A Buffet of Corn

Earlier this evening (as we were waiting for an outdoor performance by the Oaxacan Ballet Folklorico, but thats another post), Kay turned to me and said "This whole country is just one big buffet of corn." The occasion of this sentiment was an elote (sweet corn) ice cream treat that I was devouring (because it was really good. Every time I eat corn ice cream I realize that I had forgotten how much I like it) but it easily could have been said during one of the many tamales, tortillas, or other corn-based entrees that we have been eating. (So there, Michael Pollan.)

E. has been getting into the spirit of this cornapalooza too, as it is on this trip that he has discovered Corn Flakes. Or as he calls them "Flakes". And pretty much every morning in our apartment he inhales two or three bowls of the stuff, each with its own banana. Seems healthy enough to us, even if it feels odd that he has discovered one of the quintessential americana breakfasts just as we begin our time in Mexico.

Bunuelos!

One of the Christmas Eve traditions here in Oaxaca is to eat buñuelos, a fried dough that is dipped in a sugary anise sauce. Because we believe in experiencing local traditions, especially if they involve sugary fried things, we bought one on the zocalo tonight. I would be postings photo so you could all live vicariously except:

1) While Kay takes her photos with an iDevice that makes it easy to post them, I use our real camera which makes things more complicated. And

2) We (by which I mostly mean I) ate the thing in roughly 17 seconds and didn't get a photo at all.

Another part of the tradition involves throwing the plate the buñuelo is served on to the ground to break it. Suffice it to say that this part is less interesting when you buy them from street vendors in styrofoam bowls.

Feliz Navidad!