It was a glorious day for all of us. Imagine it - two Americans who are beginning to learn Spanish, me, with some Spanish under my belt, Maria Elena, with no English, and Rebecca, who understands English but speaks only Spanish. This was Spanish immersion at its finest for the three of us students, and Rebecca and Maria Elena were patient and helpful throughout!
We were also treated to a typical Cuencano meal that included roast chicken, roast pork, rice, a little potato, egg and cheese croquette, two kinds of tortillas, and two salads - avocado and tomato and carrot and broccoli. It was a wonderful afternoon of eating, laughing and talking.
Maria Elena's parents owned a larger house up the way and all the surrounding land; now the land has been split up for three small summer houses; one each for Maria Elena and her two sisters. This little country house is about 30 years old, with a well established garden - mature trees laden with avocados, mango and papaya trees!
There's just enough room in the house for all of Maria Elena's grandkids to come and stay with her!
The climate is great for cacti, succulents and just about everything!
Those white flowers to the right are Datura, a hallucinogenic, although here they tell me it's used as a sleeping aid.
Check out these Hens and Chickens! They're huge!
This is the view from the front of the house.
You can see some of the greenhouses for roses and other flowers that are exported and sold locally in the lower left of this photo.
All in all, a really fantastic day with new friends and new discoveries.
5/28/11 Finding a house update: Len and Sharon have found an apartment and will be moving in soon. This means I'll be able to take a good look at the cottage and hopefully, will be able to move in myself, soon. This is good, because there's a white mini Schnauzer nearby that is calling to me!
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