A few weeks ago, Hugo and I were having a lazy Sunday. We were lying around the house in our comfy clothes when Hugo said, "There is a book I want to buy. It will help me learn more English. Let's go to the mall and buy it." Encouraged by his enthusiasm to improve his English, I jumped at the idea. It wasn't until we were getting into the car I realized just how "trashy" we looked. Hugo had on a tank top with holes all over the back (perhaps a hungry bug got trapped in his dresser drawer?). My shirt didn't even match my shorts. I voiced my concerns to Hugo, but he wasn't fazed. In all honesty, half the population of the mall would probably be dressed just as bad or worse than us. Eh, who cares. We'll just go quick and come right back.
Well, since our shopping outing was planned pretty spur-of-the-moment, we didn't stop to think about the fact that it was 5pm on Sunday. By the time we got to the mall, the bookstore was closed. "Since we have driven this far, how about we go a little bit further? We are close to the Galaria, aren't we? The Galaria is in a nicer part of town. I bet their stores are open later," I said to Hugo. He was hesitant, but finally agreed. The Galaria is in a nicer part of town, much nicer. Even when I was living and working in America, there's no way I could have shopped at the stores in the Galaria. That mall is like Rodeo Drive and Park Avenue rolled into one. It wasn't until we were riding the excalator from the parking garage to the first floor (and receiving lots of disgusted stares) that we remembered how we were dressed. I wouldn't be surprised if the security guards threw us out. We quickly located the bookstore and told them which book we were looking for. They didn't have it! Unbelievable! We had driven all the way across the city, gone to two different malls, endured ridicule and were going home without the one thing we wanted. Accepting defeat, we started home.
As we got back to our neighborhood, I suggested we stop at the cyber cafe. Perhaps we could buy the book on Amazon.com. Sure enough, they had it. Now, we just had to decide if we wanted to pay the shipping to get it here. As we were discussing it, Lucy (the girl who runs the cyber cafe and has become a good friend) asked us if we would like to stay for supper. She said her husband (who lives primarily in the USA and travels back and forth) was here. She was planning a little party for family and friends. Would we like to join them? There was plenty of food.
Hugo and I played the "what do you think" game for a few minutes. Eventually, against my gut feeling, I accepted. One thing I've learned is...when someone offers food, you accept. However, accepting food prepared by another person is risky. Eating food that has been made with water (or rinsed in water) will make me sick faster than you can imagine. Usually, I've found ways around it. There have been many a times when I have had to accept food I had no intention of eating. I always made sure Hugo was served the same thing. After he finished his portion, I would take his empty plate and give him my full one. Although this strategy may be affecting his waist line, I (knock on wood) haven't gotten sick yet. Lucy was serving paella - rice with vegetables, beef, chicken and shrimp - and said it would be ready in an hour.
Well, the hour turned into almost two hours. We sat around, feeling slightly awkward. There were probably twenty people floating in and out of the house. However, we only knew three of them. Eventually, it was time to eat. I, along with everyone else, was served a heaping plate of paella. There was no way around it; I was going to have to dive in. I just hoped the water used to cook the rice was boiled long enough. The paella was really good! I told Lucy she could come cook at my house any day! (And, I never got sick! Yea!)
After everyone had finished eating, we were all called into the living room. The lights were dimmed and Javier (Lucy's husband) wheeled out a huge cake, ocvered in chocolate and strawberries. Javier said, "I've called you all in here so we can celebrate....Jessica's birthday!" Everyone turned to look at me and started clapping.
I stuttered, "But...it's not...I..."
Javier looked over and whispered, "It doesn't matter. I just needed an excuse to buy a cake!"
Well, I'll play along with that! I grinned and directed the choir as they sang happy birthday. It was a great night- a bit long (we finally got back to our house 7 hours after we left it that afternoon) and we were totally and completely stuffed to the gills - but great. Hugo and I don't really socialize much, so it was fun to be with so many people (who weren't family) and make new firends.
A photo of our hosts:
Javier, Lucy, their daughter Susan, and Maya (Lucy's sister)
Well, since our shopping outing was planned pretty spur-of-the-moment, we didn't stop to think about the fact that it was 5pm on Sunday. By the time we got to the mall, the bookstore was closed. "Since we have driven this far, how about we go a little bit further? We are close to the Galaria, aren't we? The Galaria is in a nicer part of town. I bet their stores are open later," I said to Hugo. He was hesitant, but finally agreed. The Galaria is in a nicer part of town, much nicer. Even when I was living and working in America, there's no way I could have shopped at the stores in the Galaria. That mall is like Rodeo Drive and Park Avenue rolled into one. It wasn't until we were riding the excalator from the parking garage to the first floor (and receiving lots of disgusted stares) that we remembered how we were dressed. I wouldn't be surprised if the security guards threw us out. We quickly located the bookstore and told them which book we were looking for. They didn't have it! Unbelievable! We had driven all the way across the city, gone to two different malls, endured ridicule and were going home without the one thing we wanted. Accepting defeat, we started home.
As we got back to our neighborhood, I suggested we stop at the cyber cafe. Perhaps we could buy the book on Amazon.com. Sure enough, they had it. Now, we just had to decide if we wanted to pay the shipping to get it here. As we were discussing it, Lucy (the girl who runs the cyber cafe and has become a good friend) asked us if we would like to stay for supper. She said her husband (who lives primarily in the USA and travels back and forth) was here. She was planning a little party for family and friends. Would we like to join them? There was plenty of food.
Hugo and I played the "what do you think" game for a few minutes. Eventually, against my gut feeling, I accepted. One thing I've learned is...when someone offers food, you accept. However, accepting food prepared by another person is risky. Eating food that has been made with water (or rinsed in water) will make me sick faster than you can imagine. Usually, I've found ways around it. There have been many a times when I have had to accept food I had no intention of eating. I always made sure Hugo was served the same thing. After he finished his portion, I would take his empty plate and give him my full one. Although this strategy may be affecting his waist line, I (knock on wood) haven't gotten sick yet. Lucy was serving paella - rice with vegetables, beef, chicken and shrimp - and said it would be ready in an hour.
Well, the hour turned into almost two hours. We sat around, feeling slightly awkward. There were probably twenty people floating in and out of the house. However, we only knew three of them. Eventually, it was time to eat. I, along with everyone else, was served a heaping plate of paella. There was no way around it; I was going to have to dive in. I just hoped the water used to cook the rice was boiled long enough. The paella was really good! I told Lucy she could come cook at my house any day! (And, I never got sick! Yea!)
After everyone had finished eating, we were all called into the living room. The lights were dimmed and Javier (Lucy's husband) wheeled out a huge cake, ocvered in chocolate and strawberries. Javier said, "I've called you all in here so we can celebrate....Jessica's birthday!" Everyone turned to look at me and started clapping.
I stuttered, "But...it's not...I..."
Javier looked over and whispered, "It doesn't matter. I just needed an excuse to buy a cake!"
Well, I'll play along with that! I grinned and directed the choir as they sang happy birthday. It was a great night- a bit long (we finally got back to our house 7 hours after we left it that afternoon) and we were totally and completely stuffed to the gills - but great. Hugo and I don't really socialize much, so it was fun to be with so many people (who weren't family) and make new firends.
A photo of our hosts:
Javier, Lucy, their daughter Susan, and Maya (Lucy's sister)
Jessica, sounds like alot of fun!! Food, friends, AND a chocolate cake. Doesn't get much better than that--unless you had thought to change your clothes before you went out in public. That will LEARN YAH! HA....
ReplyDeleteI just about got sick myself thinking "oh crap I forgot jessica's birthday" I bet the cake was awesome!! Glad you had a great day. So excited to see you at the end of November. Our house is now on the market - lots of work, but hoping we get lots of people to see it! check it out if you want to www.265southview.com.
ReplyDeletetake care, jessica! Hugs to you.