Primer Noche

I must've brought the rain. It's rained twice since we got here, but it does have a nice cooling effect. After almuerzo (aka lunch), I took a long nap. Between being tired, full, and the heat/humidity I had a nice slumber.

When I woke, Scott and I joined the main household to chat- mostly to soak in all the Spanish we can. We met Mario's sister-in-law who said Jackie and I looked alike. We do get mistaken for sisters often. (Side note: at customs, the hombre was confused because my last name is "Suarez" yet I had an American passport. He kept questioning, "Latina? Latina?" Nope, Filipina. Scott interjected with "She's American" and the poor guy was confused. "American with the last name Suarez" Yes, I know. Hard to believe. Where is that imnotmexican.com site when I need it).

Mama Chave is Jackie's abuela who gave us some pupusas for dinner- which are akin to corn tortillas, soft and filled with cheese and or beans. I knew Mama Chave was mayor of El Congo, but tonight we learned she was mayor- or Alcadesa- for FIFTEEN YEARS! Elections are every 3 years. I think it's amazing she was elected 5 times. When she started, the country was undergoing a civil war at the time. Mario said she was running for office while he was in medical school and remembers fondly of his classmates chanting "Ma-ma Cha-ve, Ma-ma Cha-ve" to him.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I promised Helen I'd go to mass. And I promise to take pics so I can post them. We start work on Tuesday and I'm itching to get back into the O.R. as crazy as that may seem!