My name is Kathy, and I’m an addict

So we’re back at the trailer, and coming into it, after spending a week in a hotel, I am almost certain that the hotel room is bigger than the entire trailer. We are doing a very good job of filling it though; not only with ourselves, but it is bursting at the seams with pottery. Whenever we picked up a piece for someone the kids would *need* some too. If we ever unpack this monster, we’ll be quite surprised at the loot we’ve managed to store away.

Unfortunately, my favorite ceramic fabrica was closed (Sunday) when we left town and I’m
aching to go back. Every fabrica had a different style, though they are all based on a similar design style. My favorite factory is so detailed with their work, however, that I am really jonsing for some. I bought some pieces for other people but really wanted some for ourselves. Course, I have absolutely NO idea where we’d put it. If the bathtub didn’t also serve as the laundry hamper, it would also be full. Jamie is not wanting to travel tomorrow, though, so maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to get my fix. I swear, the danger of Mexico is not the banditos (never saw a one). The danger of Mexico is not hitting stray cattle when driving at night. The danger of Mexico is not corrupt policemen (never met one), nor unfriendly people, nor hurricanes, nor drought, nor parasites, nor Typhoid. The danger of Mexico is TALAVERA POTTERY. I don’t think we have enough family and friends to give all this stuff to but damn if I can think of a reason not to get more. Now that I’ve seen distinct styles I want some of each. I’m absolutely addicted and there is no help in sight.

Last night we had the best pizza I’ve ever had. Mole, chicken, beans, (yes, this was on a pizza) onions and cheese. It was wonderful. Even Pike had some and liked it. Maybe while I’m purchasing Talavera, I’ll order one of those Pizzas to go.

The Lance-A-Thon is finally OVAH! Course on ESPN Latin America, we were really spared the constant Lance Chronicles and got to enjoy Spanish and Italian riders. It was incredibly difficult to listen to the commentary though; it was a Spanish (Argentine and some other nationality commentating – was the other one Columbian?) voice-over Phil and Paul. The feed for OLN and ESPN is the same; I think all the video comes from a video pool but it was weird to hear Phil and Paul in the background. I have no idea WHY they didn’t cut them out. The Spanish commentary was louder and I was constantly trying to tune out Paul and Phil (blasphemy, I know) but it was very difficult as I could understand both commentaries. Now, does anyone know why Rassmusen is called El Pollo? I know that Pantani was called The Pirate but is Rassmusen Internationally known as the chicken? It was over a course of a few days of commentary and they always referred to him as “El Pollo”. At first I thought they were saying something about “apollo (from apollar)” which is different, but by today’s coverage, I was almost certain they were calling him (affectionately) “El Pollo”. Ah well.

I finished *The Half Blood Prince* (Harry Potter 6? or is it 7?) and was quite disturbed by the ending. Not going to give it away but wow. Really surprising. Jesse is not impressed with the HBP; he sa
ys that JKRolling has “lost her touch” and that this book “she seems to have turned it from a good kids book to an adult book”. I think the romance is something he just doesn’t enjoy or “get” at just 11. I think that had we started the series of books when he was 7 or 8 instead of 5, he’d appreciate the teen angst better. I found the book quite light, but since I read so fast, I might change my mind while reading it aloud to Pike.

We will most likely be heading for the border the day after tomorrow; we’ll aim for Saltillo the
first day and the border the second. Hard to believe we’ll be gone in a few days; I just can’t imagine leaving Mexico. We’ve really fallen in love with this area; we love Santa Rosa J, Dolores Hidalgo, San Felipe and yes, even “Hollywood” San Miguel. We’re also really enjoying a very comfortable summer in the highlands. we suffered in the heat of the Yucatan but now read about heat waves in the US midland and wonder why the hell we’re even thinking about returning to the US. Were it not for friends and family…

Anyway, if someone ever starts a Talavera Annonymous chapter, DON’T TELL ME! Free wireless is too slow for pictures so here you go. Tomorrow we head for San Luis Potosi and eventually, the Texas border. Tara and Niri, get READY! Last picture is of the paletas (popsicles) that we regularly get. Michoacan style. LOTS of fruit! Can you see it in the photo? YUMMMM!