Catching up with friends...

One of our favorite couples from Utah showed up in D.C. this weekend with time in their very busy schedule for dinner with us. After a cultural drive through the Northwest district (seriously, how can a salon "Specialize in ALL types of hair?"), we made our way to 9th and U for Ethiopian food. Having lived in Utah for 6 or so years, I can completely appreciate their desire for ethnic cuisine. There is not a single Ethiopian restaurant in the metropolis of Salt Lake City. Which means there's also not a single one probably until you get to Vegas... Hands down, though, the Mexican food is better out west. From street tacos to moles, even guacamole is better there...

But back to Ethiopian. It's one of the few types of food that I really don't know how to order. Everything looks good on the menu, but then the food comes out and some dishes are saucy, others just meat. Luckily, we were smart enough to ask the waitress for help ordering, so we wound up with a mix of both. Also luckily, the food took FOREVER to get to our table. I was starving, but so enjoy catching up with the Smurfs. They regaled us with stories of their three boys, including how their oldest wants a BMX bike for his 5th birthday. They claim it won't be as cool as his friend's.... peer pressure before elementary school, wow. Wish we were still there to hang with them and enjoy their kids growing up...

Sadly or happily, since we moved from Utah, they have taken up cycling. Papa Smurf is riding the MS150 in a few weeks, and Mrs. Smurf is lobbying for a road-bike of her own (her mountain bike and off road triathlon skills are better than his anyway!). Papa Smurf is looking particularly good for the effort. They also travel more than anyone I know. Ireland, Hawaii, D.C. ... when they talk of a cycling trip in Italy - oooo... Italian food I know how to order... I have so much respect for their talent at balancing themselves as individuals and a couple with the challenges of raising a family.