I assumed that the faint knock on our slightly ajar door was from the housekeeping lady. It was a man’s voice I heard however, and he only spoke Spanish to Shervin. I was able to make out a few words which included “señor” and “comida”. The mere mention of comida, the Spanish word for lunch and also food, made me jump off the bed.
The invitation was timely. We were just about to head out for a meal.
The owner of Hotel Regional in Palenque led us to a long table temporarily set up at the hall just across our room. He asked Shervin and me to sit while he served us a meal of chicken and (to my delight) rice. He and his wife laid food portions for the other people as well, who I mostly recognized as the hostel staff. Such kind gesture to serve the workers who serve them.
Like in my home country Philippines, a prayer was a prelude to our home-cooked feast. The comida was fantastic, though could have been more wonderful had there been actual conversations as opposed to an exchange of lone words such as:
Shervin: Familia (pertaining to the group)?
Owner: Trabajo.
We excused ourselves with our sincerest muchas gracias when the chatter dropped its merriness and picked up a business tone.
Six hours later, we had dinner at Lonely Planet recommended Mara’s (which didn’t disappoint) and went back straight to our hostel after. We decided to spend the last night of the year low-key. It’s an hour into 2012 right now and I could still hear the noise of the owner’s family celebrating the New Year from the hall. Though I’m slightly tempted to take a peek at their shindig, I chose to stay in bed and do some blonking (blogging while drinking). Beside my slumbering Luna. And my husband who’s watching a Naruto episode.
An epic ender for 2011, I must say.
And oh, 2012 kicks off awesomely with a giveaway! I got a shot glass and a leather bookmark (yah know, lightweight stuff I could easily carry around a few more countries before flying back home) up for grabs. Joining is uber easy! Simply post your fave Pinay Travel Junkie 2011 blog post’s title and URL on your wall. Don’t forget to tag Pinay Travel Junkie so I’d be notified of your entry.
Luna will pick the winner via rolled up bits of paper with the contestants’ names. We’re old school like that. Note: Prizes will be sent when we’ve arrived in the Philippines (yes, contest open to Philippine residents only) after our trip, roughly half a year from now. If for some reason your prize gets lost/stolen/destroyed, I’ll search for another cool souvenir from some other country as replacement. Winners will be announced on January 15.
Luna is so behaved in the photo… hahaha i bet she wants to dance on top of the table hahahaha
Melo, she actually danced on the floor! LOL.
‘Blonking’ is a cool word hehe 😀
Based on some bloggers I’ve met, Mexico and the Philippines have a lot in common. At times naiisip ko na sana hindi na lang tinanggal sa curriculum natin dati ang Spanish para kahit saan talaga pwede na mag-work ang Pinoy without much hassle hehe. Cute ni Luna! Dance kayo ng Senorita ni Justin Timberlake 😛
Yep Mica, heaps in common! Haha, sige sayawin namin yan ni Luna. Lol.
Happy new year to you and your family! =)
Happy New Year Tin!
That yellow thing is a peach?? Thought it was a dish of soft-boiled eggs. hehe Good to know you’ve had a good time with the locals on NY day. A bit sad to eat on your own in a foreign country. Happy new year Gay! Kisses to Luna.
Is “Palenque” means market in the Philippines ga-ye? Sounds the same with our Palengke. Spanish is now being proposed to be reverted back to college curriculum. A debate that Chinese instead of Spanish is advantageous in the Philippines. :-). Prospero Ano Nuevo ga-ye, and to the family.:-). Wish you good health together with the family and more blessings and travels for 2012. :-).
It’s got a bunch of definitions Kuya Bonz. Lemme quote Wiki: “The first European to visit the ruins and publish an account was the priest Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada in 1567; at the time the local Chol Maya called it Otolum meaning “Land with strong houses”, and de la Nada roughly translated this into Spanish to give the site the name “Palenque”, meaning “fortification”.”
There you go 🙂
Happy New Year!! Already sent my address for the postcard:p
Would like to call you by first name, pero parang oks pa rin ang “KillerFillers” 🙂 Happy New Year!
The peach in unsweetened condensed milk looks yummy.. ^^ Forgive my takaw-tingin self.. haha.. Btw, I can’t imagine having a quiet meal. It would’ve been heaps of fun if the hostel owner knew some English. But it was good that he’s nice.. 🙂 Anyway, have a wonderful 2012 to you and your family! ^^
Following your blog now Ms. Gay.
Haha! It is yummy! It’s good the the sauce ain’t too sweet, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to finish it.
Happy New Year Sumi.
you should have taken a peek at the shindig! maybe had some of their famous tequila. 🙂 Happy new year!
Happy New Year. I missed Mexican food. This is a great lunch and indeed, one that evokes great Mexican friendships I have had.
I love the scene and Luna seems amaze at the table setting.
Happy New Year Doc Wends!
Aww I love your old school giveaway. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog today. I’m planning to travel this 2012 and I hope to be inspired with blogs like yours. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by! Have an awesome 2012! I’m pretty sure I’ll garner heaps of beauty tips from you 🙂
Must have been awkward dining without talking…hehe. Happy new year!
Super awkwaaard! Haha.