Guam Day 41: Friday Night Lumpia

 

3/25/2022 - Let me start this post by saying, our host family is amazing and very gracious!! I do want to let it be known though,Vilma and Arsenio have initiated a full out food battle of which side can provide more yummy food for tasting. Of course, I am just an innocent bystander in all this. (laugh please, if the food shows up, I will eat it). Joan is the mastermind cook on this side. Its kind of like watching a tennis match, in this case the food is the ball, and between the big house and the tiny house, the ball is being hit back and forth. There is no complaints here, other than soon I will have to start two a day work outs to keep up with the calorie intake. 

In all seriousness, once again I am realizing just how lucky we are. This is something that we both have given a lot of thought to, and I don't think we could have landed in Guam with a more hospitable family to show us the ropes. Lots of blessings, on top of the already neat opportunity to be overseas just post marriage. We appreciate all the support, thoughts, prayers, and opportunities that our family, friends, co workers, companies, and adopted host parents have given us. Thanks once again if I haven't said it enough. 

Now the spotlight of the post, Lumpia and friendship. 

Lumpia is new word for Joan and I, but the concept of a hot fresh fried spring roll I would say makes a lot of sense. Here on Guam, these tasty morsels, can be found at many restaurants and establishments, interestingly all with a slightly different take depending on what country the restaurant is representing. We have seen Vietnamese Lumpia that have a rice noodle and meat filling, Pilipino Lumpia, which are more like a meatball center, and some unnamed Lumpia that are just noodles or even banana filled. The critical piece that makes this asian dish so good, is the thin crispy, flakey, outer shell that is best served hot right out of the simmering oil. Can you tell that Joan and I are foodies? Like I said two a days may be coming. 

Friendship between Vilma, Arsenio, Arthur, and Digo continues to grow for Joan and I. We are very fond of our host family. Joan said the other day, one of her learnings from peace core was: to bring people together, make sure you gather around food. It seems to be working quite well. Even Digo was happy to see me today, lets be real though, fresh lumpia will bring out the better side of any dog. We spent a good hour or so chatting away the evening as the sun began to set and that tropical breeze slowly came in to close out the night. Great friends, we look forward to our next "volley" of food to come.