Comments on: Independent

By: octamom

octamom — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:08:10 +0000

I just keep thinking about what amazing memories your kids will have–some blend of Americana with a huge, huge twist. And how impressed am I that you chugged down that goat to honor your hosts back in the day–you are a far better ambassador of good will than I could have been!

Glad for your 4th this year–sounds like a great time was had by all!

Blessings!

By: eileen

eileen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:02:14 +0000

your 4th of july sounded wonderful, and I am also glad Ilsa is not a goat. Goats can’t read. July 4th was smoggy and freezing here in Santiago, as it always is. There was a party at the embassy but I didn’t think it would be fun, and so I skipped it. I’m sure there wasn’t any Dr. Pepper, but I’ll be in Seattle on Wednesday night, so I guess I can get some then! From the previous post, your kids are so much fun, I want to be a kid so I can meet them and be their age. They seem so neat!

By: Beck

Beck — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:28:41 +0000

Ugh, that goat stomach story. YUCKY YUCKY YUCKY.
I’m shocked by how long it’s been since I’ve visited your blog – I love your writing (you’re one of my favorites!) but summer has taken my time away from me. And so I’m just telling you now how sorry – very sorry – i am to hear about your friend. How awful.

By: LIB

LIB — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:09:23 +0000

I’m glad you got to go to a fun party this year. But, I have to say, I’m glad for your Mar/goat adventure, too, cuz you tell the story so well.

By: Grateful for Grace

Grateful for Grace — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:06:37 +0000

Ok, that story of 3rd/4th in the desert just about cured me of wanting to live in an exotic place overseas. My husband thanks you.

By: Kit

Kit — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:41:02 +0000

Glad you had a good party this year and not a goat intestine in sight, though goats do make for better stories for posterity!

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:09:21 +0000

I laughed out loud at Ilsa’s “I’M GLAD I’M NOT A GOAT. I NEVER WANT TO BE A GOAT.” Oh.my.word, that was funny.

I learned to keep tissues in my pocket whenever visiting others for a meal so I could unobtrusively spit out the bits of fat and gristle that floated in the “sauce”. Could.Not.Swallow.It. no matter how hard I tried.

When a friend came to visit from the U.S. my daughter implored him to bring a six-pack of Dr. Pepper. It was half-way through our year in Uganda and she showed great restraint and drank one per month. Not sure I could have done that (if I liked Dr. Pepper). LOL

They eat some strange parts of the cow here in Argentina, and I’m willing to try almost anything. Except morsilla (blood sausage) because the taste is just more than I can stomach. Thankfully people are not offended if you turn it down. Whew!

By: Karen Helm

Karen Helm — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:30:42 +0000

We too enjoyed swimming and hotdogs and hamburgers. No Root Beer or Dr. Pepper though. It was our first at the embassy here. I think I like the small American crowd rather than the large one.

Yours sounded like fun though. Benjamin would have enjoyed the softball. He enjoyed volley ball here.

Hello to all.

By: Jeanne A

Jeanne A — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:55:36 +0000

Brings back memories of a July 4th party or two at the American Embassy in Addis. Most of our summers we did not live in Addis so we didn’t go to the Embassy. I wonder how old I was before I realize that July 4 was a holiday I should know about?????

By: Robin from Israel

Robin from Israel — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:53:18 +0000

In a former life I used to have to attend those massive embassy parties. Such an honor to be invited, one of 76,593 people standing on line for lukewarm overboiled hot dogs. Ick.

Still, it sounds better than quickly boiled goat intestines. I had to choke down expertly prepared and highly seasoned (read: sear your mouth for a week spicy) lamb intestines once and thought I was going to lose it right at the table. I still shudder to remember.