We have had our first stretching food experience. We survived it, although I think Lucas may be scarred for life.

Every Saturday night we attend a small group in the Rincão.  At the end of each study, like at any good study anywhere, there are snacks of some sort.  Something salty, something sweet, it usually varies depending on what house we’re at.  Saturday before last, at the end of the study, we were served pastéis. Pastéis are like empanadas. They are a pastry filled with meat, cheese, or yummy sweet stuff, the stuffings vary. (On a separate note, my personal favorite is stroganoff…amazing!!) Anyway, we took one and dug in, we love pastéis!  I took my bite and thought to myself, “this tastes interesting.” but continued on eating. With each bite it got a little more difficult to enjoy. I then looked over at Lucas. The look on his face was priceless. Without words he said to me, “Help me. I don’t know what is going on inside of this pastel, but it is really not working for me. I need to stop eating this right at this moment. In fact, if it wouldn’t be too obvious and rude, I would potentially vomit all over the floor.”  Seriously, I’m not making this up, that’s what the look on his face said.  He then whispered to me, “What’s in this?”. I decided to ask.

Me-“Oh Marcinha”

Marcinha-“Sim, Teresa” (yes, Teresa)

Me-“O que está dentro desse pastel?” (what is inside this pastel)

Marcinha-“Sardinhas.”

I was hoping Lucas didn’t really hear because it translates just like it sounds. The pastéis were stuffed with sardines.  Yes, sardines.  I was sorely afraid of what was going to happen next. You see, we didn’t want to come across as rude. This family cooked food for us, which is a sacrifice for them, and we did not want them to think that we were ungrateful. So, I quickly finished my pastel. It appeared as if Lucas had as well, I didn’t see it anywhere.

Lucas-“Dude! Sardines!”

Me-“I know dude, that’s new! How did you handle it?”

He then gently and discreetly patted his hand on his pocket.

This last Saturday we returned to the same small group at the same house. This time, we were warned by our friends Geferson and Marcia.

Geferson-“Cara, sabe Seu George fez pizza com sardinhas?” (Dude, you know that Seu George made sardine pizza, right?”)

Lucas-”Cara…” (Dude)

Geferson-”Fala ‘não obrigado’, tudo ok.” (Tell him no thank you, its ok)

Lucas-”ok”

When it came time for food, I was offered the pizza first. I politely said “não obrigada”. BUT, when Marcinha offered it to Lucas, he paused for a second and took it!!!  He is so nice he didn’t want to seem rude if both of us said no, so he took one for the team, even though it wasn’t necessary :-)

Oh, if only that were the end of the story.

Last night, on the way to church, we stopped at a padaria(bakery) to pick up something to eat in the car. Lucas went in and came out with a variety of mini pastéis-ham, cheese, hamburger, and pizza. There were 12 of them. I took my first, it was a really yummy ham one. Lucas grabbed his first one that looked just like mine. He took a bite…

Lucas-”THIS IS SARDINES!!!”

Me-”No, its not!! There’s no way!”

He handed it to me. I couldn’t believe it!! Of all the mini pastéis in that bakery, he happened to grab the one that was on the wrong shelf, buy it, and choose it to eat!! And it was sardines!!  What are the chances….