¡Que rico!

How rich?

How flavorful?

I don't even know... 

I am not sure exactly how the phrase translates, but every time my family members try a new food they all say, "¡Que rico!" At first I thought it meant a very hearty, filling food (like a meat and potatoes type dish), and then I went through a phase where I thought it meant sweet (like a dessert), but now I've come to the conclusion that is just a blanket expression used to convey one's satisfaction with a particular dish. 


Anyway, the food here is excellent, but the eating schedule is very different than what I am used to at home. Thee first meal of the day is a breakfast that consists of "pancito" and tea. 

Pancito. Clearly Dr. Atkins never made it big in Chile...

Lunch, or "almuerzo," is the biggest meal of the day, and it is very much like the American dinner. The whole family come home from work or school midday to have lunch together. I think the high schools have a slightly different schedule because I don't cross paths with my siblings when I come home for lunch, but Iván comes home from work every day for almuerzo.  He also sometimes takes a siesta before going back to work-- makes my day every time I hear him snoring! 


Then there is Las Once eaten at about 6pm, which is very similar to breakfast, and finally La Cena, eaten at around 10pm, which I have not really been able to figure out yet. I have heard that some families treat the La Cena as if it were a mini-almuerzo, but in my house La Cena is more of a glorified snack-- fruit, yogurt, etc. 


Overall the system works for me. The only thing I have modified to suit my American tastes is breakfast. Rather than pancito and tea, I have Cheerios and tea, and save the pancito for Las Once. My Chilean family was fascinated when I brought Cheerios into the house. ("So you eat it with milk? Hot or cold milk? Plain milk or strawberry milk?") The first time I actually ate the Cheerios Jessica was there, Abuela was there, and even Cote came in to see what was going on. I was able to cajole them into giving it a try, but I don't think anyone will be partaking with me. I didn't hear any exclamations of "¡Que rico!