Nuevo Laredo pt. 1
Every April my parents bring a high school youth group to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to do volunteer work. They have been doing this for a decade. I was fortunate enough to go on these trips while I was in high school, and I got to go again last April! Our friends in NL are some of the nicest and most kind-hearted people I have had the privilege of knowing. Unfortunately none of my other siblings have ever met our Mexican family! Or have seen the place where we stay. My brother wasn’t able to weasel his way out of work, so it was just us sisters. My Dad also brought his mother with us, which was awesome. She is my favorite traveling buddy!
We arrived in Nuevo Laredo in the early afternoon. When we got back from grocery shopping our friends were there to greet us! Manuel, Marlene & Antonio immediately wanted to play a board game with my sisters…
Manuel
Marlene and my sister Duncan are pretty close in age.
Antonio
Above is Gloria, who is the most loving woman IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD. She is the matriarch of group of people we know.
This is Chris, who is our American contact. He meets us in Laredo, TX and drives with us down to Mexico. Although he is originally from Texas, he spends most of his time in Nuevo Laredo. Chris is our translator-extraordinaire!
This is Nelly, Antonio’s mother. Last April Nelly made us these delicious home-made popsicles. It was difficult to choose between the vanilla, banana, coconut or chocolate amazingness!
Duncan, our resident amateur chef. The women were eager to have her help make cheese empanadas.
Next to her is our Grandmother Betty.
From left to right is, Ana (Manuel & Marlene’s mother, and Gloria’s daughter-in-law), Nelly, Anita in the background, Blanca (Gloria’s daughter), Betty, and Anita’s (& Avalina’s) mother.
Grandma was an empanada filling machine!
Blurry on the left is Erica (Gloria’s daughter-in-law), and next to her is Anita & Avalina’s mother. She and her husband were in town visiting. They live in Veracruz, Mexico. They brought with them 4 kilos of… cheese! You totally read kilos and thought of something else, huh? How American of you. Well the cheese they brought makes delicious quesadillas and empanadas but isn’t readily available in Nuevo Laredo.
Above is the makings of guacamole (milk, avocados, salt and cilantro), rolls of dough, Ana manned the tortilla press while Gloria hand pressed hers. And honestly, Gloria was so good you couldn’t see the difference!
Sous-chef Duncan filling her empanadas.
There were two tables covered in empanadas… they made over 160!
Here is Stefani (Gloria’s granddaughter), who they call Fani, but from an American ear sounds like “Funny”. She has grown so much over the last year!
David, Blanca’s son & Gloria’s grandson.
You met Damaris (pronounced dah-ma-reese) a couple days ago. Isn’t she just beautiful? And she loves to pose! She is Blanca’s daughter & Gloria’s granddaughter.
I love this picture of Fani. So pretty!
Every night while we’re in Mexico we play the basketball game Knock-Out. I remember on one of my first trips trying to leap over the language barrier and teach our friends the rules.
Although we didn’t play Knock-Out this week there was some basketball played, which if you know my sisters is hil-ar-ious. Before my sister’s came along (and ruined everything!) we were a basketball family! My parents, my brother and I all played, and were pretty good if I do say so. It’s funny to think that my parents created two people who don’t care for athletics. My gosh, once you see Katrin run you’ll understand why she’s called “The Giraffe”.
Brothers David & Daniel and their cousin Fani. The kids were sneaking some cheese & tortillas while they waited for dinner to be made.
Damaris is always camera-ready!
The table has been set.
A big family dinner! If I’m counting correctly, there were 31 of us sharing this meal.
I’m still in awe of how many empanadas I was able to eat! They were so delicious and I have been craving them ever since! Guillermo (Gloria’s husband) showed me the ropes, by stuffing them full of lettuce and tomatoes and salsa. Nomnomnom…
Part 2 will be posted tomorrow morning! I swears.
oh my gosh – i want to go back now! i can’t believe that how much the kids have grown! And hey, so what if the two youngest Tharps don’t play BB – they have other amazing traits!! thank you for sharing! xxwac
What a beautiful presentation to draw us into your Neuvo Laredo experience! Kat is the next presidential campaign manager, and all the Tharps are Ambassadors of Love from New England to Mexico. Thanks to you all, and wish I could go with you!
After rewinding, I now realize that Rainbeau is the author of this presentation. Thanks, Rainbeau!!
First, Kat and Duncan are not the only kids who traveled to Mexico without basketball skills; I predict they will join in when the spirit moves them just as our Mexican friends of all ages join in the game, regardless of skill or experience.
As I looked at these pictures, I could hear Rainbeau’s camera clicking; I could feel the warmth of the sun and the friendship; and I could smell the soul food cooking (and hear the chatter of the women in the kitchen); and, most of all, I wanted to slide my chair up to the table and join the gathering.
Such a great insight to your connection with the people of Nuevo Laredo. I’m glad Kat and Duncan were finally able to experience first hand what their family has been experiencing for ten years!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have enjoyed hearing about each and every trip through the years. I understand how much this place and these people are held in my brother’s and his family’s heart–and now my mom can share it. You are all amazing people (not ALL Tharps were always athletic . . . or musical . . . or great cooks . . .) but we can spin a great story in a variety of ways! You have preserved the tradition here. That trait, my friend, remains consistent. Thanks again so much for sharing.
Thanks, Beau, for sharing your photos of your family time in Mexico! A wonderful experience for you all, and I imagine Kat and Duncan are ready to return! I wish my kids could have had this experience when they were in high school.
Awesome, Rainbeau! I too am craving empanadas now as well as the warmth and love of our Mexican family. Sorry Nathan didn’t make it, but it looks like a pretty great Tharp Feb. vacation anyway. Sending love and greetings to you!
Well, if I get the big picture looking at your photos, Beau, I can only imagine what a great trip this was for Kat and Duncan! I loved Bill Boesch’s words:
“I could hear Rainbeau’s camera clicking; I could feel the warmth of the sun and the friendship; and I could smell the soul food cooking (and hear the chatter of the women in the kitchen)”
The Tharp family does GREAT things. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love,
Sherry
What a beautiful presentation to draw us into your Neuvo Laredo experience! Kat is the next presidential campaign manager, and all the Tharps are Ambassadors of Love from New England to Mexico. Thanks to you all, and wish I could go with you!
Rainbeau,
I have tried over the years to describe the food and the women preparing it in the kitchen. Your photos bring my inadequate desrciptions to life. I have never had such wonderful food, anywhere.
Bill