Topic Two: Terere
I wanted to talk about something pretty basic for this post. Paraguay's hot. Not deal-breaking hot, but definitely toasty. It's frequently around 35-38C, which means its frequently in the mid 80s-90s. So how to deal with the heat and humidity? Some genius long ago came up with Terere.
Terere is the iced version of Mate. Whenever Paraguayans gather, they end up forming a circle, and passing around the stuff. Here's how it works: you take a guampa, which holds the yerba. Guampa's are usually made of horn, or metal, sometimes it can be as simple as a cup. Yerba (a tea made of herbs) are packed into the guampa, and then a bombilla is inserted into it. A bombilla is a metal straw with a filter at the bottom to keep herbs from seeping into your mouth when you're hoovering up terere.
Paraguayans then dump water, yuyos (fragrant leaves or other herbs) and ice into a separate thermos. Really refrescante (Refreshing) mixes use freshly squeezed lime too. Anyways, the water is poured into the guampa, drank, and then the guampa is refilled and passed to the next person.
Its a way to stay constantly hydrated, it has a taste different from plain water, and its a great way to get to know people.
I'll post some pictures of the stuff as soon as i can.
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St. John,
ReplyDeleteOne more try. I keep losing everything I've typed.
I'm glad to follow your blog. I had looked eagerly for new postings.
I think Terry has asked the same questions that I am curious about. I want to know your observations and impressions of the place and the people. What do you find hard or puzzling? What are you learning about yourself?
Sarah has written you a letter, I think, which I will post tomorrow.
We've just finished a week of spring-like weather. Today it is back to chilly rain. I am eager to open the windows again for ventilations as I begin to paint trim and walls. Such is my exciting life.
I just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society for my book group. It was better than I had expected it would be--an epistolary novel set in London and the Channel island of Guernsey just after WWII. It has me thinking about letter writing as a means of self-revelation and communication.
All the best.
Love,
Kim
man, terere is a kind of chimarrao for pussies. try at least be used to mate, with hot water, which is the closest thing to the Real Deal you can get over there.
ReplyDeleteand make sure you wear the gremio jersey anytime possible - it will make you respected in the entire south america.
my regards to mariana, all the best from ananda and cheers!
Hello Sin Jin, I am at my office and the rain is pouring down. I finally got onto your blog after having lost track of your address. As for life here? Our living room is overtaken by onions, young seedlings struggling with not quite enough light. A greenhouse will arrive in a few weeks and then those guys will straighten up! I am having a very enjoyable semester, teaching yoga and the novel. There seem to be an unusual number of fine students. Who knows how that happens. The passage of the health bill has been strange. On the one hand, such an obvious--thank god this has happened at last but it also has evoked such hatred that it verges on the creepy.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read your news, hope to talk to you at Easter. Much love, Olivia