Demasiadas Comidas

(La Plaza de las Ventas in Madrid, Spain)

Today consisted of homework and lots of it. The problem is that it's all in Spanish, and that really slows me down.

But, per usual, I took regular food breaks, and Baquita and I chatted quite a bit in the kitchen. We discussed her family and the weather and most importantly her past jobs. Turns out, she used to work for a Count. Yes, folks, mention #2 of a Count in this house. I doubt this Count will want to meet a friend of his former maid, but she did tell me where he lives, so I could always practice my stalking skills. . .

Then as Baquita was heating up my lunch in the microwave, Julia walked in, and noticed that there wasn't a plastic cover on the plate. She got upset and then started in on Baquita for why she wasn't using the plastic lid and why the food was already cold. When she left, Baquita rolled her eyes. I saw it clear as day. I laughed and then Baquita giggled and she went on about Julia for a couple of minutes. She even told me that she was working for another family 3 nights a week, (but that I couldn't tell Julia, as Julia most certainly wouldn't be pleased about that). I officially have an ally in the house.

My lunch was a stew of lentils, chorizo, and what I think was some kind of intestines. I asked Baquita what they were and she said, "Don't worry - just eat them," which only added to my concern. I suppose they weren't bad, as far as intestines go. Afterwards, I headed towards La Plaza de las Ventas for a cooking class organized by the BC program. Lizzie, Matt, James, and I all met up at a señora's house and she showed us how to make paella, tortilla española, and sangria. It was great - like live Food Network - and then we got to eat everything at the end. The señora, Cristina, lives with her two sons, her mother, and two American exchange students, and said that she spends almost all day in the kitchen making food for everyone. She was really friendly and her apartment and kitchen were really nice, (although we did eat off of what I now know are appetizer plates, so Julia wouldn't have approved). After we were stuffed, we ambled back to the metro and went home. Of course, dinner was waiting for me when I got back home, and since I've learned to avoid sudden schedule changes around Julia, I ate that, too (a piece of salmon as big as my head and potatoes). 3 full meals within 8 hours - now I'm really stuffed.

Other tidbit: Julia is still asking me if I have the swine flu, so I looked up swine flu symptoms today. I have 7 of 8. The only one I don't have is loss of appetite, but I can't even imagine a sickness that would make me want to stop eating! So I suppose if I don't feel better soon, I better hop on over to el medico. Good times.