testmeat photoblog

partly as a consequence of not wanting to climb the mountain that is my galapagos photos, i had a look through my archives to see what i could post. i realised that there were a whole stack of pictures that i had intended to post and talk about, but never got around to. i think this was partly because i took a summer break from the website when i went to volunteer at the internetless senda verde and subsequently had monkey photos and stories to share. also it seems my weak immune system had a part to play as the only photo i've posted from this day alludes to something unwritten. well now i shall write. i've already talked about going inside the mines in potosi, and the gruelling conditions the miners have to endure. it's very much part of the culture there, and in addition to this a handful of times a year they perform a ceremony which essentially serves to bless the mine in the hope of bringing good fortune. i attended one of these ceremonies which involved playing live music, drinking nearly 100% proof alcohol and sacrificing llamas. the llamas would be slaughtered at the entrance to the mine, with the blood then collected and thrown over the opening. they would then skin, gut and chop up the dead animals to cook and eat. witnessing this was both interesting and gruesome for me and the handful of other tourists who attended. the whole mining community were there, which included wives and young children. in my western mind it felt like something that a young child shouldn't have to witness, but they did with curiosity and respect. and i came to understand why it was that so many generations grew up and followed their fathers footsteps working in the mines. put simply it's just part of their culture. this shot is of three generations of a family preparing the sacrificial barbeque.

here's the original