You say goodbye, I say hello

This is just an observation.

When we in the US pass each other on the street we smile and say, “hello.”

Here in La Manzanilla when you pass someone they say, “Adios” or “goodbye.”

I think it has to do with the eternal optimism of the Americans. Where as Mexican history is not one of optimism but more of oppression.

“Hello” or “goodbye” as a greeting. What’s the significance?

Well, what do you know. I'm speaking Spanish.

It happened on Friday.

The phone company called to tell us the repair guy wanted to meet us at our new house to transfer the line.

We were expecting appliances delivered around the same time so I had to quickly call the appliance company and tell them we were heading over to the new house, if they called and no one answers the phone come anyway that means we are there already.

After the two phone calls I was running out the apartment door when I realized that both conversations happened in Spanish and I didn't start out by saying, "lo siento, pero no puedo hablar muy bien Espanol."

La Manzanilla kids don't like carrots

Every 24 days we are responsible for bring "Refugerio" or lunch for the 24 kids in Lyle's kinder class.

We've done Spaghetti- big hit.

Chicken and rice- not such a big hit-we didn't cook the rice correctly and is was mushy.

This time my husband and I thought we'd do PB&J sandwiches on whole wheat, apple slices and carrot sticks. Yes, before you gasp about the peanuts, I talked with the teacher peanut allergies, she'd never heard of such a thing as an allergy to peanuts.

We show up with our lunch and served it up. Only 2 of the 24 kids opted for the carrot sticks and one was our kid!

Conclusion- Kinder kids in La Manzanilla don't like carrots and you are not going to make any friends by serving them.

When I shared this story with a client, her advice, "Twinkies, baby!"