19 Junio 2012

The reality that I am leaving is sinking in for me as much as my host family and Peruvian friends.

It was the blanket.

Doña Juana and I were planning the weaving days, when we are going to do what, and we realized the slight race against the clock. It shocked us both.

Now, everyone is focusing on making every moment count.

I am spending less time on yoga and books and more time just sitting together. Tonight my host family was hanging out in my room eating their new favorite: sloppy joes, which I translated to ‘juanes cochinos’, big hit. I had no desire to get back to my book, and they just kind of hovered. I think I can count on one hand the number of times Don Juan has been in my room, tonight was one of the best.

My mother sent me a care package that was a s’more making kit (thank you, mom!). It was the first time I had eaten a graham cracker in 2years, and put together as a s’more… longer. I explained that ‘s’more’ means “quiero mas” and that is exactly how it hit. Making s’mores has this romanticism to it as is, but in this situation, where we are trying to pour the last of everything we know into each other, the excitement had its own satiation.

Right now the dog just came in the room to cuddle up in bed and I found myself saying, “No, ma’am, you finish chewing that dried goat leg on the floor. When you are done, you can come to bed.” To which I received a little wining temper tantrum.

When is that sentence ever going to come out of my mouth ever again in my life?

I attempted to make sharper cheese before I left for Lima. It involved what felt like an era of pressing, simmering, cooling, salting, and wrapping… after drying it turned out to be a better texture than the cheese we usually make, but actually more bland. I know, you cheese expert you, you are just thinking,
 ‘how can you attempt to make good quality cheese without a thermometer or refrigerator?! Silly girl!'
 I know, oh wise one. It was worth a shot… and perhaps two or three more.