Kallari Cafe

Now I've really arrived. Today was a sleep in kind of day after a very late night catching up with Henry. So, by the time we wandered out of the apartment (around 2:30) we were on a mission (well, a few really). We headed off to get me a color copy of my passport and visa to have notorized before the notary closed (the hour, of course, is anyone's guess). A good idea (I would never have thought of) that I highly recommend. That little adventure - getting two separate pages copied on to one side of a single piece of paper - took quite a bit longer than one would expect and wound up costing extra since the woman in the store just couldn't quite get the idea we were going for. Notary went off without a hitch and we headed off to the Kallari Cafe (seen at the left) for lunch and to connect with the cooperative.

David, the manager, was at lunch and so wasn't there when we arrived (surprise), so we had a nice long leisurely lunch (the picture of which I apparently will have to post separately). The food was good, though I have to say, the hot chocolate and brownie were a bit disappointing. Just getting to try the brownie was another adventure as they had sold the last one while we were still sitting there. So, we asked the nice British girl with the brownie what she thought - she said it "wasn't her cup of tea" - I did mention she was British, right?? Apparently in her universe a brownie equals a "biscuit", she said she probably should know what a brownie is before ordering one. Then, she graciously offered us half her brownie, since she wasn't super keen on it anyway. Seems we had similar reactions for totally different reasons. And, it looks like there is some work to be done in the kitchen.

David showed up before we finished lunch and we spent about 1/2 hour chatting about the cafe and the cooperative and what I can be doing while I am here. I report for work tomorrow at 9 am. Straight to the kitchen. David was told I'd be coming to help so he asked what my kitchen training was and I told him I was a lawyer. Got a good laugh out of him for sure. I told him I was a passionate home cook and baker and he said I'd learn quickly. He was excited that I had brought recipes to try out and told me I'd be learning how to make some local / typical foods because most of the people in the kitchen were from the communities. I am definitely excited about that. He said Carlos would be back from chocolate making in Salinas on Friday so I will talk with him then and we can all figure out the best approach to my work in Tena and in Quito. I have to say, it was a really good day. Granted I didn't understand everything he was saying (his accent is a little hard for me), but I held my own and he seemed to understand me. And, he taught me my new favorite word "chevere" - cool - spelling courtesy of Jon Damm's list of Ecuadorian slang - thanks! Off to dinner with Henry and Jazz in a bit - Vietnamese I believe (I know, but it's supposed to be really good). Then a good night's sleep for my first day in the kitchen - good thing I brought my Danskos!!

(and hank, says.......We need to work on the customer service!) Yeah, I forgot that our waiter forgot a couple of key things we asked for during the meal. whoops.