supernovice

22AUG02

" Our first day of training we did a jungle survival course of instruction put on by these guys. They really did a great job and put a lot of effort into it, surprising us all. The final station was a bit unnerving and Ill tell you why. They told us that it was a formality in the jungle that when you meet the natives that they take you into their home and welcome you and such. The tradition is that they share with you a traditional drink called chicha. Its like a strong beer made from fermented yucca. I told them I wasnt interested but it was considered an insult if you didnt accept it, and they looked a bit offended, so I drank a cup. Not bad really, kind of a bizarre taste, but it was palatable. Then, another of the guys came up and handed me another cup, again I declined and it looked like it hurt his feelings. He insisted. I obliged. After that I said no more, thanks. And all was cool. Then, out of curiosity, I asked how it was produced. The explanation was nothing shy of appalling. There is one person in the family assigned to make the drink, usually a young girl. The yucca is mashed into clumps. Then the girl takes the chunks into her mouth and chews it, mixing it with her saliva until it forms a paste. Then she spits it into a vat. After gallons of this putrid concoction are formed, it sits in this vat for 3 days fermenting. Then, there you have it. I thought I was going to fucking DIE! I was so sick, angry, disgusted, and shocked that I was going to kill one of the little bastards. How could you be so savage? So, they let me squirm and wretch for a little bit, then told me that the crap we drank was actually from a factory in town, and they dont make it in the traditional fashion. Nonetheless, I think I learned an important lesson about taking things offered to you by strange cultures."