Last Sunday Katrina and Julio took us to a restaurant after church. It was so much fun! First notice that the entrance to the restaurant doesn't have a door like we think of doors. We walked right in through an open area. (There is a large door that covers the space that is securely locked when the restaurant is closed.) The restaurant, like the majority of Mexican restaurants, didn't have air conditioning, but it was very comfortable; it's like eating outside in the shade. The Mexicans know how to build in order to protect from the sun. Also notice where I am seated. Next to me is a beautiful garden with no window between me and the garden. Behind the white counter (in another pic) sat a parrot in a cage. He did squawk a bit--added to the atmosphere! You know you are in Mexico when...you see a large paper tequila bottle hanging from the ceiling! :)
We had carnitas which is fried pork, similar to pulled pork. The food was brought to the table, and we made our own tacos. If I haven't explained this before, tacos here are not like the ones at home. This restaurant had homemade tortillas (so much better and always served in a container that keeps them warm) and all fresh ingredients--cilantro, onions, and red and green salsas (also fresh). I can eat the green salsa, but the red is way too hot for me. Take a second look at the ice bucket. The ice "cubes" are irregular in size and shape. Some were big enough that just one filled a whole glass. One dish of pork was from pork ribs. The other was a little more "general". I took meat from both platters and even tried a piece of pork cheek (yes, the pig's cheek). It was very tender and tasted a little like ham. Lastly, we all agreed to have Horchata to drink. Mexicans usually don't drink water with their meals but have "water" that is more like juice to us. Horchata has a rice base, is slightly sweet, and I really like it.
After the restaurant, we went to the local market in Yautepec, a city of about 45,000. In the pic you might notice "Viva Mexico!" in red, green, and white on the side of the building--decorations left from Independence Day. On the way I had to get a pic of Charlie Brown on the side of a...can you guess? We walked around the city square that was shaded by one monstrous tree. Many motorcycles, a major transportation mode here, lined the area near the market entrance. (Did you spot the soap bubbles painted on the building? If you guessed laundromat, you are right!)
The market was busy and so interesting! One thing I noticed is that often vendors artfully arrange their produce. I can't say that flies or wasps/bees have been a big problem, but obviously at a market with fresh fruit, they hang around. The lady sitting down was constantly swishing the wasps away. The packages with the white "tubes" in the bottom right corner are sugar cane. We pass sugar cane fields on our way to town from El Monte
Like other fruits and vegetables, cacti are for sale. I saw a woman sitting behind her stand scraping the little spines off a cactus.
I have never tasted star fruit or passion fruit so decided to give it a try. It is best to wash/let sit for ten minutes fruits and vegetables in purified water to which "disinfecting" drops (looks like iodine) have been added. You simply cut the star fruit straight across (no peeling necessary). It is very tart--almost like a lemon but with a different flavor. It is very nutritious. Passion fruit is not at all what I expected. When the fruit is wrinkly, it is ready. You cut it open and use a spoon the eat the seeds and juice inside. The rest is more like the rind of an orange and not eaten. It's okay, but I like fruit that I can chew. This was just squishy. :) BTW--I also had a couple of tomatoes soaking in the bowl.
This is still the rainy season, but September brought more rain than usual. Normally the ground soaks up the rain because it is so porous. Standing water is not common, but we have seen a few water puddles in the morning lately because the ground is so saturated. BTW--it hardly ever rains here during the day; the rain almost always comes during the night. I had to take a pic of the cactus that fell over one night. The dry season is coming, but this cactus just couldn't hang on.
This weekend El Monte hosted a married couples conference/retreat for pastors and their wives. The large dining/conference area has no walls--there's no need. Notice the mountain view. At yesterday's lunch and this morning's breakfast I helped wash dishes. Everyone helps out at events sponsored by El Monte. I couldn't resist taking another picture of the weeds along the side of the road as I walked back to my apartment. I hadn't seen the purple flowers before. I don't know what the palm-like bush is, but it is classy!
Please pray with me.
Praises
- This weekend's retreat/conference seems to have gone very well. Pray for these special pastors and their wives who serve so devotedly.
- God has been so incredibly faithful during the last six weeks as I have been learning curriculum, culture, and just how to live in a different place.
- I have not been sick once, and I don't take that for granted. I also have been strong enough to walk up and down El Monte's mountain road.
- Even though there have been power outages in the last couple of weeks, each time the power came back on in a reasonable time. We have had no interruptions in almost a week now.
- Last week I asked for prayer for someone who needed medicine. It was obtained. :)
Please pray
- For the students to understand how the English language works and to remember all the vocabulary.
- For the students to do well on their mid-term exams and be encouraged.
- For stamina and strength for all of the staff as El Monte will be hosting a group for a whole week soon.
- That God would be honored in the work here--that souls would be saved for eternity.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
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