In the epistle "South-Western grub-code" scribed 04-14-98 09:25,
Karen Wattie did thus proclaim to Larry Bolch:
Karen!
KW> Blue cornmeal???  Is that a name or a color?  
No, it is meal made from blue corn. I have actually seen
tortilla chips made from it at the nearby Edmonton Safeway
store. Over 200 varieties of corn had been developed by
the time Columbus blundered into the Americas, and there
has been a renewed interest in more traditional varieties.
While most is hybridized to produce large cobs of yellow
corn, there are others of blue, red and even rainbow dating
back to Pre-Columbian days. One often sees multi-coloured
dried cobs being sold for autumn decorating even this far
north.
Corn - generally as meal - is the central ingredient to
daily cooking throughout Aztec and Aztec influenced cultures,
with beans being the second ingredient. Wheat was adopted
from Europeans, so one finds both corn and "flour" tortillas.
KW> LB> I worked temp at Burroughs Computers while making my shift from
KW>  LB> photography to acting, 
KW>  
KW>  So you are primarily an actor now?
Primarily in student mode at the moment - learning 3-D. Acting
and directing was in the early to mid-'80s. Started in movies
and television and ended up directing a huge cast in a big
renaissance faire south of Dallas - Scarborough Faire. That
followed many decades of photography. There are still several
careers to come!
KW> LB> These are Mexican or Mex-American - not Spanish - pronunciations.
KW>  LB> Mexicans think Spaniards and Cubans talk funny. Somewhat like
KW>  LB> Quebec patois versus the Academie Francaise - but with better
KW>  LB> sense of humour.
KW> 
KW> Thank goodness for that.  Those of us with incorrect accents don't
KW> dare open our mouths in the place next door.  They don't appreciate
KW> the fact that we try, they just get upset that we don't speak fluently.
Very different. Spanish pronunciation is a little too easy,
but the people are gracious even if you can not converse!
A whole 'nuther attitude - they don't believe that God was
created in their image.
KW>  LB> For example, Mexicans pronounce "ll" as "y" - Pollo "poh-yo" while
KW>  LB> Spaniards would say "poh-lyo". With a sharp ear, one can discern a
KW> How nice to have a language that each letter, or combination of letters,
KW> has a specific sound....even if it does come out differently in different
KW> cultures.  English must be really confusing to the newcomers to our land
Only a few sounds and they are consistent throughout the Spanish
language - allowing for regional differences.
KW>  LB> most gracious people I ever met anywhere. A good part of it may
KW>  LB> be that insults are not taken lightly in these cultures, and so
KW>  LB> are studiously avoided. 
KW>  
KW>  Might be best to warn my hubby not to tease them in anyway then, in
KW>  case they think he is actually trying to insult them. :( He's a 
KW>  terrible tease!
Again, it is the USA and more slack would be cut than in
Mexico. Teasing is generally obvious and would be taken in
that light. If it is not obvious - and you are in Mexico - it
is possible to find yourself in a truly dangerous situation,
if the recipient believes that his honour has been questioned
or if he feels humiliated. Within the culture, he is honour
bound to retaliate, or he is doubly humiliated. This is the
truer meaning of "Macho" - a code of honour and bravery going
back to mediaeval Spain.
KW>  Mispronouncing a word is NOT taken as an
KW>  LB> insult as in some other places in the world.
KW>   
KW> Like that place next door..... :(
Exactly.
KW> LB> Cabrito (kab-ree-to) - young goat.
KW> 
KW> OOOh.....something new.  I'll watch for that.  Have you eaten it?
Both as chili con carne and slowly roasted, turned over open
coals. Rather unlikely to be found in a restaurant.
KW> LB> Con (kone) - with. Thus Chili con Carne is chilis with meat, and
KW>  
KW>  Ha....now I see how you can leave out the beans.  Ours has no peppers,
KW>  just hamburger, onions, celery, tomatos and beans.  With chili power, 
KW>  of course  :)
No peppers? Where do you think chili powder comes from? A true
chili-head will generally blend paprika and cayenne rather than
use someone else's formula. Some cooks also use fresh chilis.
KW> LB> Refritos (ree-freetoes) - refried beans - inescapable, served with
KW>  LB> just about every meal.
KW> 
KW> So I will finally find out what these are!  I haven't a clue.
Good, if somewhat common. Much improved with a bit of melted
cheese and some extra salsa. Generally available canned here
in Western Canada - check your local grocery store. I even
found them in the little cowtown (600 population) near where
I grew up - along with all the basic ingredients for SW grub.
KW> Should I bring the camera to get pictures of the mess some of them will
KW> make?  :)
Nope, bring it to record the fat and happy looks of satisfaction
on the faces of those who chowed-down - or the tears in the eyes
of anyone who asks for it "extra-hot".
larry!
... Mexican Operating System: DOS Equis
                                                                              
    
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