12.24.06 Day 6, Mexico Trip 1

I did find my pan to cook lasagna in and spent the whole day about lasagna. Antonio and Antonia came over for dinner around 5 last night (they were supposed to be here at 4) and ate. Antonio had never had lasagna before. I sent some home with him. Then around 8 or so Rafa, Paloma, and their two girls came over, so did Nancy. I fed them all too. The pan I found to cook it in was big. I sent some home with Rafa and Paloma so that they can give some to her Aunts. They asked to “trae unos tacos parami que puedo probar” Bring some tacos home for me so that I can try. Paloma had to explain that they weren’t tacos- it was a plated dish. I am happy that there are people who request my cooking down here and don’t even know why. It makes me so happy when people eat what I cook. I don’t know if there could be a bigger compliment. (ok- you’re pretty comes in as a close second) Rafa said it is exactly as he remembered (I was missing a few ingredients like Ricotta cheese and spicey sausage, they couldn’t be found at the grocery store) He said, this is why I like you Manda- you cook. Gotta love that.

I have noticed that I am either really tall or the people down here do not consider knee height when building furniture. Most every time I sit down at a table or one of the little vanities that are here in the house, I crash my knees into them. It hurts. I have to remind myself, careful of the knees- Also, they do not consider passing traffic on sidewalks. Shoot, they barely care if there is a sidewalk there at all. The sidewalks are maybe 3’-6” wide and up tall off the road. So, if there is someone approaching you, you must step down into traffic to get around them. That is if you are able, there are often times cars parked up right against the sidewalk or on the sidewalk.

I have gotten used to bathing in a 5 gallon bucket. This is the favorite part of Helio’s day- He walks by and says “you looks so cute” I just ask him to leave. Levi on the other hand, does not like bathing in the bathroom with a 5 gallon bucket. It is a more pleasant experience if we put him in the sun to sit inside the bucket. He finds it to be a game then.

Today is Christmas- we aren’t doing anything. Helio wanted to open the three gifts we bought for one another last night after dinner. He bought me a scarf, gloves, a little wallet, and a portable mirror with a stand. I am very happy about the mirror. I have been putting my make up on in the dark- there isn’t good lighting next to the vanity- who knew. I think we will sit around the house, maybe I will sit in the sun. That is if my arms get better- I have one of those sun rashes up and down both arms. It looks and feels like my itchy elbow syndrome. Maybe I can sit in the sun but just wrap up my arms. I also burnt a bunch of my fingers AGAIN last night. I was trying to make tea for my sore throat and touched the ceramic cup and it was blazing hot. I burnt 3 fingers and had a hard time sleeping because they were throbbing so much. Helio wants to go to the Zoo today but I don’t think it will be open. He then suggested the Ruins but again, I don’t think they are open on Christmas and I don’t want to spend 3 hours driving to find out.

I don’t think that I want to spend Christmas in Mexico again. I know it is up to me to make it special but everything takes so much time to do. Plus, I can’t really cook anything because I don’t have the ingredients I need and it takes a full day to collect them all. I will just try to treat it like any other day. I sort of wanted Christmas to pass under the radar this year anyway.

Well, I am off to bask in the sun and read about the assassination of Lincoln (my book for book club this month) I love you both, Merry Christmas, I wish I was with you guys.