Ketchup!

So did you know how different ketchup can be? Here in Nicaragua it's called salsa de tomate and its groooossss. I think anyways. I would rather not dip my ultra greasy fries in it. I actually like to stay far away from it, but Nicas put it on everything, including sandwiches.

Today Jeff and I came to Managua to get the remainder of our bags from the office. We quickly ran to McDonalds for lunch, which is something in the US that I usually would run away from, not to. And right now I'm even reading Fastfood Nation, but we talked about it and decided fastfood rules do not apply when you live outside of the US and only eat it every so often(its super expensive!). And here, it tastes like a little piece of home. Anyways, Jeff opened the ketchup and I said.."Is that REAL ketchup or Nica ketchup?" to which he said "It's McDonald's ketchup". And ya know what? He was right! McDonalds ketchup tastes different than any other ketchup. It has its own special taste, and it tastes great! Its sort of sweet, but not too sweet. I definately enjoy dipping my fries in it. Anyways, that was the first time I had ever noticed that it tasted different than normal ketchup. I actually think it might be better.

Anyways....time is moving, slowly. We have been enjoying some Chinandega baseball games. There are some Americans on the team, and a Canadian, as well as Nicaraguans, obviously. We even met some of them and hung out! Soon we are starting some English classes at an NGO, 2 adult classes a youth group, and Jeff is painting a mural so it looks like we might be more busy. Not that it would be hard to be more busy than we are right now. We've been doing a lot of hanging out, getting to know the Chinandega. I've actually gotten pretty used to not doing much. But things are going to change!

I can't believe its December and all we do it sweat. Happy Holidays! I really miss real December. And and to all of the comments about us being pale....you feel like your face is cooking when you are in the sun here so we try and walk in the shade as much as possible. If I am in the sun for more than 20 minutes, my face looks like a tomato, and thats with sunscreen. Plus, we're not nearly as pale as everyone in Minnesota!