The Pottages
We’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
Tags: Ecuador, Language School, Nariz del Diablo, Riobamba, South America, Travel
admin
So… it turns out that the train isn`t running tomorrow, there’s a problem with the tracks. I guess we won`t be taking the devil`s nose trip after all. Change of plans — tomorrow we head to Cuenca!
-Sarah
No devil’s nose ride! Oh sad. Proving, I suppose, it’s not only Plum that Happens!
plum happens…fillets of language…
god, that’s hilarious.
i’m missing you very much right now, sarah. i’m always missing you, but especially right now. if i could fly down there right now i would.
I’ve often wished, but especially now, that there was a family tree of sorts for the blog relationships. For instance, I have no idea who Tom is and why he is missing Sarah.
I agree with Jennifer that I’m glad Manuelo was no psychopath; you would never accept an invitation for herbs, not even from someone in Tulsa. Girls, I know you’re smart, but I worry sometimes about you. No one ever says that, but I do.
It’s snowing more today and is beautiful. Fat fluffy flakes that splat on your windshield and make you say WOW.
I too say lose the Lonely Planet and find a more reliable guide. Definitely you could have a job writing for these people. They don’t seem to have a clue.
When I was in cameroon I was fortunate to encounter a “hand sandwhich” in one particularly fancy restaurant. I wanted to get one, but turns out they had no hand available that day.
I ate fillets of language for the first time in Germany. But they filleted it AT THE TABLE, which means you got to see the language whole before it was sliced and it looked JUST LIKE A LANGUAGE, with bumps and ridges and all.
I was horrified, then I was in heaven. Language tastes amazing!
kisses (without language)
b
We’re glad we have people worrying about us back home, not that you have any reason to be, we both have good heads on our shoulders… but it’s nice to know.
Also… Tom is one of my closest friends, we work at camp together in the summers and we make each other laugh a lot.
-Sarah
Bethany:
I so enjoy your comments. You always take it to another level — love that.