Samaritan's Day

Last Friday marked a tradition here in Oaxaca of El Dia de la Samaritana (Samaritan's Day). Inspired by the Biblical account of Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for water (John 4), churches used to give out water on the fourth Friday of Lent. This tradition continues and has spread to businesses and schools as well.

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Great, free water.... But wait! There's more. Aguas means more than mere water here in Oaxaca*. Aguas frescas (literally - fresh waters) represent a myriad of juices - melon, papaya, watermelon, mango, guava, lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, tamarind, strawberry, cucumber, soursop, jamaica, horchata (rice milk), and more. Free water doesn't sound so mundane now, does it? ;-)

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The Spanish teacher (who I ride to school with) brought horchata to OCS - horchata (rice milk with cinnamon) with pecan bits and melon slices. Mmm mmm good :-).

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On Sunday we had aguas frescas again, this time a favorite flavor of the region chilacayote (similar to a pumpkin). While a favorite of the region, it is unfortunately not a favorite of many Americans - mainly because it is thick with stringy things and large seeds :-). Below is a picture of it being served at the church. At least I enjoyed it more this time around, now that I knew what to expect ;-).

So, happy belated Samaritan's Day to you all.

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*I can't let you go without telling you that one more important meaning of aguas is that of warning. Apparently back in the day when there were chamber pots in bedrooms, people would shout "Aguas!" before dumping the contents onto the street below. Now it has come to mean "Look out!" or "Careful!" Handy to know, eh?