chi-chi-chi le-le-le

I can still taste the sea water in the back of my mouth from lunch today. Clams, and, and, and, and, and (that's the marisco that translates in to English - almejas, choritos, picoroco, machas, locos, longaniza, chancho, pollo (not marisco)...) - I finally curanto en olla. It's the Pacific in a pot (5 pots), a traditional dish from the south, specifically the island of Chiloé, I think.

Mamá Cecilia and I went to the Central Market this morning and bought enough shellfish/ seafood to feed a Texan. And it's really heavy too because they all have some sort of shell-helmet or live in rocks. Or they're lighter but alive and with raging pincers. The venders at the market are intensely aggressive. And they wipe fish snot all over you with their rubber gloves, which is an excellent sales pitch. And they don't just cat call from their stalls; they will hound you a good 20 feet plus. One followed me around the corner and down the next passage way asking me where I was from, greeting me in German, and trying to introduce me to some guy he claimed was ACTUALLY German. I'll remember that when I'm marketing: bring a multi-ethnic sidekick that can pose as "German..." to appeal to my international customers.

It poured rain and we slogged back to the house. Traditionally, you dig a hole and cover the bottom with embers, then toss the mariscos in and cover them with giant leaves. But it was raining (and we live in Santiago) and the recipe permitted to substitute for one hole, one stove. Mine(rva), the woman who comes once a week to cook and clean, knew the secrets so she taught Cecilia to make it. Some of the shellfish were super salty strong, but overall amazing! and one of the meals followed by a fierce tug-of-war with your stomach (la guata), which keeps trying to pull you onto the floor. Hmmm it feels like that I think. Anyway like a savage Thanksgiving. And I think shellfish must contain triptofan too, or some other mythical sleep-inducing chemical. Uh.

2-2. A disappointing tie between Chile and Venezuela tonight. Wednesday against Brazil. We need 2 wins out of 3 games to ensure a world cup birth. Chichichi, lelele.