Hanuka Latkes

We invited just a few friends over to our apartment for a Hanuka party last night. We had Sandra and Bere (our friends who own the Bagel Cafe, both from Guanajuato or nearby), Trine and Christian and their baby Peter from Norway, and Erika most recently from Oakland. I was the only Jew (I invited my teacher, Vicente, and his Jewish girlfriend, but he was away this weekend).

I made latkes, carefully lowering the temperature after reading about frying at high altitude (and without an oven in which to keep them warm, I started frying them when the guests arrived). It took them forever to cook. Eventually, I did raise the heat and they did fine.

Peter made applesauce (found Granny Smiths and Galas from Washington in the Mega!), and it was delicious with the latkes, along with some crema. We served beer, Palomas, and red wine from Trine and Christian. We had borrowed extra chairs from the Bagel Cafetin (and a food processor! I nearly cried for joy!). Sandra asked me if I had made the dressing we served for dipping the super-sweet carrots and crispy cellery (no, it was bottled Ranch -- when I took a bite, I swooned to Peter, "It tastes like home!")

I told the story of Hanuka in Spanish, and then sang the blessings (as best I could) and lit candles.

Languages switched off: Spanish, English, Spanish, Norwegian, Spanish, etc.

Eventually, after an interesting comparison of Norway and Mexico in terms of Church and State and abortion laws/values, Christian and Trine gave up on their hope of Peter sleeping at our house (after a valiant effort), and took him home.

The rest of us pulled out the Mexican version of the dreidel Peter had bought and the candy and gum we had gathered and started playing. It was fun, though I do think it's more interesting when you are 8 and really want to win. At one point, we caught Sandra chewing some of her winnings mid-game!

Eventually, Sandra and Bere had to leave to go await a late-arriving guest for their hostel, and we said goodnight to our guests. Peter and I cleaned up a little and drifted off to bed, satisfied that we are building friendships with great people.

And yes, we took pictures, but no time to load them yet in the hustle of leaving today for Guadalajara.