Holiday dinners

This past week we were treated to, count them, TWO wonderful holiday dinners. The first was served under the dome at the home of Dick and Gwen. We were invited yet once again to their villa for a scrumptious meal. Dick and Gwen had gone to Italy this summer and came back with some fantastic ideas about Italian dining. Nine of us sat in their jungle garden and were treated to a four course dinner of antipasto, homemade spinach pasta, pan fried Angus rib eye steak encrusted with dried wild mushrooms served on a bed of mashed leeks and finished off with Gwen's dynamite cheesecake -all of this while tasting the great (we're not talking our usual boxed variety here) wines mainly from Italy. We had been given just one job to do for this dinner and that was to bring a nice Italian wine. Well, Spain's close isn't it? I do seem to be able to remember to bring our bags to the store but I keep forgetting about those dang reading glasses! So, we brought a fine bottle of Spanish wine.



Last night we were invited to our friend Jorge's condo where he and his girlfriend (from Boston) had prepared roast turkey, dressing, broccoli and cheese casserole, mashed potatoes, cornbread, cranberry sauce and tiramisu for dessert. Amazing that it came out of his small kitchen. Before Kristen the most food we saw in Jorge's house was a bag of chips, some eggs, a six pack of Barrilito beer and maybe a bottle of vodka! No living room furniture. A bed only. Eating was a stand-up affair. Now, there's a living room set, dining room table, a stove, and kitchen cabinets! We joined Jorge's mother and sister, visiting from Mexico City, his friend Paul and daughter, brother Carlos with his wife and daughter, and mutual friend Socrates and his new squeeze, Nancy from Montreal. A true feast! Everything was great. Stuffed, we were glad for the mile or so walk home.



A quick word about Jorge's condo. About 5 years ago Jorge bought this 2 bedroom unit in a building of perhaps 18 units and within 6 months decided that condo living wasn't for him. He decided to give it back. The owner had financed it for him. Jorge signed all the papers and went back to the condo, awaiting his eviction notice which never came. So, he has been living there for these past 5 years free of rent. Now, apparantly he can pay the last 5 year's real estate taxes (maybe a total of $250 US) and he then can claim ownership! Squatters rights at their best! Viva Mexico!