Oscar2
Dec 24, 2007, 11:27 AM
Post #14 of 16
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Its a Christmas Eve morning and like yesterday, Sunday, the sky is a blue to die for, crystal clear, a devastating 73 degrees and the air is so crisp you can almost bite it. Yesterday, Sunday was a big day for me in this humdrum life of ease and kick back retirement. I was fresh cleaned, shaved and when I greeted the weather with a deep breath and accelerated my magic bubble, the road opened up the sky’s giving proof that it was going to be a good day.
Like most Christmases, excitement fills the air with anticipation and being that a very large part of my extended family dinner, present exchange and more would be hosted by yours truly, life takes on special meaning. I was off for Chile Verde, Pan Dulce and Conchita’s house to pick up here marvelous tamales.
Conchita lives in a small but renowned Mexican Historical City known as a Vario which dates back over a hundred years. As I drove up to her charming little wooden framed house, painted in white with green trim and amply gardened with roses and that which like its surrounding was modest, old and pretentious in of its time. I loved its feeling as I knocked on her door while the wooden porch creaked at me with every movement.
The daughter answered, invited me in and as I found out, this woman (Conchita) from Torrion, Mexico was proud, hard working and by the appearance of her home, inside and out, very clean and together. Christmas decorations complimented her large living room as I past toward a small dining room and into her kitchen. Steam filled the space and there was Conchita affixed to the stove, apron in place with a smile you knew you were welcome.
I especially enjoy reaching out and meeting good people who at heart seemingly have much to say without having to say anything. She was who she was, and in the course of our brisk and enjoyable conversations, she handed me a two-inch thick manila package, with an air of importance. I thumbed through some of them and they turned out to be a very large stack of Xeroxed copies of Tamale recipes seemingly from all over the world.
I was a bit taken back, wondering, what the heck, where did this all come from and of coarse she sensed query and followed with, I have a friend in Mexico DF, and prefaced, who is a doctor lady friend of mine who also owns a large restaurant and she send them to me. Not seen but felt, this was a hallmark in Conchita’s life, which she enjoys telling because of its warm and friendly outcome.
Conchita on a flight back from Mexico landed and due to some mishap, those who had a layover, their flights were canceled for a later date. Conchita had been talking to this lady who was distressed because she was scheduled on this flight and ultimately, Conchita offered the lady her hospitality as a place to stay in the interim. Unbeknown to Conchita her friend turned out to be a doctor.
Seven years later, too this day, they hold each other in high esteem and have remained warm friends. Conchita and I smiled, laughed and grimaced at our stories and needless to say, we exchanged a hearty Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo and of coarse a big tight abrazo telling in itself, we would see each other at another time. Hot Tamales in hand I walked out her door.
Off again to fetch Pan Dulce, and Chili Verde con Carne de Puerco to complete Esparanza’s recipe for our Christmas dinner. Making Chili Verde was indeed fun and still in the making. Will talk about that again.
Today is Christmas Eve, after about three years on this board I’ve somewhat grown to know some of you in ways that it feels like community and more. A bit crazy at times, allot of fun at others but always some of us have something to say and there are ears who sometimes just listen for another day.
For all its worth, and for those of us who hang out in the hallways, highways and byways of MC, a very, very Feliz Navidad.
Oscar
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