Today Karla and I went shopping downtown "Al Centro". It was a fun day out. As we sat and ate lunch I thought about how little our language barrier affects us. I am learning a lot from her because until yesterday I thought she really didn't know English, and also because she talks really fast - so fast that everyone here jokes with me about it. Yesterday I asked her in Spanish, "What is the difference between 'esquina' and 'calle'?" and she answered me in english - Esquina is "corner' and calle is "street". I was freaked out - she says she doesn't know English, but she knows the word for corner????? Now she admits she does know some English, but she didn't do as well in her English classes as some other students so she lacks confidence.
Before we left to go shopping I closed my bedroom door because the rest of the house was full of mosquitoes - one of the first new words I learned was zancudos (mosquitoes). Anyway, now my room is locked from the inside. We can't figure out how to open it. We tried jimmying a credit card, but it didn't work. The good news is that we sprayed the rest of the house so we are temporarily almost free of mosquitoes. But we might die of the fumes.
Today I bought some cool new shoes. We went to a store that had Izaac Mizrahi and Steve Madden and a bunch of other name brand shoes for about $15. The ladies here wear high heels all of the time and I brought flip flops, sneakers and Crocs. So I bought sandals that tie around the ankle with a wedged cork heel. Karla bought really cute little flats. Then we got matching shirts to wear for the soccer game tomorrow - El Salvador vs Honduras. I got shampoo here because I didn't want to have the weight in my suitcase. Karla had to help me with conditioner. I almost bought the kind that you leave in your hair by accident.
We looked for a birthday present for Jose - can't say what it is in case he reads this, but we didn't buy it yet anyway. And we went to a panaderia for homemade bread and sweet rolls. It was fun to spend the day together. Reminded me that I don't spend enough time playing with my girlfriends when I'm at home.
Nothing profound to write today. I didn't save the world or feed hungry children and I didn't take any pictures, although al centro is cool - tons of stores that all sell the same things basically. We are both still looking for new bibles. We went to 2 stores, but no luck. I need a bilingual one and Karla needs a special one for herself with a zipper since one of her daughters ripped some pages out of hers. I am thinking I will continue to look and get one for her as a gift if I can find a nice one. I know her taste well enough - what a perfect gift!
Time to eat dinner - tortillas with eggs, queso fresco, avocados, beans and mantequilla (which literally translated means butter, but in this case it is salty sour cream - I love it!). Last night I wanted to take a picture of our dinner, but Karla had one of her college friends here and I was embarrassed. It was like artwork. A plate of lettuce with plum tomatoes hollowed out and filled with tuna salad. There were radishes and all colors of peppers placed carefully around the plate. It was beautiful and tasty. We also had part of the broccoli from the market and they teased me that we were eating part of my head. The broccoli was steamed, then tossed in a mixture of spicy vinegar and mayonaise and lime juice. Our starch was rice cooked with peppers and pieces of tomato. My contribution to the meal was the refresca (drink). Karla showed me how to make homemade lemonde with raw sugar, water and lemon juice that comes in the squeezable lemon like we have in the states, only it tastes fresh. Mmmmmm... my mouth is watering thinking of it! We had horchata for lunch and Karla said she will teach to make horchata too.
Time to go help with dinner. Tomorrow, back to the church for the breakfast program. Oh! I forgot to say that last night we went to a very Americanized mall. We stopped for ice cream at Baskin Robbins and they only had 12 flavors!!!!!! I was so surprised. I tried to explain that Baskin Robbins always has 32 flavors. I think they thought I was crazy. First time I ever went to Baskin Robbins and didn't get Rocky Road in my whole life! And the earth quake 2 nights ago was a 5.7 but Karla and Jose didn't even feel it. They were dressing for bed. I was in my bed reading. It felt like the bed turned into a water bed for a few seconds. But it didn't make the news at all. The epicenter was North of my city.
I also thought I should clarify - I do not live in Los Pinos. Los Pinos is across the street from the church. More and more families from Los Pinos are attending church each Sunday and many kids are coming for the breakfast program on weekdays. Los Pinos is a very poor community. It is cool to see everyone blending together so nicely from different communities.
Where I live is very nice and it is much more safe. I think the people are beginning to recognize the gringa who is walking around. (People here use the word "gringo/gringa" with no intention of being insulting - it just means that it is a person from the states. It's even on the tv and the radio - Honduras lost to the "gringos" Saturday in futbol.)
Aunt Cath - thank you for passing along the address. It is great to hear everyone's comments and insight. Thank you for reading!
