I can’t remember if I’ve told this story here or not. Montse told me that when she told someone an American was coming to cook for them, they said, “Her signature dish will be ‘hamburguesa’ (hamburgers.)” Boy, were they wrong! So far I’ve cooked Italian (eggplant parmesan,) Egyptian (kushari,) Cuban (black beans and rice,) Mexican (Mexican Chicken Soup,) and…American, I guess (sauteed butternut squash with caramelized onions, sauteed spinach with garlic and hardboiled egg.) I also made a salad tonight and created an orange/ginger dressing that only Carlos and I ate. Carlos made no comment, but I liked it.
Tonight was another “we have to eat the leftovers so there will be room in the refrigerator for more food” night. Montse had chicken noodle soup and eggplant; Stef had eggplant, black beans and rice, and a tortilla; Carlos had lentils, salad, eggplant, and a tortilla; and I had kushari, eggplant, and salad. We all had chocolate pudding for dessert.
I worked on the mural today. Here is a picture of my progress.
I also practiced with my ball. I am getting better. I gave up on the regular juggling that Carlos wanted me to learn. He knows how because he did Workaway with some hippies and they taught him. He gave me some balls to practice with but I was awful. I mean really bad. So I gave them back.
Today, while I was practicing, the light was behind me and I was watching my shadow. Suddenly, I saw my hand move the ball from my palm to the back of my hand in a fluid motion that was EXACTLY what you want in contact juggling. I gasped so loud the others, who were in the kitchen, came to see what was wrong. I told them nothing and tried to show what I was reacting to. Of course I could no longer do it. But I am starting to have hope that I might master this thing by November. Carlos, of course, could do in two minutes what it has taken me two months to even approach. But that’s okay. Hard work can make up for a lack of natural ability.
Tomorrow we are going into Cangas de Narcea, which is the nearest large town. It was my other option for getting to Pola de Allande. There isn’t a bus from there to here, but it is only 25 kilometers or so. I could have taken a taxi or Stef could have come and gotten me. I’m happy with what I did though.
Oh, and on Saturday we will have a pilgrim! She is from Estonia, which might explain why she is walking in this weather. The other day it was 63 degrees, but lately the high has been in the 40’s. Tonight the low is 38 and on Sunday the low is going to be 25. 25! What am I going to do? Ya’ll, there is not a single moment I am awake that I am not cold. I warned the others, once it gets that low the only part of Juanita they are going to see is her “nariz.”
I knew this was going to happen. In Texas right now it is spring. I guess it is here too, but spring here is winter there. So by coming here I made winter last two extra months. And I don’t like winter much. It will be a real shock to me when I go back to the states and it is hot. I will have gone straight from winter to summer. I’m hoping to get some spring in April.
Mom was like, “You didn’t bring clothes for that kind of weather, did you?” Actually, I brought two pairs of long underwear, my silks and my regulars, and I figure I will wear both. I don’t have any gloves and my hat is just a ball cap, so she is in part correct. The one I’m worried about is Norbert, the canary. He is still on the terrace, and today he was all fluffed up. Norbert is cold too. I don’t think Montse brought him in tonight; I hope he will be okay.
Montse said that when she has taken him places before he took three days before he started singing. Here, he was singing the next day. If I ever settle in one place again, and I will, eventually, I’m getting a canary.
I was going to use the tortillas de trigo (Trigo is a type of flour; nasty stuff, if you ask me) to make something but Carlos and Stef have eaten most of them. Carlos was unfamiliar with tortillas, so Stef told him to dip it in water then microwave it. So he did.
He first wore it as a hat(it was that crisp and the black part stuck up like the crown of a sombrero) then ate around the burned part.
Today Montse gave me a shopping bag, and I realized I brought nothing from America as a thank you gift. I feel awful. Mom will have to help me think of something Texan and then send it here. I’ll get the address from Stef. I don’t think I could sneak it.
Well, that’s all that has happened today, guys. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Travels and Adventures with Jane 