The day I ate cuyes ... (aka Guinea Pig!)
Last day in Ecuador.
I made my way down from Riobamba to Alausi via what is known as El Nariz Del Diablo (The Devil´s Nose). I woke up early (6.15 am) to make it to the train elated by the expectation of a fantastic train ride through the Andes. As I arrived to the train station my sense of elation was quickly reduced to zero as I looked in horror at the hord of middle aged german tourists trying to get the best seats on the train. I should have expected this as I knew that this was basically a "tourist ride" but still...german, sandals and socks...sigh!
Despite the lack of Indiana Jones look-alikes, the views over the Andes was spectacular. The actual train line was opened in 1908, climbs to 3200m and the best part is that it does a double zigzag and two switchbacks. Not bad for an ol´train! A friend from work who had taken the same ride a few years back had recommended sitting on the roof of the train as this was supposedly allowed. Unfortunately due to the fatal accident of two japanese tourists in February the President of Ecuador has personally forbidden access. Booh...
I then made my way south to Cuenca, a city founded in 1557 (another UNESCO World Heritage Site...I should keep count how many I have visited). There seems to be a theme to my random encounters as I started talking to a young french girl called Clara and a french physics teacher with rastas called Julien. We were all sharing the same dorm room (with a french canadian and an english guy) so they quicky became my Cuenca possee!
I enjoyed Cuenca a lot. The weather was pleasant, the city safe and the people very friendly. I usually try and have my breakfast (ie. a roll and choco milk) in the Central Parque of the place I happen to be in. This time, I sat down on a bench next to an old man who must have been very popular as everyone was saying hello to him and calling him "Colonel". I ended talking to him for some time, and he told me lots of stories of his time in the Ecuadorian Air Force.
Changing the subject, I tried the regional delicacy Cuyes (aka guinea pig). I have never really been a pet person, nor have I had any guinea pigs (or probably seen one either to be honest) but it was rather disturbing to see these guinea pigs being broched and BBQ-ed with their heads still on.
But I did it...and well it didn´t taste of much. I don´t want to say chicken (everything can taste like chicken) but maybe more like rabbit, small bones, very little meat and quite fatty. Needless to say I downed a can of Coke afterwards ... just in case!
I made my way down from Riobamba to Alausi via what is known as El Nariz Del Diablo (The Devil´s Nose). I woke up early (6.15 am) to make it to the train elated by the expectation of a fantastic train ride through the Andes. As I arrived to the train station my sense of elation was quickly reduced to zero as I looked in horror at the hord of middle aged german tourists trying to get the best seats on the train. I should have expected this as I knew that this was basically a "tourist ride" but still...german, sandals and socks...sigh!
Despite the lack of Indiana Jones look-alikes, the views over the Andes was spectacular. The actual train line was opened in 1908, climbs to 3200m and the best part is that it does a double zigzag and two switchbacks. Not bad for an ol´train! A friend from work who had taken the same ride a few years back had recommended sitting on the roof of the train as this was supposedly allowed. Unfortunately due to the fatal accident of two japanese tourists in February the President of Ecuador has personally forbidden access. Booh...I then made my way south to Cuenca, a city founded in 1557 (another UNESCO World Heritage Site...I should keep count how many I have visited). There seems to be a theme to my random encounters as I started talking to a young french girl called Clara and a french physics teacher with rastas called Julien. We were all sharing the same dorm room (with a french canadian and an english guy) so they quicky became my Cuenca possee!
I enjoyed Cuenca a lot. The weather was pleasant, the city safe and the people very friendly. I usually try and have my breakfast (ie. a roll and choco milk) in the Central Parque of the place I happen to be in. This time, I sat down on a bench next to an old man who must have been very popular as everyone was saying hello to him and calling him "Colonel". I ended talking to him for some time, and he told me lots of stories of his time in the Ecuadorian Air Force.
Changing the subject, I tried the regional delicacy Cuyes (aka guinea pig). I have never really been a pet person, nor have I had any guinea pigs (or probably seen one either to be honest) but it was rather disturbing to see these guinea pigs being broched and BBQ-ed with their heads still on.
But I did it...and well it didn´t taste of much. I don´t want to say chicken (everything can taste like chicken) but maybe more like rabbit, small bones, very little meat and quite fatty. Needless to say I downed a can of Coke afterwards ... just in case!
2 Comments:
hmmm! charmant!
Yeech!
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