Chimis!

Sunlight and cool temperatures were the order of the day as we made the rounds on foot to our favorite stores to get the best prices.  Have I mentioned how much I love this place?

Our meal at the center (on paper) cost relatively little, because we had purchased the meat and the tortillas weeks ago at super low prices.  We had 50 very large burritos...at least twice the size of those we eat in the States.  We purchased more than a dozen avocados, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, bottled salsa (and it wasn't half bad!) and corn chips.  I made a pumpkin sheet cake, and we had a meal!

While class was in session, I had an easy hour and a half chopping lettuce and tomatoes...I made the guacamole about 10 minutes before class got out.  I started cooking the burritos as soon as I heard them coming out.  (They were individually wrapped in foil and had been heating in the oven.)

I deep-fried them - four at a time and sent them out to the serving table as soon as they were done.  It took at least 20 minutes to get them all done and served....perhaps longer, but they disappeared as fast as I got them out.  Nearly everyone was unfamiliar with the term chimichanga, which immediately moves the dish up a notch on the exotic scale.  I would say they were an unqualified success  ("unqualified success" is a term I have heard for years....but it seems like it should be "qualified success." ...any editors out there?)

Considering the chimis were mostly made and considering that it is one dish I have made many times and so very low-stress, I would say that today has been lovely and comparatively easy.  It is still a very long day cooking and cleaning, but it was a good day.

I spent some time with a sweet young woman who is an au pair (nanny) for a wealthy family here.  She is from Brazil and is outgoing and cheerful, but it has been a struggle for her to find a niche here with friends and church members.  She is brave to set out alone like that from so far away.  I think she will be fine. I am sure that she will begin very soon to feel more at home here.  It sounds like her host family think very highly of her.

I can't imagine even trying to do all that I do here without SK!

I also spent some time with a beautiful young law student.  She was so helpful getting the meal on with me and so cute.  She has a delightful sense of humor and I so enjoy spending time with her.

We have a small group of YSAs who are nearly always there to every gathering.  Otherwise, there are many who come when they can...maybe once every 2 or 3 weeks.  There are so many that I just love and look forward to seeing.

When all the food was put away, there were 3 or 4 rousing games (and I do mean rousing) of CRUD.  Morten the young man who is the president/chairman/CEO/head honcho of the YSAs here in Copenhagen talked to Brother Andersen about it, and it looks like it will be gone as soon as movers can be arranged for.

So until that happens, there will be lively games in the evening.  I do hate to see that happen, because it has been such a joy to watch, listen and laugh at all the antics that go on over that game.

I think we will get very creative and find many new and exciting activities that people will enjoy at the center.....but it is sad to say goodbye to that game.