Mate

So how did I really spend my last week? I spent it drinking mate. I learned the ins and outs of preparation and all the associated customs. What a cool social activity! Pour the hot, but not boiling water, over the yerba; pass it to the next person in the circle; drink the savory drink in a timely fashion; pass the mate back to the person in charge; pour more water out of the thermas onto the part of the yerba that's already wet; never stir; continue all afternoon, perhaps into evening. Everyone makes mate slightly different. Some pour the sugar on, some like it amarga. Some mix in orange peels, some mix in coffee. Some like gords with larger openings, some with smaller openings. Basically it's a bit of an art and a very tasty one at that.