Epicuriosity

Tuesday May 25th

We woke up to roosters yelling all over the town. What a great sound! Can you tell I’m a city girl? Of course, it probably would have sucked if we had been trying to sleep in.
My cousins were peeling guava they picked from the tree, warming the milk from their cows and cooking eggs from their chickens. This family barely has enough for their family to eat and here they are offering us everything they have. They even offered us their last piece of bread (and bread is a treat out here). Of course I didn’t take it, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh guava juice and eggs.
After breakfast we picked up two uncles and headed to my aunt’s house which was even futher out in the country. Of course I met even more cousins and the rum started flowing. It was only 10:30am! haha
We spent most of the day there and most of the time was spent eating, napping and eating again. You can’t turn your head without more food being put on your plate. I think I ate three servings of everything. Mark is in food heaven. Roast pork, tamales, beans and rice and rum for pretty much every meal. I’ve noticed people usually cook in some kind of outdoor kitchen. My dad says it’s because it would make the house too hot (no air conditioner) and it makes the house smell. My aunt cooked us the best meal so far and it was all done from a tiny stove in a run down storage barn. wow. I’m no longer going to complain about my lack of cabinet space.

After a nap we sat out on the front porch in rocking chairs and watched the horses, 1950’s cars and bikes drive through this tiny town. Another beautiful day filled with family, practicing our Spanglish and eating so much we can’t move. Here are some pictures of my aunt’s street out in the country

We went to a hot sulfer spring just at the edge of town. It was pretty stinky, but the warm water felt soooo good. I wish I had brought my shampoo. haha It’s the only way I will get a hot shower out here.
On the way back to my aunt’s my dad stopped so I could take a picture of a man plowing his field with two ox.I got giddy when I saw it. I thought that kind of thing only happened in Amish country. I’m sure the man thought I was a crazy American tourist (yes, I know I am), but I just had to get a picture of that.

Towards the evening we continued on to another uncle’s house. More food. Ugh. I still felt sick from eating so much at the last house. How am I suppose to squeeze this down? I managed to eat enough that I wouldn’t offend my uncle, but he still got a little upset when I wouldn’t eat the goat. Mark loved it, but I just can’t do it. Especially not when ten minutes earlier I was petting one at the neighbor’s house.

The rain started. More rocking on the porch (I love this part of the day) and wouldn’t you believe it….10 more cousins show up!! Holy frack what a ginormous and very loving family I have!