Almuerzo, the Biggest Meal of the Day

Gloria prepares all of the family meals, including breakfast, a small portion of something filling, like eggs and rolls, or cereal and bread, or steamed plantain. Supper is a small meal, maybe leftovers from lunch, or a bowl of fruit, some eggs and rolls.

Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Gloria cooks a big meal, usually starting with rice, sometimes adding beans, some kind of meat, and bread. I really miss vegetables. Beans, made from dried beans, are the staple, along with rice, but that is the extent of use of the vegetable family. On special occasions, broccoli or squash might be blended into a soup. But, every family is different. Other students tell me that their families mostly eat soup and rarely have meat. Fruit is used mostly for making a drink with lunch, melon, mangoes, or papaya. And, every family is different in the kinds of meat they crave. I have a commitment to eat what is placed before me. That means I have eaten breaded and fried liver along with rice and beans, and breaded and fried churrascos, which I think is a kind of flank steak, a cheap cut of meat that has to be cut into small strips, sort of like what we would get in a serving of fajitas, but not as good. Gloria has also made pan-sauteed chicken, an amazing treat, along with rice and beans. Fortunately, I love rice and beans, so at lunch, I am always very happy to eat a good portion.

Last night, the family had chicken from Pollo Campero, but due to a little bout of stomach distress, I went to bed early. I think I missed a chance to sample the rón in a Cuba Libre after supper.

I think I mentioned Pollo Campero before, it is a business that began in Guatemala. They have stores all over the country. Pollo Campero is the KFC of Guatemala, and citizens are very proud of it. Recently, Pollo Campero expanded to other countries, including the US. I would not be at all surprised to see a Pollo Campero in Indianapolis someday soon. I have heard of Guatemalan families bringing Pollo Campero with them on trips to visit relatives in the US. KFC or Popeye´s cannot hold a candle to Pollo Campero. Here in Xela, they have free wifi! I can go in the afternoon after lunch and have a video conversation with Rachel and Grace. It´s a bit of a hike from the neighborhood, but well worth it.

Today, I am going to order pizza from Domino´s, just down the street. This is a treat for the kids and a break for Gloria. She works very hard, running the household and cooking all of the meals. Selfishly, I can hardly imagine cooking in her kitchen, and during the week I have no time to cook, clean up, and study. So, ordering pizza is good for my conscience (not including my nutritional conscience) and good for Gloria – I hope. She said the kids would be thrilled. I know I am. For today´s lunch, no fried liver.