I think that CC must be the most popular person in all of Manizales. Everywhere we go at least 3 new people find her. Even when she’s driving, if we’re at a stop sign someone will holler out to her. It’s weird but cool. Like being with a celebrity.
Today was a first though. Things are always rather tranquil at the house of CC. Today, while Jack was still napping, and after CC came back from visiting her aunt and uncle, CC, her mother and I were sitting around the table when out of the corner of my eye I saw a car pull up the driveway. “Un Coche.” I said. “Donde?” they replied. “In the driveway.” (yeah, my Spanish is not THAT advanced. C’mon!)
CC went to the front door and peeked through the key hole. Then she opened the door and who should come into the house but 8 people! I recognized CC’s sister-in-law and los ninos. The entourage consisted of her parent’s and siblings. Two sisters and 1 brother. They were a lot of fun. I never felt so at home. If you’ve ever been to a meal or event with my family (and my extended family) then you know what I mean. It got real loud, real quick. Just as we were getting settled in, the door bell rang. The oldest sister (we are so much a like, I swear we were separated at birth) and I went to answer it and try to figure out how to open the door. Yes, I already told you, it IS that complicated.
Three women were standing there and Sis and I were like, ‘yeah?’ They started talking rapid fire and I began to slowly back away. Were they trying to sell us something? Convert us to some new religion? CC’s mom beckoned them in. Apparently they are college friends of CC and they just dropped in to say hi before she left. Now it got really loud. Mom – you would have loved it!
After much visitation and lots of hugs and photos someone said that magic word, OBLEAS. If you aren’t familiar with obleas, scan down and read about them. It’s worth it. Everyone packed into their respective cars and the plan was to meet on the hill where one can find the best obleas. When we got there, the car with CC’s friends arrived, but the car with the relatives was nowhere to be found. Thus begins the freak-out of 2008. CC had her friends calling on their cell phones trying to get in touch with her sister-in-law. For 20 minutes we can’t get a hold of anyone. Finally someone picks up SIL’s phone. She’s left it at the house! Turn that freak out meter up a notch. CC calls her brother but the reception is really bad and the friends are frantically dialing numbers. Well, somebody got a hold of someone. The Relative Car stopped for gas. Then SIL realized her phone was at the house, so they went back for it. By then it was getting dark, so they decided to drive home (they live about 90 minutes away).
Well, the freak-out cut into prime oblea eating, thus, we went to a restaurant to eat. Little Mermaid had a hotdog, on a bun with ketchup. The Dude ordered empanadas (not as good as the Iglesias. Maybe they were touched by G-d?) I told the girls that I wanted something authentic and Colombian. I ended up with a plate with a layer dish on it. Think pizza but oblong and no sauce. The dough was a huge smooshed plantain that was lightly fried. Then add a thin layer of patty (I think beef), add some bacon (oh yeah, this was SO NOT VEGAN!), cheese, shredded chicken and… wait for it… SHRIMP! Oh my…
I’m not sure what it is called but I ate it all. And it was good. And I don’t even feel guilty.
Plus the other ladies had them too. Except CC. She ate a hotdog.
Little Dude was inconsolable for most of the meal. We tried to feed him and offer him drinks. The Dude walked with him. I held him and walked around. I put him in the sling. Dude changed his diaper. NOTHING WORKED. Then one of the girls offered to walk around the restaurant with him. TA FREAKIN’ DA
She must be a witch. Because she cast some sort of magic spell over that baby, and the rest of the night she was the only one who could make him happy. If she is a witch, she’s a nice one… like Hermione. And she’s pretty.
After our dank (that means good, rookies.) dinner the Lady in Red (she was the friend in the Red Suit) and Little Mermaid and I walked across the street to a mini-mart. We looked at the cool Colombian candy. She told us all about the different treats. Including one that is made right there in Manizales. Little Mermaid picked a couple of things out and I actually paid. I understood the cashier and everything. I even gave exact change! I KNOW! Snaps to me.
Now we are home again. We are all going to bed. Tomorrow evening we are going to the Lady in Red’s house for dinner, or something. And I think CC is going to take us shopping again. I still need to buy coffee!!!
Oh, by the way, Juan Valdez is invading AMERICA! You lucky ducks in New York City are the first to be blessed with a Juan Valdez Café. I highly suggest you go and get some kick @$$ coffee. It puts Starbucks to SHAME!
Ok, more later!
Ciao
Showing posts with label south america. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south america. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
VillaMaria and Miss Universe
How in the world did Ms. Kosovo with her alien-esque hair style make it to the top 10?
Yeah. I’m watching Miss Universe as I type.
ANYWAY!
I left you yesterday when we were on our way to a playground. It was small and cute. There is A LOT of bamboo growing wild all over Manizales. There was a cute patch along side the park. On the other side of the playground was the neighborhood Iglesia (church). There seem to be small Iglesias everywhere. We saw people walking to the service from the neighborhood. CC attended the service and we stood outside on the church patio with many others listening to the priest. The pews were packed! Also, outside, some church ladies were selling food. I ate the BEST empanadas in the world! They put mine to SHAME! So good! Once it started to rain we, CC’s sister in law the kids and the Dude and I, headed for home. The service was nearly complete and when we got home, CC soon followed.
Lunch was a Colombian version of spaghetti and chicken. A chicken broth soup was the precursor to the meal. We drank a traditional Colombian drink made from tomates de arbol. I know it sounds like tomatoes, but it was white and tomates de arbol are a local fruit – not our vegetables.
The Little Dude was cranky, even though he ate a lot, and when I tried to get him to sleep, he absolutely refused. So the 11 of us packed into 2 small cars and headed for the country. We hadn’t really counted on the rain, so our adventure turned into a car tour. We did stop at the main square of the Villa Maria. The kiddies got a mini bus ride that was powered by Fred’s two feet. Fred being the guy pushing the kid size bus around the square 3 times. Then the rain picked up and we were off to our next adventure.
CC showed us the schools in which she taught, as well as the local university she attended. We drove through the country and downtown Manizales. We are planning to walk around and take pictures another day. However the rain did not keep us from the highest point of the city. The rain subsided so we were able to walk around and I managed some pictures of the stunning view.
On to the food!
Obleas: A layered tortilla size treat. SO GOOD! First you take a flat round crispy wafer-like tortilla. Smear caramel sauce on one half and strawberry sauce on the other half. Then sprinkle unsweetened coconut shavings on half and a light mild crumbly cheese on the other half. Top this with another wafer. Add some fruit, sliced strawberries and cut brevas (a fig type fruit) in caramel sauce. Finally, lightly drizzle a white sweet sauce over the fruit and viola! Perfectamente!
Bunuelos: An egg shaped donut type cake - deep fried like a donut, but so light and just a hint of sweetness. Very very good!
Kumis: A yogurt type beverage. Not my favourite drink. It has a slight fermented taste similar to kefir (found in health food stores). Kunis must be an acquired taste.
Ok, I was typing this up as I watched the Miss Universe pageant on Colombian TV.
Miss Venezuela? Are you kidding me? It was TOTALLY between Miss Mexico and Miss Colombia. How Miss Russia beat out Mexico, with her unbrushed hair covering her face, I’ll never understand. The competition was between Mexico, USA (my unbiased opinion – even AFTER she fell flat on her booty), and COLOMBIA! Cha! Once USA and Mexico were out, it HAD to be Miss Colombia!
In the words of GOB (Arrested Development – rent it, watch it, love it) “C’mon!”
With that rant you know how my day ended. We came home, full from our food adventures and watched the pageant. Now, in my disgust I’m going to bed.
CHA!
Yeah. I’m watching Miss Universe as I type.
ANYWAY!
I left you yesterday when we were on our way to a playground. It was small and cute. There is A LOT of bamboo growing wild all over Manizales. There was a cute patch along side the park. On the other side of the playground was the neighborhood Iglesia (church). There seem to be small Iglesias everywhere. We saw people walking to the service from the neighborhood. CC attended the service and we stood outside on the church patio with many others listening to the priest. The pews were packed! Also, outside, some church ladies were selling food. I ate the BEST empanadas in the world! They put mine to SHAME! So good! Once it started to rain we, CC’s sister in law the kids and the Dude and I, headed for home. The service was nearly complete and when we got home, CC soon followed.
Lunch was a Colombian version of spaghetti and chicken. A chicken broth soup was the precursor to the meal. We drank a traditional Colombian drink made from tomates de arbol. I know it sounds like tomatoes, but it was white and tomates de arbol are a local fruit – not our vegetables.
The Little Dude was cranky, even though he ate a lot, and when I tried to get him to sleep, he absolutely refused. So the 11 of us packed into 2 small cars and headed for the country. We hadn’t really counted on the rain, so our adventure turned into a car tour. We did stop at the main square of the Villa Maria. The kiddies got a mini bus ride that was powered by Fred’s two feet. Fred being the guy pushing the kid size bus around the square 3 times. Then the rain picked up and we were off to our next adventure.
CC showed us the schools in which she taught, as well as the local university she attended. We drove through the country and downtown Manizales. We are planning to walk around and take pictures another day. However the rain did not keep us from the highest point of the city. The rain subsided so we were able to walk around and I managed some pictures of the stunning view.
On to the food!
Obleas: A layered tortilla size treat. SO GOOD! First you take a flat round crispy wafer-like tortilla. Smear caramel sauce on one half and strawberry sauce on the other half. Then sprinkle unsweetened coconut shavings on half and a light mild crumbly cheese on the other half. Top this with another wafer. Add some fruit, sliced strawberries and cut brevas (a fig type fruit) in caramel sauce. Finally, lightly drizzle a white sweet sauce over the fruit and viola! Perfectamente!
Bunuelos: An egg shaped donut type cake - deep fried like a donut, but so light and just a hint of sweetness. Very very good!
Kumis: A yogurt type beverage. Not my favourite drink. It has a slight fermented taste similar to kefir (found in health food stores). Kunis must be an acquired taste.
Ok, I was typing this up as I watched the Miss Universe pageant on Colombian TV.
Miss Venezuela? Are you kidding me? It was TOTALLY between Miss Mexico and Miss Colombia. How Miss Russia beat out Mexico, with her unbrushed hair covering her face, I’ll never understand. The competition was between Mexico, USA (my unbiased opinion – even AFTER she fell flat on her booty), and COLOMBIA! Cha! Once USA and Mexico were out, it HAD to be Miss Colombia!
In the words of GOB (Arrested Development – rent it, watch it, love it) “C’mon!”
With that rant you know how my day ended. We came home, full from our food adventures and watched the pageant. Now, in my disgust I’m going to bed.
CHA!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bogota
Ahhh.... Vacation time!
We are finally in Bogota, Colombia! Let me just say, the Colombian people are not only beautiful, but they are so welcoming and kind. Nearly everyone here speaks English, and WELL! Almost no hint of an accent. It sort of makes me feel ashamed, because it seems the only people who are bilingual in the USA are immigrants or 1st and 2nd generation Americans. I'm really motivated to learn Spanish now!
The flight from DC to Colombia was LONG and hard. It was totally full and I was stuck in a middle seat, with the Little Dude, away from the Little Mermaid and the Big Dude. Actually, I was in the row across from them. And there was THIS WOMAN! Argh! Yes, I'm talking about YOU Ms. 25C! She was sitting with my family and she was travelling with her son, who was a little younger than the Little Dude - maybe 18 months. She looked like a lizard and her son looked like a hobit. I only say this, b/c she never offered me her seat. So the Big Dude and I had to communicate by shouting over her and passing things infront of her. PLUS, the Little Dude had to stay with me the ENTIRE 5 1/2 HOUR FLIGHT! He was crying b/c he wanted to be with his sister and daddy so I gave him to the Big Dude at the beginning of the flight and the flight attendants told us that due to the number of oxygen masks, there could only be 1 lap child in a 3 seat row. AND since Gollum and her spawn were there, THE LITTLE DUDE COULD NOT! Now you see my frustration!
Well, it's over now. We are in our BEAUTIFUL hotel. We breezed through customs. The Colombians really cater to families, so we were placed in the short line. Woo-hoo! And since we had not any checked bags (thank you - idiot american run airlines), we were able to walk right past the throngs of people waiting for their items, and right into the capable hands of our escort from the hotel. SO GREAT!
We checked in and got to our room and CRASHED! The room is huge and the bed is comfortable. The Little Mermaid is still asleep and the Dudes are at breakfast. I’m about to hop in the shower.
We have to get back to the airport for our flight to Manizales, Colombia. So excited! This leg of the trip is only an hour and then we will be able to relax with our friends in the city on the mountain!
More later!
Adios!
We are finally in Bogota, Colombia! Let me just say, the Colombian people are not only beautiful, but they are so welcoming and kind. Nearly everyone here speaks English, and WELL! Almost no hint of an accent. It sort of makes me feel ashamed, because it seems the only people who are bilingual in the USA are immigrants or 1st and 2nd generation Americans. I'm really motivated to learn Spanish now!
The flight from DC to Colombia was LONG and hard. It was totally full and I was stuck in a middle seat, with the Little Dude, away from the Little Mermaid and the Big Dude. Actually, I was in the row across from them. And there was THIS WOMAN! Argh! Yes, I'm talking about YOU Ms. 25C! She was sitting with my family and she was travelling with her son, who was a little younger than the Little Dude - maybe 18 months. She looked like a lizard and her son looked like a hobit. I only say this, b/c she never offered me her seat. So the Big Dude and I had to communicate by shouting over her and passing things infront of her. PLUS, the Little Dude had to stay with me the ENTIRE 5 1/2 HOUR FLIGHT! He was crying b/c he wanted to be with his sister and daddy so I gave him to the Big Dude at the beginning of the flight and the flight attendants told us that due to the number of oxygen masks, there could only be 1 lap child in a 3 seat row. AND since Gollum and her spawn were there, THE LITTLE DUDE COULD NOT! Now you see my frustration!
Well, it's over now. We are in our BEAUTIFUL hotel. We breezed through customs. The Colombians really cater to families, so we were placed in the short line. Woo-hoo! And since we had not any checked bags (thank you - idiot american run airlines), we were able to walk right past the throngs of people waiting for their items, and right into the capable hands of our escort from the hotel. SO GREAT!
We checked in and got to our room and CRASHED! The room is huge and the bed is comfortable. The Little Mermaid is still asleep and the Dudes are at breakfast. I’m about to hop in the shower.
We have to get back to the airport for our flight to Manizales, Colombia. So excited! This leg of the trip is only an hour and then we will be able to relax with our friends in the city on the mountain!
More later!
Adios!
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