We've been lusting after the Dominican Republic lately... just dying to get back! Sure, we miss the beaches, the tostones, the blaring merengue music, the lively atmosphere & bright colors--but even more we miss the children we worked with, their families and our dear Dominican & Haitian friends. Our 2 years in Barahona were rich with learning and challenges--and even more rich with new friendships. We're saving up our pennies for a post-graduation trip... if we can pull it off!
Meanwhile we've developed a great relationship with a Cuban refugee family here in Chicago. They have that same beautiful vibrancy in their personalities that we grew to love in Dominicans and are incredibly faithful friends, always expressing their care and wanting to share lives as much as possible. That is difficult for us with our insane schedules but they are understanding &--knowing we don't have time to cook much--try to feed us mounds of Caribbean food as often as possible! Platanos, habichuelas, frijoles, pollo di tu, carne gisado... wow can they cook!
A few weeks ago we were able to host them for a Sunday dinner--and it was about time, considering all the evenings they had hosted for us at their place! The first time they were over we didn't have much time to cook so this time I wanted to prepare something that seems very 'traditionally american.' I chose lasagna & was pleased that they loved it! They even ate the asparagus, which was a new veggie for them. The whole meal was gone by the end of the night--not a leftover in sight. We had fabulous conversation, ranging from politics to feminism... and were so pleased our friend Hope could join us.
We're still fighting to find them work... life in Chicago for blue collar workers is very tough right now. If you know of ANYTHING--from child care to cleaning... Carol used to be a pilot, can drive & is a fine carpenter... let us know!!
After months of relentlessly stalking the specialty sections at different groceries stores, I've finally found an edible Gluten-Free meat substitute! 'Soyrizo'... I know, sounds gross (I hate veggie meat names... i.e. smartdogs...) but let me tell you, I made Mexi eggs tonight for dinner and deLISH! Just when I was beginning to mourn the lack of GF substitutes... sure I like tofu but come on... throw a girl a slice of vegBACON!
