Busy in Xela
Hey all… I´ve got quite the life going on here, it´s pretty insane how one can come to a place and all of a sudden have friends, school, a job, a new house, etc… I moved into Yoga house on Friday and had a wonderful collective dinner last night. We´re planning a thanksgiving (i´m making mashies, though I might also attempt green bean casserole…so send me the recipe, eh mama?) My room there is pleasant, though a little dirty and with a very hard bed. A friend described its smell as that of the inside of an old ship. I did some cleaning this weekend, but the ship smell did not dissipate.
I had quite the beautiful weekend. I´ve met some wonderful people here, and quite a few from San Fran, who have told me stories that make me very excited to move there once I return. On Saturday, I went with Sarah and Megan´s school on a volcano trip. Soooo steep, but we were rewarded with views of a beautiful caldera lake, fog, and tropicalish vegetation. We lay on the pumice beach like seals for a bit, and listened to a gathering on the other side that may have been a batism or perhaps an exorcism. No sé.
That night we went and saw Buena Vista Social Club in an old military barracks. I wish I had been more awake, but I was pooped from the early morning hiking. Still, the music was delightful, and watching people dance, even more so.
Yesterday I succeeded in recopying two weeks of notes and getting a job at a café, so I´ll have a bit of money coming in. Also, on Tuesday I´m off to look at an after school program where they need volunteers…so I hope that works out.
The newest plan is to stay here in Xela until the end of January, make my way down to Costa Rica, then travel to Bolivia where I´ll study for perhaps another month, and then on to Peru and Ecuador for a little travel before returning to the us in mid-April. The ever morphing plan continues, but as of now this sounds good.
I miss you all…send me email updates…I want to know what´s happening in the states.
Tags: Travel, Xela
ejaeger
What a cool post! Sounds llike Yoga House is generally good. And with all the outings and activities, you are one busy girl. A bit surprised, but impressed at your resourcefulness, that you got a job. The required interaction will only help your language skills blossom. And I hope you get to do the after-school program. I had to smile when I thought of you as la gran maestra, enseñanza los pequeños niños.
Not too much news here. Gianna had her baptism yesterday (she’s cute); Jake comes in day after tomorrow, con su novia nueva; Mama seems to feel better.
xox, Baba
Hey Pumpkin,nrAn old ship? Try cleaning with some lemon juice? Green Bean Casserole…green beans, mushrooms, cream sauce topped with fried onions.nrnrSteam your beans, saute’ the mushrooms in butter, save the juice. Make a roux, add chicken broth and mushroom juice. Mix the sauce with the shrooms and beans, top with fried onions, bake until warm@ 350 about 20 minutes.nrnrI ran into Regina at the Jewel, she was very excited to hear you were in Xela…she is living in Oak Park again.nrnrThanksgiving count down begins, just finished the livers, the cheesecake is in the oven, sweets are par-boiled, ready for final cooking on Thursday. Have to get all the cleaning done before Jake gets home with his new girl….I miss you and your extra set of hands.nrnrJob, volunteer…wowow…will you still have time for school? Will you stay at the school you are at? How long will Sarah and Megan be there? Is everyone in Yoga house from the States? How’s your Spanish? nrnrOff to dust, all my love and kisses, I am thinking of you!!!nrxoxonrMamala
I´m glad thanksgiving is off to a good start, though I´m sorry I´m not there! I have a very interesting blog post on the way about my thanksgiving…it involves a live turkey that is now, no longer alive. I made my casserole, but didn´t parboil the green beans. Oops. They´ll be a little bit crunchy, eh. Pretty much everyone in Yoga house is from the states. Sarah and Megan don´t know how much longer they´ll be here, but I´m going to stay at my school. I want to do at least 10 weeks of classes. It keeps getting colder and colder here, and though my spanish is infinitely better than two weeks ago I have sooooo long to go. Say hi to Regina from me. Kisses! e
Thanksgiving wasn’t the same without you. Mama made the usual incredible feast with 27 different things; and Jake and the other Elizabeth made a fabulous pecan pie. There’s only one small piece left. MIA were Dennis, Josh, and Michael; but all the other usual suspects were there, including Nana and Susan and Bruce. Maggie came with her entourage. I’m sure your beans were lovely fresh and yummy. I’m looking forward to reading your next post.
Trust me, you’ll be able to say plenty after 10 weeks, especially with all your previous experience of learning other languages.
I read Sarah+Megan’s blog — sounds pretty scary about Señor San Marcos, I think I would have reacted the same way as you. Also, I wondered if you shared in the delightful Texaco sandwiches. It reminded me of Chinese Chainsaw Chicken. What’s up with Mama and all the nrnr? Doesn’t that mean “steak” or something in Jake-speak?
Now we’re just waiting for Jake and Elizabeth to rise from the dead. I think I heard them come home around 3am.
xox, Baba
Elizabeth,
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, it’s not the same without you. There was no card game on Thanksgiving, but the stuffing was great. I couldn’t look at San Marco. I love you, I am happy that you are happy. We are going to dinner on the boat for my birthday because I have a coupon for dinner for two….I still want to take you there for dinner….more later. I like your blogs.
xoxoxo
Nana