fooooood

My update (for now) is that this week I ate chapulines... aka GRASSHOPPERS! I was sitting with one of my volunteers, Emelie, chatting with the woman whose house we were eating lunch at, when we noticed that a small plastic bag on the table seemed to be wiggling. Reason: it was full of live grasshoppers. We started discussing the common Oaxacan delicacy, and our host decided that she would cook them up so that we could try a few! Upon hearing this, we realized that one of us should eat one if she was going to cook up a whole batch on our account. We agreed that to embark upon our first grasshopper eating experience together. We took off the legs, as instructed, served them up with a bit of tortilla and hot salsa, and went for it! Upon reflection... it was just a little crunchy. I'd like, by the end of the summer, to be able to eat one with less of a tortilla and hot sauce security blanket. We'll see.

 

To continue on the food theme.... I have been enjoying most of my food here in Oaxaca, especially what I eat when I am out in communities with my volunteers. They all eat with different families in their towns everyday, so the families are usually pretty excited and try and make something special the one day the volunteers eat with them. I've been eating handmade tortillas at every meal, pan dulce, and... spaghetti. I have honestly eaten more meals of spaghetti than I have tacos. I've decided that one of my possible future careers is to open an actual authentic Mexican restaurant, and for breakfast I will serve spaghetti, salty cheese, and tortillas. To wash it down, a nice cup of warm whole milk and Nescafe... what better way to start off your day?

I'll try and write an actual update about my life/job here tomorrow night! If I don't get around to it, you can fill your time spent missing me this week cooking up grasshoppers and spaghetti tacos.