Pastel (Pahs-tell)
Pastel: One of the most AMAZING Brazilian snacks, usually sold in farmer’s markets (feira) that open once a week in every neighborhood in São Paulo. Deep fried crispy dough with various types of fillings. One of my favorite flavors, from my neighborhood’s “feira”, is the “Especial” (meaning, well…. special). Half is filled with ground beef, olives, onions and half a boiled egg. The other half is filled with stringy mozzarella cheese, tomato and the other half of the boiled egg. It’s simply delicious.
So… the other night I dreamt I was at a restaurant with the husband and friends. The waitress comes over and takes everybody’s order but mine. She leaves and I’m left confused asking everybody at the table if they were able to order. “Yes” they answer. I’m slightly annoyed. The waitress returns with a tray holding a puffy, crispy, hot and oh so deliciously looking “pastel” and says: “This was ordered from another table but they didn’t want it anymore. Do any of you want to eat it? It’s really good!” I immediately jump up and down, raise both my arms and scream: “Me! Me! MEEE!!!” I’m as excited as a kid who’s just been offered a lifetime chocolate supply. She doesn’t even look at me. She couldn’t have possibly missed the high pitched “me’s”… yet, she tilts her head, shrugs her shoulder and says: “Well, you’re missing out!” as she walks away…
…My jaw falls to the ground. I – am – utterly – disgusted, sad, angry and HUNGRY.
The dream moves on to another restaurant where I’m neglected a bowl of noodles because it’s reserved for someone else…
I wake up frustrated and of course, hungry. Starving for pastel and noodles. What kind of dream is this?
