The Pottages
Tuesday, January 30th, 2007We’re in Riobamba, Ecuador anxiously awaiting our train ride down “the devil’s nose.” A trip during which we get to ride on top of the train. Whooo hoooo!
While waiting, we did something we do almost everyday. We ate lunch. It was a nice restaurant with white tablecloths and dessert spoons and waiters wearing white vests (although our lunches, which included bread, soup, entree, dessert, and juice cost us $1.70 each). It was also one of the funniest lunches either of us have had in a long time. Why? Because of the menu. Someone had translated it into English so that under each Spanish food item lay an English translation. Here are some of the best dishes they offered (word for word):
– Crema de Hongos (It Cremates of Mushrooms)
– Crema de Espàrragos (It Cremates of Asparaguses)
– Pechuguita a la Plancha (Breast to the Iron)
– Costillas a la BBQ (Ribs to the BBQ)
– Las Menestras (The Pottages)
– Costillas de Res a la Parnilla con Guarnicones (Head Ribs to the Grill with Gears)
– Cerdo en Salsa de Vino y Ciruelas Pasa (Pig in Sauce of Wine and Plum Happens)
– El Chuletero: Duo de Chuleta de Cerdo y Res (Duet of Pig Chops and Head)
– Lengua con Salsa Parreillera (Fillets of Language with Sauce of Garlic, Oregano, and Other Spices)
At first we thought, uh oh, someone made a translation mistake, but then we realized that language really had been filleted… and spat up on the menu.
-Las Dos
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