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Published: March 30th 2008
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typical sunday lunch
At my brother's and his wife's house for the day So, its been a while since I last updated this site and so now i have ALOT to say. I will do my best not to ramble so that it doesn't turn into a book, ok?
First of all, I am doing great--alot better than a few weeks ago, when i had to stay home sick (strep, sinus infection, and anemia!) but no worries, i am much better now, on antibiotics, and feeling great. Plus, i was not the only one--almost all 26 students came down with something or another and had to take a day or so off at least. Thankfully, SIT was EXTREMELY accomadating and totally understanding so it was no big deal that we missed some stuff.
Luckily, I started feeling better just in time for last weekend, which was my grandmothers 80th birthday party, and was held at my family's house. It was of course a huge deal: I woke up at around 10am to the smell of seafood (basically shell fish - mariscos - like clams, oyesters, and the like). My uncle had gone to the fish market early that morning to buy everything fresh, so he was in the kitchen washing and cracking
Juanpablo
Juampa grilling our asado (bar-b-que) open all the shells. My mom and her sisters were running around the house preparing the finger foods and cleaning up after my uncle who was making a huge mess. My brother was outside trying to set up the mini tent in our patio, but kept taking breaks on the shaded swing because it was already sooo hot out. I offered to help numerous times, but my mom kept telling me everything was already taken care of, so I took advantage of the free time to finish homework and make a crafty little card for my grandma.
Everyone started arriving at around 1:30pm, but we didnt sit down to eat until maybe 3:00. It started with a toast of pisco-sours (the national alcoholic drink) and cute little finger foods. Then wine and soup (which was made from the seafood dish that was to come later). Then more wine and salads and vegetables (lettuce, tomato & union, corn, and of course avocado--which they eat on EVERYTHING). Then more wine and the main course: each person received their own personal seafood baggy--in it was a bunch of different shell fish, pork, chicken, and potatos). I have never eaten seafood so fresh
fishy tomatos
My mom loves to paint ceramics...this fish is her typical style. in my life, it tasted like it had just been plucked from the ocean (not to mention, it was still in the shells and pretty sandy too!) Anyway, the afternoon was spent talking, drinking coffee and rum & cokes, and playing this cool gift game that is sort of like hot potato-hot potato, but not really...haha im not even going to try to explain it, but it involves a timer and dice and is really fun. Finally it was 7:30 and time for La Once. In Chile they dont really eat dinner: since lunch is such a big meal, dinner is called la once--which means 'the eleven', or "eleven o'clock'--even though it is usually eaten between 7 and 9pm. There are a few different stories behind 'Las Onces', but the one my professor told us was that way back when people used to drink a liquor (of course i cant remember the name) that had 11 letters in it, so at night, when people wanted to get together to drink, they used the code Tomar la once (drink the eleven) and so it got its name. Anyway, the last people left at around 10pm...needless to say it was a long,
but extremely fun day.
I have come to realize that when my family says we are going somewhere 'for lunch' i need to plan to be gone ALLLLL day. Also, when they say we are not going to stay very long or not going to come back too late, i need to remind myself where i am and NOT believe them at all! Fortunately, my family is very accomadating to my homework needs, so they suggest i bring anything i have to do with me when we go visit family on the weekends. It works out well because they are always interested in what i have to do and like to help out with translations when they can.
This past weekend was a three day holiday because of Easter. I had gone the Sunday before with my mom to Palm Sunday mass just to see what it was like: for a small, local church the turnout was impresive, as well as the time, energy and craftiness of the palm decorations, which were sold on the street for a few hundred pesos (like 50 cents) and then blessed by the priest before entering the church.
For Easter weekend I
DSC00135
lunch and homework on the beach went with my family (two brothers, two sister-in-laws, niece) and one of my aunts family (two cousins, respective boyfriends, uncle, and two nieces) to Maitencillo, a vacation beach town where tons of people go to surf b/c of the huge waves. It was very chill and fun, getting to know my extended family and going to a bunch of artesan fairs.
Overall they are a very close family that loves to spend time together and thankfully always thinks to include me not like a guest, but like a real sister or cousin...i am very happy living with them!
I have tons more to write about and new pictures, but i´m having some computer troubles lately, so i´m not sure when i will be able post my next chapter...but for now: Enjoy!!
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