This morning we left the Andes and after a fairly long and winding ride we reached the Amazon basin. Our lodge is on the Napo River and to reach almost all of our activities we travel by motorized canoe. This afternoon we headed to a Quichuas village to learn about agriculture in the indigenous communities. Although their homes are now likely to have big screen TVs and wifi, they are making sure they are preserving the knowledge of their traditions. Our host demonstrated how to make chicha. It is made from mushed cassava and grated sweet potato. I wasn't a fan--it sort of tasted like drinking yeast. However, the blow dart lesson was a lot of fun. The tube is made from a type of palm tree. Aiming it is more challenging than it looks. I didn't hit the wooden monkey but I'm pretty sure I scared it.
After we returned to our lodge we had a cooking demonstration. Many dishes here can be cooked slowly in palm leaves. We were offered grubs, cassava, palm heart, tilapia, and plantains. See if you can figure out which is which--the grub is obvious. Dad tried the grub--I of course did NOT. Learning lots. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
27 Comments
Mrs.B
5/9/2017 07:13:16 am
We are wondering how the grub tasted? What is the stuff that looks like rice? We think we know which is the tilapia and which are the plantains.
Reply
Diane
5/9/2017 05:13:56 pm
Ray liked the grub. He said it was cooked right through so it wasn't really gooy. The stuff that looks like rice is chopped up palm heart.😄
Reply
Diane
5/9/2017 08:56:21 am
Ray liked the grub. He said it was cooked right through so it wasn't really gooy. The stuff that looks like rice is chopped up palm heart.
Reply
Tyler Schaefer
5/9/2017 11:24:11 am
So the grub... do you see them before they are cooked? Was it difficult to think past what it was? Was there seasoning?
Reply
Ray
5/9/2017 04:21:53 pm
The grub is the larva form of a 3 to 4 cm beetle. The did have one living crawling larva for us to see. Today also got to see the beetle while walking in the jungle. I have been trying new things for the last few years so it went in quickly. They have a hot pepper sauce on all meal tables but i skipped it for the beetle.
Reply
MOHA
5/9/2017 11:24:16 am
Have you seen any iquatic animals
Reply
Ray
5/9/2017 04:26:00 pm
The Napo river (tributary of Amazon) flows fast here closer to Andes so large mammals don't come up this far. The water is called white water coming from glacial melt but when I swam in it today I could only see about 12 cm ahead.
Reply
PACA
5/9/2017 11:27:05 am
Were the darts used for the blow gun poisoned tipped
Reply
Ray
5/9/2017 04:34:34 pm
The used an extract from certain vines as arrow poisons It stops the muscles but doesn't poison the meat. Extracts of these vines called Curare are used as a drug during some surgeries
Reply
MNK
5/9/2017 11:27:13 am
Is this prettier than the last place you went?
Reply
Ray
5/9/2017 04:37:13 pm
So hard to compare. This has stunning mountains and big fast rivers and jungles.
Reply
BOWE
5/9/2017 11:29:19 am
Looks yummy, what did it taste like? Why is the tube so long?
Reply
Ray
5/9/2017 05:15:25 pm
It had an interesting taste, some in our group said like chicken, others felt it was more like pork. I did not think it was quite either but good
Reply
SMOG
5/9/2017 11:30:26 am
How long was the blow dart tube? Was it very heavy
Reply
Diane
5/9/2017 05:14:42 pm
2 m and the real ones were sometimes longer
Reply
Billy
5/9/2017 11:30:41 am
What were all the different foods
Reply
Diane
5/9/2017 05:26:55 pm
Heck in the write up Billy and see if you can match them up.
Reply
Mr. N
5/9/2017 01:19:51 pm
Are you going to try guinea pig? How hot was it in the mountains? In the rainforest? Is it difficult to communicate?
Reply
Diane
5/9/2017 05:25:56 pm
Ray is still hoping for guinea pig. It is cool in the mountains and hot in the rainforest. We dress in all kinds of layers. We know a few words of Spanish and we have a guide. This makes communication ok
Reply
Diane
5/10/2017 07:09:19 pm
Hot, humid and beautiful
Reply
Mrs B
5/10/2017 07:09:55 am
I'm curious about your accommodations. Are you comfortable? Would love to see a picture of your lodge or the view from the lodge.
Reply
Diane
5/10/2017 07:08:57 pm
Are places are all unique and fabulous. I will try to take a picture of our hacienda in the morning.
Reply
Hannah5/6 Brennan
5/10/2017 07:11:24 am
What kinds of animals are you going to see there? Which animal are most looking forward to seeing on your trip? What is the most interesting animal you have ever seen on your trips?
Reply
Diane
5/10/2017 07:10:21 pm
I saw a tapir and an ocelot at the rescue centre yesterday. I had never seen those so it was really cool.
Reply
Mrs.B
5/10/2017 07:25:06 am
what is your favorite animal you seen so far
Reply
Diane
5/10/2017 07:11:00 pm
Tapir and Ocelot...I had never seen them before.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Ray & Diane Homewood
Sharing the Blessing of Travel Archives
August 2017
Categories |