Mexico has the world’s smallest volcano, which stands a cute forty-three feet tall.
Mexico, not Egypt, is actually home to the world’s biggest ancient pyramids.
Color TV was invented in Mexico, and so was Caesar salad.
The meteor that caused the extinction of dinosaurs crashed in Mexico.
I tried to turn the facts off as we took our seats at a small table at the back that looked out over a courtyard filled with colorful Mexican tiles and pots and the most incredible green plants.
“So, what appeals to you?” Noah pointed at the menu, which was written on a chalkboard.
“Umm, what do you recommend?”
“Well, guacamole and chips is a classic. So is the spicy bean taco.”
The waiter came up to the table, looking very festive in his Mexican-inspired clothing. He placed a big jug of water down on the table and introduced himself. I was too busy studying the blackboard to reply.
“What’s that?” I pointed to the poster on the wall next to the chalkboard.
“Oh, that’s a competition we run,” the waiter replied.
“To get a free meal?” I asked, reading it.
“Yeah, if you can eat a habanero pepper, the hottest pepper in Mexico, then you get your meal free! Not many people have done it, though.”
“Habanero peppers score 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville heat scale,” I said.
Both the waiter and Noah stared at me.
“Scoville is the heat scale you use to measure foods with. For example, a jalapeño only scores 2,500 to 8,000 max on the scale,” I qualified.
“I didn’t know that,” Noah said, and glanced up to the now open-mouthed waiter.
“Yeah, neither did I,” he said. “I probably should.”
“Cool! I’ll do it!” I said, without thinking too hard.
“You will?” The waiter looked taken aback and so did Noah.
“Why not? Free meal. I don’t want you to pay for everything.”
Noah shook his head. “Really, I don’t mind. Especially if you have to eat the world’s hottest peppers just to get a free meal. It doesn’t seem right.”
“Well, technically, the world’s hottest pepper is the Carolina Reaper, so at least I’m not eating that!”
“At least,” Noah said sarcastically, adding the tiniest head shake to the mix.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” I assured him, and then banged my hand on the table with enthusiasm. “I’ll do it!”
“You sure?” the waiter asked again, eyeing me.
“No, she’s not sure,” Noah piped up.
“No, I am,” I said firmly.
“Cool!” The waiter eyes lit up and he shouted to the rest of the restaurant. “Habanero challenge!”
I heard a few excited whoops come from the direction of the bar and kitchen, and a few patrons also looked up.
