Lunch at La Jícara (The Calabash or a gourd used as a container), a radical-leaning bookstore (libreria), gallery (galería), and cafe, featured one of the most interesting dishes I have had so far. A tostada covered in a layer of hummus, tinga (chicken), grated carrots, onion, parmesan cheese, and a little cream.
As it was a bit early for comida, (only 1:30), I was the only customer in the place. Before I even ordered, the friendly waiter placed a bottle of mosquito spray on the table, saying: “You are going to need this. It’s organic.” I must have given him a puzzled look, so he said, “Mosquitoes” in his best English. I nodded in agreement as I looked around at the beautiful patio and all of the unidentified flying objects — and began spraying myself from head to toe, including my hair.
At first I worried that my food would taste like bug spray, but I didn’t even remember I’d used the spray until I was telling the story of the delicious tostada (and tangy salad) later.
shewhodaresnothing 