Where Does The Time Go?

I've been here over three weeks! I can hardly believe it. None of the shorts I brought fit anymore, I literally have to tie them on with rope. Which obviously means I need to start supplementing my diet with more lard-based products. Or, I could buy new shorts. Whichever turns out to be more cost effective.

I'm still feeling pretty knocked out from whatever tropical illness I've contracted, so I'm taking the afternoon off, and might as well share a few outtakes from the past few weeks. Of course, most of my days are pretty routine - ministry, market, meetings, Maná - but there's always something divertido afoot. 

Being wet and sticky is tolerable, until you're congealing in a taxi, heater blasting, with three other girls. This was the day before Kim (center) went home, and we were bent on going to the beach, no matter what, even if it was RAINING. Which it did. 

Egyptian Rat Screw, a game of chance and reflexes. You can see from the looks on our faces that the stakes were high. Glory. Honor. Mexican candy. I've taught everyone three of my favorite games - Egyptian Rat Screw, Knock, and SWISH! However, just as soon as they learn the rules, they start beating me, so it's a bitter sort of satisfaction.

Wherever you are, adopting the local way of life usually yields the most enjoyable experience and makes your stay worthwhile. When it comes to food, trying as many local staples and specialties as possible is essential. I had a head start, growing up close to the border in San Diego, but by now my tastebuds are considering applying for Mexican citizenship. Even if it sounds disgusting, even if it smells weird, even if it's alive, open wide. Millions of people wouldn't be eating it if it were going to kill you, unless it's Japanese blowfish, in which case it very well might kill you. 

Sharon and Charlotte venturing a taste of tamale. 

ESSENTIAL OAXACA TASTING LIST

• Agua de Jamaica - Hibiscus-flower tea.
• Chapulines - Fried grasshoppers. Assorted sizes and flavors.
• Chamoy - Salted fruit brine seasoned with chile. 
• Elote - Sweet corn, often made into tamales or served on the street with salt, butter, chile powder, lime, cheese, and mayonnaise .
• Tlatonile - Sauce made from ground up red ants with chile and salt.
• Huitlacoche - Corn smut (fungus infected corn).
• Mezcal - Smokey distilled agave spirit.
• Michelada/Chelada - Beer with lime, salt and spices/hot sauce.
• Mole (moh-ley) - Intricate sauce made by toasting and griding seeds, spices, chiles, and chocolate. Many different flavors and varieties. Usually made for special occasions.
• Queso Oaxaca - Tasty mozzarella-like cheese.
• Flor de Calabaza - Pumpkin flower, often used in quesadillas and empanadas.
• Tlayuda - Giant Oaxacan tortilla & bean based "pizza"
• Pozole - Soup made with hominy kernels and meat.
• Platanos Fritos - Fried plantains, savory if fried when ripe, when overripe, sweet and served with condensed milk. 
• Tamarindo - Pod fruit, used in  many candies and eaten fresh with sugar and/or chile.
• Tamale - Masa (corn dough) stuffed with sweet or savory filling, steamed in a banana leaf or corn husk.

So, if you come to Mexico, plan on trying at least all of those. I tried to have Sharon and Charlotte try as many of the above as possible before they went back to England. On my quest, I asked around to ascertain who, in fact, had the best tamales in town. The universal consensus was "la gordita en el mercado," the little fat lady in the market. I stalked the fat lady for a few days, but kept missing her by hours, or minutes. Finally, the fat lady was located. Her tamales are pretty darn good. Long live the fat lady!

Keiko and Chiaki have got to be the most self-disciplined ladies in the land. They are in the ministry every day, and even though they speak less English than I speak Spanish, they are always finding return visits and potential Bible studies. It takes them 8 hours to study the Watchtower in English. They practice all of the Kingdom songs for the week, cook daily, and spend the rest of the time studying English. And they haven't even been to the beach to frolic. ::jaw drops::

Though as you can see, this way of life seems to be agreeing with them. They were shocked to find out I could use chopsticks and like eating seaweed...they had me over for dinner, and I repaid them by teaching them a few dance moves. I fully intend to kidnap them both for a beach day. 

A bodyboarding competition is going on this week, the 2010 Zicatela Pro. One of the congregation Bible students, Roger, needed volunteers to help construct the competitor's area. The Witnesses launched into action like it was a shirtless Quick Build. Locals gathered around, watching these locos running around digging holes and wielding power saws, working tirelessly until dusk.

How many JW's does it take to build a fence out of bamboo?

 (Mike, Jared, Roger, Bronnie, Holly)

Holly's hole-digging was at times overzealous. 

Jared (from Australia), Michael (from Germany) and I are taking a few guitar lessons from a local guru. He's got crazy long fingernails and can jam with the best of them. We had our first lesson this week, it was definitely informative, but I think I prefer my Skype-lessons from THE guitar guru, mi padre Gregorio!Thank you to everyone (namely...Maria) who sent me emergency recipes. I'm going to try to perfect the lime-chile fish this week. In the meantime, it's back to quesadillas and stir-fry for me.

My luxurious outdoor kitchen.

Stir fry with chicken, coconut milk, lime, curry powder, chile, and garlic over coconut rice with sweet fried bananas.

Yeah, I'll fit into my shorts again soon.