Food and Drink

Hello again from Oaxaca!

This is what I like about going to language school and staying in a city for more than a few days. Today I woke up and for a moment, I thought I was home... but home being here, in Oaxaca. It translated to me that I am beginning to feel normal here and getting used to all the huge changes that I have been acclimating to in the last 4 days. I think I might have found "my groove today". I wonder how that would be translated into spanish??

So last night, Mike and I met up with the other Mike (from NYC) and Jamie, a girl from NC who is staying here in the same apartment building as Mike#2. She is quiet and is only 24 but is a math teacher in Charlotte who teaches ESL students. So far she is the only other solo female traveler that I have met at my school. All the others are either guys or actually mostly just couples. The four of us set out to find the Mezcal festival, a tasting festival that happens once a year. We quickly learned though that it was too far away, so we decided to walk around the city in search of a good bar to try the mezcal. Did I write about mezcal yesterday? I think so. It's pretty much the drink of choice here and most Oaxacenos drink it with pride and swear that it is "muy diferente de tequila" (the drink of Jalisco). Well, after much searching we finally chose a cheeseball bar, and Mike and I each had 2 shots... frankly... tastes like tequila. Plus the fireball that exited my mouth after the shot went down was a unique experience but subsided quickly. We had a nice time together. They are all considerably younger than I am, and honestly I barely remember the last time that 1) I was in a noisy bar, and 2) drank a shot of anything. I am reliving my college life here and living vicariously as a 20-something. So, I didn't really get drunk or anything from the 2 shots and eventually we all left and walked back to our respective places. I'm glad to have Mike living in the same house as I am, even though it feels very safe to walk here... it's much better walking around town late at night with a guy (and by late, I mean 11-ish).

I am having a rough time sleeping here unfortunately. I don't think it has anything to do with the bed or the living arrangements, but rather the spanish that rolls around in my head when I lie down. I am unable to stop thinking about how to say things and it drives me absolutely crazy!!! My mind won't rest!!! I don't fall asleep till nearly 1am each night and still wake up at 7:30. I guess it could be worse.

Then today... first off... got out of that teacher's class. I talked with the director and now have a private hour with Andres, the teacher that I have in the morning. He is very sweet and thank goodness he speaks pretty good english. So even though we speak mainly in spanish, he will clarify things for me in english when I ask. It REALLY helps me so when I think I might know what he's saying but aren't sure... I ask in english and usually I was wrong. It's a much better deal now and the hour goes by "muy rapido"!

Later I spent some time looking at hotels and B & B's for when my mom comes. Nothing yet, but have some good leads. Tomorrow will inquire about some more. The best part of the day was the cooking class though this afternoon. Mike, Jamie and a young couple from NYC, Christina and Jeremy (both teachers... actually we're ALL teachers now that I think of it, wow!), we all walked about 20 mins. to this woman's house (as set up by the school for $15), and we cooked mole (pronounced "moe-lay". I am learning that by far the greatest thing about Oaxaca, is the food here. And mole is the main reason. There are 7 main kinds of mole, which really is just a sauce that is made from chiles. In America we think the only kind of mole is the one made with chocolate. But NOOOOO... there are yellow moles, red moles, and tonight we made the Mole Coloradito, once with these 2 certain kinds of chiles, and tomatoes, and oregano and garlic, and sesame, and thyme.... We helped cook the whole thing and then we all ate together. MUY DELICIOSO!!!!!! It was with chicken and rice and fresh tortillas... aye! I have the recipe and it wasn't too difficult, so i'd love to try to make it at home.

Lastly all 5 of us went out to a bar (I know... 2 bars in 2 nights.., my record for the last 5 years). We had a great time and I was grateful the whole time to have met all of them and have cool people (or actually "any" people) to hang out with.

Yikes, this has gotten so long again. I just have so much to tell from all of the interesting experiences I am having on this adventure. If you're still reading... thanks for sticking with me. It feels like I am in touch when I read comments... so keep them coming if you're reading this. Buenos noches mi amigos y familia!!!