Thursday, January 07, 2010

Field Trip #1: Para comer tacos de lengua de vaca

Every weekday morning at 7:30am I meet my Spanish teacher Imelda for my daily lesson before I start my workday. Our Spanish conversations are fairly limited thus far based on my competence in the Spanish language and one morning we were talking about food. I constantly walk by tacos stands that are sprinkled on the streets and inhale the intoxicating smells wafting from the grills. During our conversation this image popped into my mind. I asked Imelda, Que es tu favorita taco? She answered, “Me favorita tacos es La Lengua”. La Lengua? Que es la lengua I thought? She proceeded to tell me that La Lengua is cow tongue! Which apparently is a favorite taco of many Mexicans due to its tenderness. I asked around to verify my source and multiple people concurred. During my next lesson I asked Imelda if we could go on a field trip to a taco stand to try La Lengua tacos. She agreed and today we went on our 1st field trip. My 1st glance at La Lengua was alarming. Upon the request of Imelda the cook picked up a huge cow tongue and showed it to me. The thing was massive and I almost gagged as I peered at it. I was relieved when I saw that la lengua was diced up and put into the tacos for patrons to eat. When it came time to try it, Imelda curiously watched my reaction as I hesitantly took my 1st bite. I must admit it was a pleasant surprise. La Lengua was tender and tasty! So much so that I even ordered a second one. One of the gifts of living in a foreign country is the assortment of different cultural experiences you can have. Not all of them have to be extreme however I find that when I step out of my comfort zone my learning and enjoyment increases.

1 comment:

Tricia said...

LOLOL! That is so awesome! My uncle was all about tongue and my aunt used to make it for him all the time (I think it was a big Italian thing too) I remember seeing it at their house one time and if I recall correctly there was some gagging then too :)...I put together a benefit concert for that couple I went to visit after I saw you in A-town and its tonight! Heather is performing which is so exciting :) much love -T