I'm Lovin' It!

I never eat McDonald's in the states (except that one time on the Reservation...).... but when I travel... And I get lonely...I have been known to cave in to the familiar french fried wicked deliciousness that is McDonald's (emphasis on wicked). Three examples.

• China, 2004...I was teaching English in China. We had free access to Chinese food in the school cafeteria. It was disgusting, the golden arches called, and often we answered. 
• India, 2007...I got sick visiting my buddy Lon. My first post Dehli belly meal? A "chicken burger" (they do not serve hamburger in India due to obvious cattle restrictions) from McDonald's. 
• Mexico, 2010...I was studying Spanish for a month in San Cristobal De Las Casas...when loneliness struck. What makes people feel happy when they are lonely in another country? Big mac mblt a quater pounder with some cheese...

For those keeping track at home, that is McDonald's 3 Bucher 0.

Thankfully thus far I have had the self-control to "say no".

But I still want to eat things that I know, especially after a month and a half of eating different food. Thankfully I married Brigitte. She pushes me from the tacos and sandwiches that I tend toward.

This week we prepared Seco de Pollo. Literally, it sure seams to mean dry chicken. I like my chicken a bit on the moist side. But in reality, it is more of a sauce or stew of chicken. We procured the recipe from here. We enjoyed the chicken quite a bit. It is one of the more popular dishes here. There are a variety of "Seco de..." dishes, "Seco de Chivo", "Seco de Res", etc... Here is Brigitte enjoying her "dry" chicken.

Brigitte really is the machine that makes this Bucher Anderson cooking thing work. She is always ready to push us to infinity and beyond while I want to stay in the finite and remain.

We enjoyed another Ecuadorian food this week, they are called salchipapas. Salchipapas are literally a mix of two great things...salchichas (hot dogs) and papas (french fries)...Salchipapas. Increible!

Usually they are served in a bowl, slathered in ketchup and mayo. Then, they are eaten with a toothpick. Salchipapas literally fuel Ecuador. President Correa is probably slumped over his desk planning the exploitation of the Yasuni as I write this, with a bowl of salchipapas keeping him going...dripping ketchup and mayo all over important documents.

One of our teachers (Brigitte's specifically) was kind enough to invite us to his hometown for Sunday. Sundays here in Cuenca are really...really...quiet. Nothing happens. At the beginning of our time here we thought that the rapture had come, and there had been some sort of miscommunication. But no, the people just leave. So Gabriel was kind to invite us to his hometown about an hour away. There, we were able to have a good time doing the things you do on a Sunday in Ecuador, like wearing small hats...

And jump on suspension bridges...

And even open up the doors of our perception...

We are excited this week as we are going to probably begin volunteering at an after school program! We also hope to NOT eat McDonald's!