfast and for comida Mama made a really refreshing dish. It was tostada shells with a scrumptious mix of jitomate (red tomato), tons of fresh cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and some onion. It also had some sort of pulled beef in it. Mama said it was “carne falda,” which literally translates to skirt meat, so we are guessing it was skirt steak. She also served a creamy pasta salad. Thursday we had leftover jitomate and cilantro mix fried into some scrambled eggs. Mama graciously left out the traditional pepper or chile for the sake of Sarah’s tongue. So nice, our mama. After school we had a giant plate of Mama’s spaghetti with chicken and mixed veggies all together in a flavorful creamy-type sauce. Friday for breakfast we had another ham and cheese quesadilla. For comida, we had puréed broccoli soup and fried empanada thingies filled with chicken. Saturday morning, we had eggs with sausage, and Mama surprised us with Mango yogurt. For comida, we were at a fiesta with our Mama (more info later), and they served chicken that was somehow filled with ham and cheese. It was smothered with a brownish red sauce, but Mama couldn’t really explain was it was made of because we think it is a fruit that we don’t have in America. It was also served with noodles, and mixed veggies. There was also an abundance of pan (bread) with sesame seeds on top. Today, Sunday, we had French toast for breakfast. We hope that comida today is delicious as always.
Tuesday, we were both a little groggy and sleepy, probably from the heat. So, we sat out on our balcony as it got dark, and we girl talked, which is always fun. You can call us lame, but we think this trip has already brought us closer. We also played a friendly game of Shanghai with Mama, who won. She can be quite a little card shark. Wednesday we had quite a cultural experience. We have heard people talk about the movie theatre’s VIP section since we got here, so we wanted to check it out. We watched Robin hood (with subtitles en espanol). The VIP section means that you get to sit in your own GIANT puffy recliner with you feet up. It also means that people run around in funny uniforms and ask if you want food. They had everything from palomitas (popcorn), to sandwiches, to pizza. They also had a full service bar. The movie was fabulous, mostly because Russell Crowe is even pretty when he is in a dirty battle scene with head wounds. Also, the action scenes were great. Just a cultural observational side note: life here is just louder. The movie was REALLY loud, live music at restaurants is so loud can’t hear each other talk, and the traffic is loud with honking horns etc. Thursday, we went to our favorite restaurant nook because they have live bands every night, and Thursday is salsa night! It was so much fun, especially watching the coordinated people of this world dance the most beautiful dance we’ve seen. Also, there is a group of old people that meet up to do this dance called Danzon. It is slow and pretty with lots of turns, and they dance so close together that it is a wonder they don’t step on toes. We’ve noticed that eye contact is not something that people skip out on when they dance here. If you get a chance, look up danzon. There might be some videos on youtube. It is very romantic. We’ve recently come to the realization that we are viewed as somewhat exotic creatures here. It is hilarious to us that anyone would consider pale American girls as exotic. It quickly became a fun game to try to teach the rhythm-less Americans a dance that requires a specific amount of coordination, an amount that we don’t really have. We did, however, have a blast… even with our two left feet. Friday we went back to the restaurant with live music and danced some more. Our left feet are slowly turning right, with the help of non-judgmental, patient individuals. Here in Cuernavaca, you kind of fall into a sense of non-self-consciousness. We think it is because no one judges you here. One of us could fall on our butt in the middle of the dance floor, and either: no one would notice, or they would rush to help us up with a smile. We can’t get enough of this way of life. Saturday we went to a quinceañera for two twin girls. For those of you who may not know what a quince is, it is a huge celebration in Latin-American culture. When girls turn 15, their parents throw them a blowout party, and everyone and their great aunt Sally shows up to celebrate. It is kind of the equivalent of a sweet 16, but bigger and grander. First, they have a catholic mass. Yesterday’s mass had a chubby funny priest that proceeded to joke with the girls and her parents about chastity when the girls are old enough to have novios (boyfriends). Then, there is a party that seems sort of like a wedding reception. The whole place was decked out from top to bottom in bright magenta and teal. The twins wore the same dress in two different colors, magenta and teal. They had a cake the size of Texas, and they served a full meal and of course, plenty of beer. We are starting to understand how Mexico is the number 2 consumer of Coca-cola in the world. Most people we have met drink it with everything all the time. Both girls had a group of boys that were kind of like bridesmaids/ ushers. They wore tuxes, completed with magenta or teal vests and ties. The party must’ve had at least 200 people. One of our favorite parts was the mariachi band who played beautiful music and danced in sparkly costumes. After the quince, we went to the house of the aunt of our Mama. There were aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and everyone in between. We sang Karaoke for the family in English, which was fun. Our only choices for songs were the Beatles, and some typical American hits. We sang “With a Little Help from My Friends,” and “I Will Survive.” It was really fun. They also served tasty food. Jillian ate handmade tamale with red sauce, and Sarah ate one with green sauce. They told her it would be less spicy, which was sort of a lie. They had these onions in a clear sauce that made Jillian very curious. Our hilarious uncle Victor is home for the weekend, and he LOVES spicy food. Yumm. When Victor says something is spicy, it quite possibly could make your tongue fall flat out of your head and burst into flames. He said the onions were spicy, and Jillian curiously took a bite. Spicy it was, but also delectable. The tamale was already very spicy, and with the onions, it was like eating flames. The family was quick to pick on Jillian when her face turned devil red. Sarah has found herself a novio (boyfriend). Unfortunately, he is about 5 years old. One of Mama’s nephews has fallen in love with our blonde friend. He is quite the character, and also side-splitting to watch dance. Sarah, who was wearing 4 inch heels, had trouble fitting under his little arms when he tried to spin her. It was sweet nonetheless. At breakfast this morning, Mama told us that he asked his dad if he thinks Sarah will be his girlfriend when he gets bigger and grows up. So adorable. Jillian danced with Uncle Victor and also the youngest addition to the family, Sebastian. He is about 10 months old, and sweet as pie. He made a great dance partner too. Today we don’t know what we are going to do, maybe another museum or something. Maybe the panaderia for more paaan dulce. More to come later! Love y’all!
Jillie and Say
Tuesday, we were both a little groggy and sleepy, probably from the heat. So, we sat out on our balcony as it got dark, and we girl talked, which is always fun. You can call us lame, but we think this trip has already brought us closer. We also played a friendly game of Shanghai with Mama, who won. She can be quite a little card shark. Wednesday we had quite a cultural experience. We have heard people talk about the movie theatre’s VIP section since we got here, so we wanted to check it out. We watched Robin hood (with subtitles en espanol). The VIP section means that you get to sit in your own GIANT puffy recliner with you feet up. It also means that people run around in funny uniforms and ask if you want food. They had everything from palomitas (popcorn), to sandwiches, to pizza. They also had a full service bar. The movie was fabulous, mostly because Russell Crowe is even pretty when he is in a dirty battle scene with head wounds. Also, the action scenes were great. Just a cultural observational side note: life here is just louder. The movie was REALLY loud, live music at restaurants is so loud can’t hear each other talk, and the traffic is loud with honking horns etc. Thursday, we went to our favorite restaurant nook because they have live bands every night, and Thursday is salsa night! It was so much fun, especially watching the coordinated people of this world dance the most beautiful dance we’ve seen. Also, there is a group of old people that meet up to do this dance called Danzon. It is slow and pretty with lots of turns, and they dance so close together that it is a wonder they don’t step on toes. We’ve noticed that eye contact is not something that people skip out on when they dance here. If you get a chance, look up danzon. There might be some videos on youtube. It is very romantic. We’ve recently come to the realization that we are viewed as somewhat exotic creatures here. It is hilarious to us that anyone would consider pale American girls as exotic. It quickly became a fun game to try to teach the rhythm-less Americans a dance that requires a specific amount of coordination, an amount that we don’t really have. We did, however, have a blast… even with our two left feet. Friday we went back to the restaurant with live music and danced some more. Our left feet are slowly turning right, with the help of non-judgmental, patient individuals. Here in Cuernavaca, you kind of fall into a sense of non-self-consciousness. We think it is because no one judges you here. One of us could fall on our butt in the middle of the dance floor, and either: no one would notice, or they would rush to help us up with a smile. We can’t get enough of this way of life. Saturday we went to a quinceañera for two twin girls. For those of you who may not know what a quince is, it is a huge celebration in Latin-American culture. When girls turn 15, their parents throw them a blowout party, and everyone and their great aunt Sally shows up to celebrate. It is kind of the equivalent of a sweet 16, but bigger and grander. First, they have a catholic mass. Yesterday’s mass had a chubby funny priest that proceeded to joke with the girls and her parents about chastity when the girls are old enough to have novios (boyfriends). Then, there is a party that seems sort of like a wedding reception. The whole place was decked out from top to bottom in bright magenta and teal. The twins wore the same dress in two different colors, magenta and teal. They had a cake the size of Texas, and they served a full meal and of course, plenty of beer. We are starting to understand how Mexico is the number 2 consumer of Coca-cola in the world. Most people we have met drink it with everything all the time. Both girls had a group of boys that were kind of like bridesmaids/ ushers. They wore tuxes, completed with magenta or teal vests and ties. The party must’ve had at least 200 people. One of our favorite parts was the mariachi band who played beautiful music and danced in sparkly costumes. After the quince, we went to the house of the aunt of our Mama. There were aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and everyone in between. We sang Karaoke for the family in English, which was fun. Our only choices for songs were the Beatles, and some typical American hits. We sang “With a Little Help from My Friends,” and “I Will Survive.” It was really fun. They also served tasty food. Jillian ate handmade tamale with red sauce, and Sarah ate one with green sauce. They told her it would be less spicy, which was sort of a lie. They had these onions in a clear sauce that made Jillian very curious. Our hilarious uncle Victor is home for the weekend, and he LOVES spicy food. Yumm. When Victor says something is spicy, it quite possibly could make your tongue fall flat out of your head and burst into flames. He said the onions were spicy, and Jillian curiously took a bite. Spicy it was, but also delectable. The tamale was already very spicy, and with the onions, it was like eating flames. The family was quick to pick on Jillian when her face turned devil red. Sarah has found herself a novio (boyfriend). Unfortunately, he is about 5 years old. One of Mama’s nephews has fallen in love with our blonde friend. He is quite the character, and also side-splitting to watch dance. Sarah, who was wearing 4 inch heels, had trouble fitting under his little arms when he tried to spin her. It was sweet nonetheless. At breakfast this morning, Mama told us that he asked his dad if he thinks Sarah will be his girlfriend when he gets bigger and grows up. So adorable. Jillian danced with Uncle Victor and also the youngest addition to the family, Sebastian. He is about 10 months old, and sweet as pie. He made a great dance partner too. Today we don’t know what we are going to do, maybe another museum or something. Maybe the panaderia for more paaan dulce. More to come later! Love y’all!
Jillie and Say
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