Turn about...

I've written about our Friday breakfasts with the Chapinas that work with Marlan. On Wednesday at work, Marlan told me the "girls" wanted to make breakfast for us. They have been so grateful, almost to the point of embarrassment, so I felt a twinge of nervousness at the prospect.


Well...this morning at 8:00, M and I arrived at the embassy. There weren't too many of the girls around, but then, it's Friday. About 8:30, we headed...downstairs????


Seems our amigas went ALL OUT for our little breakfast. We entered the auditorium, and they were all bustling around--a huge Feliz Cumpleanos sign on the wall, tables with real tablecloths, centerpieces, bright little dots and squiggles (M called them sperm) all over the tables and the most delicious breakfast you can imagine! They served the yummiest tamales, Guatemalan style, wrapped in banana leaves, black beans (the beans here are the best you've ever tasted, although the presentation kind of looks like a pile...oh forget it. They are wonderful!) Pan dulce (sweet bread), rolls. It was unbelievable. All the girls wished me happy birthday and sang to me--I was really very touched. To top things off, they presented me with a beautiful box with a Quetzal bird on it (actually a tea box--I filled it with herbals) to always remind me of Guatemala.


My task now is to learn all their names. I used to be so good at remembering names, but as I've gotten older, it's gotten harder. FYI--I do still remember our phone number in Studio City when I was young: PO6-1341.


One of the things that bugs the heck out of me at the embassy is the "us-them" attitude. For instance, in the health unit, we are not authorized to treat any FSN (foreign service national--the Guatemalans that work at the embassy.) We can give them ibuprofen or Pepto, and a flu shot, but nothing else. They are employed by the US Govt but are considered "them". So stupid, and whereas I am usually one that tows the line, I'm cutting the cord on this one. I will be quiet about it, but in my mind, they are "us" too.