At the end of my first week in Córdoba, I was physically and mentally exhausted. The newness had taken its toll and I just wanted a solo supper and a quiet night. I had eaten empanadas for almost every meal, but noticed the restaurant next door had fajitas!
First Friday and I’m feelin’ like good ole familiar fajitas!
Went into the restaurant, and ordered up the pollo (chicken) fajitas. The waitress looked confused, but I pointed to the menu. No problem, right?
Problem.
The hostess comes over and attempts to explain that the fajitas are for 2 people. I’m thinking, “No big deal, I’ll have leftovers.” But, I can’t quite put it into words. It’s my first Friday, my brain is fried, and oh yeah---I don't speak Spanish.
She points to the “Quesadilla Soho”. Ok, I can’t read most of these words, but I see camarones --- shrimp. Pressure mounting. “Si, bueno.” I’ll have the shrimp quesadilla. Hrmph.
My quesadilla comes out. It’s shrimp, mussels (mejillones), peppers, onions, and mozzarella in a soggy tortilla with enough mussel broth to make Gordon Ramsey’s head explode. Good ole familiar shrimp & mussels quesadilla, just like Mom used to make. At least there was guacamole. Guac makes everything better.
Sometimes, you can’t always get what you want. But, you gotta try sometimes.
And, you gotta learn Spanish.