The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (long post)

[OkieMan]

Hi guys,

This post is somewhat of a catch all.  First of all, I want to mention the fact that the Pope died today.  I am not Catholic, but I know that there are many latinas who are. I am just curious to know  from you guys who have novias or wifes who are Catholic; do they discuss with you things like the recent decline of the Pope's health, and now his death, or anything related to the Church organization in Rome?  In other words, is that important to them?  Like I said, I am Protestant, not Catholic; so I do not know about such things.  I am just curious.
Next, I am very interested about the lack of refrigeration situation that you guys are commenting about. Now, I am curious to find out what size refrigerators are common in Colombian households  - or other LA countries too?  If it is a lack of space situation, that might account for it.  Naturally, the money to own a refrigerator might also be a factor.  When I was in Cali last year, looking at the refrigerators was not exactly on my "to do" list.  But, now, since you guys are talking about all the joys of possible food poisoning; that really got my attention!  I know that when I lived and travelled in Europe many years ago, it was still very common for the people there to not have a refrigerator.  They simply shopped for what they needed for a day or two.  Also, they do not seem to go in for having a cool beverage, of any type.  They drink coffee or hot tea. They drink their beer or other spirits at room temperature.  Same goes for soft drinks. Frankly, I hated that I could not get ice there.  By the way, that was back in the 70's. But, for the most part, Europe has a cooler climate than LA.  So, it would be very difficult for me to get used to warm or room temperature drinks.  When I went to restaurants there, I didn't seem to have a problem with getting ice. By the way, when I stayed at Latin-Internet last August, I really enjoyed the good breakfast that the cook there made me each morning (for the most part).  But, one morning one of things she made me was cold cereal (corn flakes, I think), with warm/heated milk.  That really grossed me out! I could only eat a bit or two.  But, they really do get into the eggs.  However, I try to limit my intake of eggs.  The doctor says I need to watch my cholestrol.

                                  OkieMan

[utopiacowboy]

... in response to The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (long ..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 2, 2005

For a second there I thought you were putting the big guy on ice.

In response to your question, my wife and I did discuss the Pope's health as it was declining and his recent death. We attend Mass every Sunday - on the first and third Sundays of the month they have a Mass in Spanish and the other two Sundays we go to a Mass in English. Of course we are both Catholic so in some ways that makes things easier. You will find all types of women there - some will be devout Catholics like my wife and others will only be Catholic in name.

My wife owned a normal size refrigerator which she used pretty much the same way we would. She did not have a washer since it was cheaper to have a woman come in and wash the clothes by hand every week. Before she came here she said she was going to wash clothes by hand since it was easier on the clothes but she gave up that idea fairly quickly!

[Pete E]

... in response to The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (long ..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 2, 2005

Your title about the pope dying and refrigeration was a weird reminder to me of funerals here.They most always happen the day after the person dies.Because they do not have cold storage for bodies the officials want them buried fast.So if a family member is  out of the country there is usually no time to attend the funeral.

Pete

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (l..., posted by Pete E on Apr 3, 2005

Yeah that was a bit different for me...

The Vaginazuelan had some funerals and she told me that they have the body in the house. I thought that it sounded like an older traditional Catholic ceremony, or something like here, back when viewings took place in a relative's home.

When someone died she had to go right away because of this.
Well for one friend of hers, there was a family member that could not make, and she said they kept the body in the house until this relative could make it a month later. I was a bit shocked, and she said that it was very rare, but they had to do it. After a lot of "No Way's???" she just commented that it started to smell, but other than that it was no big deal to her. Typically they went for 2 days and there is no embalming either.

V-Dude

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (l..., posted by Pete E on Apr 3, 2005

Pete,

I can appreciate that the weather would dictate certain considerations about burial.  But, don't they embalm people there?  I am sure the climate in Cali is roughly comparible to Florida, and I am not aware of any unusual hurry they have about burial there.  Of course, I could be wrong.  Changing the focus a little, but you are right.  After I wrote my title for my post, I looked again and thought it might sound like someone was going to put the Pope on ice or something.  I meant no disrespect, but that could be a little humorous! ha  I guess you heard about the family squabble inside Ted Williams' family?  When he died a few years ago, I think it was his son that had his body frozen.  I think Ted was living in Arizona, so maybe they have old Ted in some "meat locker" situation in Phoenix!  ha  I really admired his baseball career, but what a way to deal with the dead! ha   Oh well, to each his own.

                            OkieMan

[valleydude]

... in response to The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (long ..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 2, 2005

Okie Dude!

This is a weird post. I was going to be sarcastic and say something about stoves, yet answer seriously. Then at the end, I see this post was by you and I know that you are pretty sincere in all your questions. (I just clicked it because of the Pope w/o seeing who it was from)

Anyway, When I was in Venezuela their fridge was better than anything I had here. Her Mom and Dad had a double wide stainless steel fridge and I was quite surprised. Not because of the refridgeration, but because I know this praticular fridge would be expensive here and we hear how money is a factor there. Even if I encountered a fridge-less babe, you can bet I would go off to a place with ice and offer to buy them out. My point: There has to be ice somewhere and 50 bucks, a drop in the hat to us, can probably buy a lot of it.

"Take me to (where ever)! ... Dude! How much ice can this get me?" That is the rationale I would use. When a man needs to make things work, he makes them work. Ya know?

All in all, Maricabo had some pretty poor parts of town, but I know I could have come up with some ice if it was a "life or death" situation. I didn't sweat the food poisoning. So, you get the s***s for a couple of days. On a positive note, this gives me an oppurtunity to gauge how much the chick really cares. (or her sense of humor... haha!)

On a serious but humorous note, my only concern has been the plumbing. There is no way I can s*** over a hole in the floor, or be without toilet paper. Man! No way! When it comes time to visit, I begin asking all questions and then let them know that I am trying to be prepared... They are pretty understanding. A perfect time to bring this up is when the "Differences between our countries" conversation happens.

In these conversations when a visit is a possibility; I have found that a girl who cares, wants to accomodate.

Have fun!

V-Dude

[OkieMan]

... in response to Re: The Pope Died, refrigeration, etc (l..., posted by valleydude on Apr 2, 2005

Hey Valleydude,

That post was hilarious! I laughed by butt off!  ha So, you were going to make some comment about stoves in LA?  I don't know about that either.  Take care.

                       OkieMan

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: Re: The Pope Died, refrigeration, et..., posted by OkieMan on Apr 2, 2005

Stoves and coffee makers.

Thanks, I'm glad you took it the right way.

V-Dude