Thursday, Nov 17, 2016

Easton and Paul on way to coast

Easton and Paul on way to coast

Easton headed for the coast to meet his friend flying in from the States. They are going to be hanging out in Ayampe and Montanita mostly. Easton is hoping to get some good surfing in while he is there.

While Heidi was exercising and Michelle was doing her Spanish lesson I headed outside to bake in the bright sun. Today I decided to walk up the Yanuncay. I’ve only gone this way twice before when I’ve been running with Chase and Easton. I’m gasping for air so bad I don’t really get to enjoy what the river looks like at this end.

When the sun is out and glistening off the water in the river bed, and the green branches of the tall cyprus trees hang lazily over the river, it is absolutely beautiful. There isn’t as much traffic at this end of Primero de Mayo either, so it is a quieter experience.

Scenes along the Yanuncay

Scenes along the Yanuncay

Yanuncay River Walk

Yanuncay River Walk

Along the Yanuncay

Along the Yanuncay

At one part of the river there are several colorful tents set up with people working underneath them. It looks like they are pulling corn kernels but I’m not certain. The corn here with very large kernels is called choclo. It is used to make corn bread and a corn beer.

I’m not certain this is what is going on, but when the pile of kernels is large enough on the table under the tent, they are put into a barrel and washed in the river. Then someone stands in the barrel and mashes the kernels.

making-chicha

I am wondering if it is chicha, a beer made from corn. However, traditionally the corn kernels are chewed up and spit out, The enzymes from the spit begin a fermentation process that makes the beer. So whatever is being made today, it looks like it is being stomped on and not spit out, so I’m not sure it is chicha.

Can someone tell me what is being made?

Chau.