Piropos

A piropo is a flattering compliment here in Chile. It is common when I walk down the streets, that men will say things under their breath. Piropos.

"Oh, princess."

"Hello, my queen."

"You are beautiful."

Sometimes the comments are more direct or obvious. I have always had a hard time knowing how to react, especially to the construction worker types who make kissing noises as I pass by.

Don't get me wrong, this is not only for me, many women here receive this kind of treatment.

But this week, I received my strangest piropo yet. As I was leaving the main gate of our building, a mother was there with her two children, having picked them up from the school next door. She must have been about my age. She looked straight at me and said in a loud voice, "You look just like Barbie!"

I was so shocked all I could say was "Thank you." And halfway back to the office I kept laughing.

Now I realize a few things I could have said in return,

"Oh, you should see Ken!"

"With these boobs and hips! I don't think so."

Got any other good comebacks?

My fourth Dieciocho in Chile

So, just to make sure you still believe that it is still my favorite holiday in Chile, I'll share about this year's Sept 18th celebrations, even though it's been over a month.

Uncle Joel and Uncle Marcelino with Cousin Sara at the barbecue. *Please notice Uncle Joel's barbecue tool apron.

The empanadas were already assembled and baking by the time we arrived at the party. We are grateful for all the hard work of everyone who prepared them. They were delicious...once again.

Here we are sitting down to eat, with Betzi, Jonathan's sister, and Debora, their cousin.

The next day, the 19th, is also a federal holiday, and we had a barbecue with our church. There was a team kite-making competition, and here are Jonathan and Sara trying to get their kite to fly. Unfortunately for them, my team's blue kite was the high flyer. My job on the team: blowing on the glue to make it dry faster. I was a little winded afterward.

This was the family's attempt at Asado al Disco. That is not a music preference, but refers simply to the style of cooking, on a large metal disc, bathed in wine. However, as you can see, with the quantity of meat, it was not cooking, and had to be put in the oven to finish off the process. If not, we wouldn't have eaten until after midnight.

I love this holiday. People dance, remember where they came from, laugh together, are proud to be who they are, and eat a lot! I will safely say that I ate much less this year than last. And am grateful for that too.

My husband's estofado

My husband makes great estofado! I'm so grateful he knows how to cook.

Yesterday, we had a visiting pastor over for lunch, for a leisurely (and in some moments, intense!) conversation about following Jesus and being His Body. It was great. I was working in the morning and Jonathan said he would make the lunch, and I would arrive with the pastor from the office. He is such an amazing guy. A great meal, and we make a great team, because I had prepped lemon bars in the morning, and while we ate lunch, they baked. Dessert was a hit too!

As I introduced the visiting pastor to the bus system to accompany him back to his host home, he told me, "You scored, Anna! Jonathan is great!" He wasn't referring to his estofado necessarily, but to so many of the other things that make Jonathan great. He loves people, he loves Jesus, he loves to help people get to know Jesus, and he doesn't stop learning.

I'm grateful. I can't put it into any more words.

...And now, as I wait for him to come home from teaching his night class, I have finished off the leftover estofado. Still good the second time around.

(Estofado is a common Chilean dish prepared--in yesterday's case--with chicken plus potatoes, carrots, onions, cooked a bit like a stew in wine, spices, and served over white rice. It is delicious! If you google it, you will see many varieties, and that it is not just Chilean.)