Month: August 2008

You’ve probably heard that you need to take toilet paper with you when you use a restroom in Mexico. Maybe you’ve even heard that you need to pay to use a “public” restoom. But I’ll bet no one warned you that toilets might not have seats.

I spent a considerable amount of time holding squats over seatless toilets during the first few days in Mexico. I peed, wiped, and tried to remember to throw away my t.p. in the trash instead of the toilet–all while keeping my bottom from touching the bare rim of the toilet bowl.

Thankfully, the James’ house has toilet seats and I can relax when using the rest room here. I empty my bladder before venturing out–and pray that I can hold it until I return.

Perhaps 2 pesos is not so great a price to pay for a decent (although sometimes excruciating) butt workout. But I am cheap–and that workout is less than appealing–so I’ll pas-I mean, hold it.

Yesterday was Micheal’s 21st birthday. He said he didn’t want a party, but Caroline knew better. So, she planned a surprise birthday party for him. She slaved in the kitchen all day, rolling fresh flour tortillas and making enchilada fillings.

The guests–several families–arrived sometime before 6 and enjoyed horseshoes and conversation in the yard and living room. Around 7 pm, we began the process of making the enchiladas. Caroline was pretty warm by then, so Jim, Rebekah, and I took over. Rebekah dipped the fresh tortillas in the enchilada sauce made of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and water–then quickly warmed them in hot oil. Then Jim and I filled them with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce–and rolled them up. Rebekah got tired of dipping and frying halfway through, so I switched over to the stove.

Once we had prepared a platter-full, we began serving. Pastor Pepe prayed for the meal and the party began eating. Jim and I continued dipping, frying, and rolling until the meat was gone–then we continued until the cheese was gone. Then we sat down to eat ourselves.

We enjoyed good conversation over the meal, and then Caroline got out the guitar. Pastor Pepe led the group in singing a birthday song–and then in (our) traditional (American) Happy Birthday song (except in Spanish!) After congratulating Michael, the party left–and the second party began.

Elizabeth and Luis took the van over to the rehabilitation center to pick up some guys to celebrate with Michael. Four guys came over and they and Michael enjoyed hanging out and eating chocolate cake with vanilla pudding on top.

Jim brought out his fossil and arrowhead collection and the two of us looked through them while the younger guys talked. It was a pretty fun (and full) evening.

Michael is sitting at the head of the table