BajaNomad

1978 Pt Escondido trip (3) - The Goat

Skipjack Joe - 12-10-2005 at 10:20 AM

We were totally unprepared for the heat we encountered. We tried to escape it by going to Loreto almost daily. We asked about showers and were told of a resort that was still under construction. The bathrooms were almost complete and we were invited to refresh ourselves until they went into business. And so we did, Val and I in the men?s stall and Vera and Nadine in the other.

One day he and I were enjoying our cokes when Nadine came running breathlessly to tell us what had happened. The girls were taking their shower when the workers showed up. Their jaws just dropped, she said. Vera, being older and feeling a need to be protective of Nadine, could think of only one thing to say at the time in her poor Spanish. She kept repeating ?sin verguenza, sin verguenza? (for shame), at them hoping it would have the desired effect. The workers, meanwhile, were just as astonished as the girls. They couldn?t believe their eyes.

?They just dropped their tools and ran?, laughed Nadine. But Vera was not as forgiving. ?The one on the right. His eyes lingered as he walked out?, she noted.

We often combined our forays to Loreto with shopping. Val and Nadine were particularly fond of this. Val bought this enormous sombrero, the likes of which I had never seen before. It was wider than his shoulders and quite tall. He was so proud of his purchase. He brought it back to Pt. Escondido and hung it up for all to see. But no one would comment on it. He just had to know. Finally he asked Feliciano why he didn?t buy one like that for himself.

?Porque? Porque no soy loco?, was the quick reply.

And so the days went by. We fished and snorkeled and had a great time, totally unaware of our next adventure. It came after a day of fishing. As we approached the beach and saw the girls Val and I knew something big had happened. They could hardly wait to tell us and stood at the water?s edge waving their arms.

A Mexican family from the mainland had arrived early that morning at our campground leading a goat and occupied the cabana next to ours. The senora had brought her own mortar and pestle which she used to grind and later make the tortillas over an open campfire. The goat was slaughtered and butchered in front of the girls right next to our palapa and then hung to drain from one of the rafters. They led me to the spot and showed me the blood stains on the wood, but there was no sign of a goat.

Vera leaned over and whispered ?they made soup with the goat?s blood. I think they?re going to offer it to us.?

She looked behind her from the corner of her eyes, ?Don?t look now, but here comes Feliciano?.

Feliciano slowly walked over with a mischievous smile on his face and graciously invited us to share the meal. He uncovered the lid from an enormous pot and watched me with great interest. Globs of fat and what appeared to be coagulated blood floated on the surface. I declined the offer to eat. Everyone else, however, found the soup to be delicious and many asked for seconds.

[Edited on 12-10-2005 by Skipjack Joe]

Natalie Ann - 12-10-2005 at 11:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Val bought this enormous sombrero, the likes of which I had never seen before. It was wider than his shoulders and quite tall. He was so proud of his purchase. He brought it back to Pt. Escondido and hung it up for all to see. But no one would comment on it. He just had to know. Finally he asked Feliciano why he didn?t buy one like that for himself.

?Porque? Porque no soy loco?, was the quick reply.

[Edited on 12-10-2005 by Skipjack Joe]



Well, this was the coffee splurter of my morning! That Feliciano's quite the jester. I'm having such fun reading this trip report from the past - again, thank you Skipjack.
I'll be here tomorrow ready for part 4.

[Edited on 12-10-2005 by Natalie Ann]

Skipjack Joe - 12-10-2005 at 01:07 PM

I'm glad you're enjoying these stories, Natalie Ann.

Yes, Feliciano had that quick wit that so many latinos seem to have. His answers were always rapid and on the mark. Nothing ever got by him and you never got the best of him.

saludos,
skipjack

bajajudy - 12-10-2005 at 02:25 PM

Ah come on Skipjack...no blood soup for you?
What did they do with the rest of the goat....I know that they didnt waste even an eyelash.
Next time you are in Loreto, be sure to go to El Rey for a taco de cabeza:biggrin:

[Edited on 12-10-2005 by bajajudy]

Sallysouth - 12-10-2005 at 03:15 PM

Keep em comin Skipjack!! Great writing and so visual!! I guess maybe his name WAS Feliciano!!(I like that better than Francisco anyhow!) I gotta ask my Dad about this. He and Mom went down there way before the road was paved. Maybe he has a tale or two to tell also. And yeah, Judy, El Rey has the best "anything" tacos around!:lol:

Mike Humfreville - 12-10-2005 at 05:05 PM

Mas, mas, mas por favor. Great story!