There's A Stranger In My Kitchen

It's the weekend, and it couldn't have come any sooner. I decided to spend the time with my favorite little people, Uziar and Zuhair. Two terribly active toddler boys with a disposition for trouble and mischief making (one that I wholeheartedly support). They both call me "anni" instead of Auntie, a term that I find endearing. All the things I have learned at the children's school during my spring semester have been very useful, though a bit complex to translate in Bangla. I am extremely happy to have found children to pass time with here in Bangladesh and I only hope to find the same in Spain. They sure are exhausting though haha, I don't think I've every run around so much indoors before; it's a good thing my Aunt has a lot of room here.

A lot of my family is fasting today because Ramadan is happening soon, so I decided to cook something special for iftar. We went with a mexican theme: three bean salad, virgin mojitos, tacos, and lime granita. It actually didn't turn out too badly, despite the fact that I had to substitute a fair amount of items because they just don't carry things here in the local grocery stores. Working in a different kitchen is hard. But working in a different kitchen where there are workers who have been raised in an environment where guests shouldn't do anything is practically impossible.

I felt like an intruder and have ultimately decided that sous-chefs kill all the joy in cooking. I wanted to stamp my foot like a child and protest that I was able to handle a knife perfectly well on my own, thank you very much. But alas, I had to restrain myself and allow for basically everything to be done for me. I wanted to role my eyes. I would like to say I cooked an entire meal on my own, but that would be a lie. At best I can claim that I was the Chief Mixer in the kitchen hahaha. The last time I had that role was when I was five and was still using a butter knife instead of a steak knife. The food tasted good, but not many of the family members were pleased to have such foreign objects, and therefore stuck to the more traditional items on the table. However the granita was extremely popular with everyone! I was so pleased that at least one item was completely finished. (P.s. if anyone has any idea what to do with leftover three bean salad, feel free to comment, as I can only eat so much of it before I grow sick of it and swear off beans for life. What a shame that would be as I am sure that Spain has some wonderful bean dishes.)

I feel like this food will become an issue soon, as there is only so much rice I can eat, but most people here seem content to have it every night. Complete conflict of cultures you see? I will have to consider my options in terms of meals as I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't feel comfortable cooking and yet I really would like some variety here, and I am not talking about variety of different rice and chicken dishes. I'm sure I will figure it out soon....I hope.

Anyways, I have gotten into soccer, since you apparently can't walk two feet here without seeing a Brazilian or Argentinian flag and the games alway seem to be on. I have fittingly chosen Spain to be my team for this World Cup. Viva Espana! Haha completely random choice and no I cannot name any of the main "football" players...yet. But I will come back a soccer pro, as that is the only thing that seems to be playing on any given television in any given home in this entire country. It's almost like March Maddness, but less exciting. Oops did I say that? I'm sure it will get more interesting once I understand the game a little better.

Wishing Spain luck in their game tonight (is that what you footballers say?) and missing you all at home like crazy.

Much Love,

Carolyn