I may not sleep tonight. This morning my landlord called and invited me to come over and make bread with her. I said if she was going to make bread I'd make soup for us for dinner. So I threw all of the ingredients into the crockpot and headed down to the store to grab a few extras.
There was very little traffic because it is a national holiday. (Soldier's Day) I figured it was a perfect time to drive around and figure out where the sushi place is. I have passed it a thousand times and eaten there once. I've been told directions, and looked on line, but I can't find the darn place! So I headed toward where I thought it was (learned later that I was way off base) and came across a place called "Pan y Mas" (Bread and more). Something told me to stop and grab some bread for dinner which was good - you'll see why in a minute. I asked the cashier where the sushi place was and was very confused when she replied that it was upstairs. I said no, the big one on the corner that has 2 for 1 every Tuesday and Thursday. She looked very confused, which should have been my first hint that I was a long way off.
I figured since I was already in the building I might as well check out the place upstairs. It was pretty cool. It had the best service I have ever received in my time in Honduras. Of course, I rarely go out to dinner, so my experience is limited. But it seems like the servers here don't seem to care very much about customer service. This guy was great. He was quick with several recommendations and flexible about altering things to be accommodating. He cleared away my straw wrapper, topped off my water, and checked back to be sure everything was fine. I was impressed.
In the US I used to go out to dinner by myself frequently. It was one of my favorite pastimes. I have never done so in Honduras. But today seemed safe and I enjoyed myself. I'll keep searching for the 2 for 1 place and if I ever find it I may treat myself again.
Unfortunately, I still have a cough and the stomach part of my flu. So yesterday I got about 5 bites of my neighbor's soup before I got sick and the sushi - lets just say my system is working overtime. I had to head for home urgently.
On the way back the guy who fills in holes on the dirt road was out working. I had used my last bit of cash to tip the server, so I had nothing to give him but I rolled down my window and said, "Muchas gracias!". It is possible I am fooling myself, but he smiled a huge smile and seemed just as happy as the times I thank him with cash. He's a hard worker.
When I got home Hermida said the bread was still cooking, but I should come over and try out her new espresso machine with her. I told her I can't drink espresso or I'll be up all night. We spent an hour figuring out the machine and then I drank some powerful cuban espresso. I may not sleep for days.
We had fun playing with her new bread machine too, but with less successful results. First Hermida was afraid to open the bread machine because the power light was still on. I showed her that the timer was off and convinced her to open the machine. I can't really describe what we found inside. It tasted okay, but eventually we figured out that she added baking powder instead of yeast (all of the directions were in English). So we had some heavy bread.
The espresso machine was almost a disappointment but we finally figured it out. Why oh why do I never learn that my body was not made to drink coffee?
I brought over the soup and bread just before our nightly downpour. We had a nice dinner. I got a lot of compliments on my cooking. Everyone had seconds except me. I was happy that my stomach accepted one bowl, since it hasn't properly digested any food in a week. Now I won't hesitate to cook for them again. They even raved about how good it smelled!
Although I may never be invited to cook for them again. The coffee got my jaw flapping and I think I kept them up past their normal bedtimes. I came home to a kitchen full of mosquitoes because I accidentally left the kitchen light on while I was gone. Not sure how they got in, but they took over.
Well folks. Hope you sleep well. I'll keep the light on for you.
