Oh Victoria!

Well, once again I've embarked on a few new adventures! Last night I had the privilege of helping Esmeralda make baleadas (Esmeralda owns the house that I am living in). Baleadas are a probably the most popular local food. They are flour tortillas filled with refried black beans, cheese (a white, tart cheese--nothing like at home) and sometimes eggs. They are delicious, in fact I have heard that several of the teachers at Mayatan have lived on them in the past. I don't think it would be hard to do, they are quite tasty (also very inexpensive about $2.00)!

We also had the most incredible rainstorm yesterday. I don't think I have ever seen it rain quite like that! The thunder was so loud that we thought there were bombs or power breakers blowing, we couldn't find any, we're pretty sure it was thunder. It was crazy! We were running around the house trying to shut windows to keep the rain out. It didn't really help, I swear it just kind of seeps through the walls! About halfway through the storm the power went out. It was pretty fun, making the baleadas by candle light (fortunately the stove is gas). The power stayed out for about half an hour, then the lights came on, we ate, then sat down to watch "Victoria", Esmeralda's favorite novella (soap opera)! It was pretty entertaining, I understood about 50% of the words, but still completely got the storyline, who's sleeping with who, the younger man who is desperately in love with Victoria and the woman who is trying to keep them apart...it's great!!! It was funny as the show went on people kept showing up at Esmeralda's house. Her nephew Jorge came, then her daughter and her husband showed up, pretty soon there were 5 of us watching...I think it's quite the phenomenon!