Cat in the lap

I went to Barrio Chino recently for Chinese food and the ever-elusive bubble tea. At first there was a lot of confusion between Ian's orange chicken and Pedro's glazed crispy pork, but we sorted it out eventually. With the waiter's help. After dinner Rose and I scoured the two-block-long China "Town," searching for bubble tea. Like expert detectives, we asked all the shop owners: "We're looking for this tea, it's sweet and milky with little balls, and you need a really big straw to drink it." Most of them had no idea what we were talking about ("mate?"), which was dismaying, but a few seemed to recognize the description and said it was old in the grocery store. But the grocery had already closed. Tragic.

Yesterday afternoon was absolutely beautiful. I meant to go to lab and stare in a microscope for a few hours, but I forgot to email Cecilia and let her know I was coming, and she thought this was the week I couldn't make it due to my dad's visit (next week, yay!). Since the seeds have to be put into solution the night before, there was nothing for me to do. Which could have been a downer considering I'd just ridden a 45-minute bus to the campus, but it was an extremely happy mistake. I went to somewhat chaotic, gorgeous garden and immediately was befriended by a calico cat who was very sweet. I'm sure it was the cat from the poem I'd written the night before for my creative writing class, so I knew that her name was Manchita. I happened to have a book of poetry by Juan Gelman that I'd bought the other day after reading some of his poems in that class, so I sat for a long time reading pretty poetry and petting Manchita. I took breaks every now and then to watch the kingfisher, the hummingbird, or the pretty blue bird whose name I don't know. It was my first time reading a book of poetry cover to cover, and what an unforgettable first time!

Last night I ate at Carlito's. I'm in love with Carlito. The menu has 700 items, most of them panqueques (crepes), only a third of which are sweet. I got one with tuna and onions (a potent combo!), and Pedro got avocado and artichoke hearts and we shared. Soooooo yummy! For dessert no one else was going to order dulce de leche so I went for it, for the truly Argentine experience: dulce de leche, cream, and rasberries. Oh. My. God. I couldn't take it, it was too rich. I definitely should have shared it. After about half I had to give up and eat the panqueque without the topping. Carlito, I'm coming back soon, my love.

Yesterday the señora was asking me very insistenly about when we leave. I don't know yet though because it depends on exam dates and what exactly we're doing afterward. I know the program end date is June 27, but is that including a day or two to pack and leave? I have no clue. Doesn't she have a contract? "Are you leaving before the 27th? Or on the 27th? Oh, because we'll miss you," she quickly added. Riiiiight.

I was telling Rose about this in a break in Spanish class, and another student was listening. "Why do you think she won't miss you?" she asked. Because she doesn't like us that much, we explained.

"Oh man, if you think you have it bad, you should read on of the essays posted on the board outside...That poor girl."

"Wait a sec," I said, "was it about how she felt unwelcome at home and then she went and spent a weekend with another family out of town and really enjoyed it?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"Oh yeah, that's mine." Oh my, it was quite hilarious. I might be missing out on the typical host family experience, but I sure am getting lots of great stories from our crazy host mom. I don't think I've told enough of them here. Someday I'll devote a post just to her.