Wednesday
Night before I leave for Nueva York i.e. Florida
<Due to english/spanish differences and added humor, translations might not be exact.>
Enmanuel: "What would you like to do for your last night here?"
Angela: "Hmmm, I don't know. Maybe we could get one of those sandwiches from Guanabano that are super delicious. You know the ones where they chop chop chop the veggies and chicken, then grill it all and slap in on a squishy bun."
Enmanuel: "MMMM. Yeah that sounds good, we'll head over there later."
Horita (later) Mabel, Ruth, and Enmanuel are gathered around Enmanuel's moto, talking secretly. Angela wanders up to discuss the sandwich getting agenda.
Angela: "Hey girls whatcha doing?"
Ruth and Mabel: "We're going to head to La Guama (the town next to ours) to run an errand. We can pick up your sandwiches while we're there."
Angela: "Ok great. Here's 100 pesos. Remember the sandwiches where they chop chop chop (Showing with hand motions as well) the chicken and vegetables and then slap it on a squishy bun."
Enmanuel: "And Remember, no veggies for me!"
Angela: "Tell them to put the veggies from his onto mine. MMM I like veggies. Chop Chop Chop."
Mabel tries to start the moto and fails. Enmanuel then pushes Mabel and the moto to the street corner, Mabel starts the moto and Enmanuel jumps on the back to do a circle around the block. Angela heads back to the house. Ruth waits on the street corner in her high heels. -Ain't no way she's runnin after them in those things!
5 minutes later,
Enmanuel arrives on foot.
Enmanuel: "Let's go to the park and chat until they come back with our sandwiches."
We wander the 1 1/2 blocks to the park and continue on until we arrive at his brightly lit Grandmothers house (my future house as of Aug. 27).
Angela: "Hola Donas, how is everyone tonight?"
A hug and a kiss on the cheek is given to everyone. We are immediately offered a plateful of platanos y fried salami. I refuse with my sandwich in mind. Enmanuel welcomes his mama's cooking with open arms.
Angela: "Are you crazy. We have the big Chop Chop Chop sandwich coming. There is no way you're going to be able to down in all."
Enmanuel pats his stomach as if he is the incredible eating machine.
20 minutes later, He finishes eating and we head on back.
Angela y Enmanuel: "Buenas noches. We'll see you in the morning at 5:30 to pick up the little girl. Bye Bye."
We continue to the park.
Angela: "We better head back to the house, I can smell the veggies from my sandwich, they must have arrived by now."
Enmanuel: "No no, they aren't there yet. They'll drive by and let us know when they get back."
We wait in the park and chat about the week to come. (My friends and family in the DR are super paranoid that I will forget all about them once I hit american soil. Silly dominicans.)
10 minutes later a moto cruises by. The second it passes Enmanuel recognizes the sound of his muffler.
He whistles at the moto. Mabel does a U-turn and heads back to the house.
Enmanuel: "Now, The sandwiches are there."
We stroll back with much anticipation for the delicious chop chop chop sandwiches. We arrive at my house and the Donas are sitting outside on the porch enjoying the cool evening breeze while the inside of the house is all dark.
Angela thinking: "Hmm. We must not have electricity."
Ruth: "The sandwiches are in the kitchen on top of the counter."
Angela: "Huh? Where, I can't see anything!"
I enter the kitchen clueless
Everybody: "Surprise!"
Angela: "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH"
I scream and laugh for what seems like entirely too long. Once I come to my senses I realize it's a sweet going away party. A banner saying 'Have a good trip, We love you Angela'. Cake, soda, salami, crackers, and neighborhood kids.
We danced, we laughed, and we ate cake.
And the Much anticipated chop chop chop sandwichs sat on the countertop, waiting to to be split up and shared amongst all the party guests.
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