DianaT
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Pulpo y Lobos Marinos
We had arrived in Bahia Asuncion on Wednesday, and it was now Monday. We were ready to scrub up some more tile floor, and clean more windows---maybe
even paint a little--then Armando, our builder arrived.
We communicate fairly well with Armando, our little Spanish, and he is now comfortable enough with us to practice his little English. But this time
he brought along one of his brothers, Hector, and a visiting sobrino (nephew), Jesus who speaks a lot of English --- we all just needed to be sure we
really understood each other.
Out of the blue, Jesus said Hector wanted to invite us to go out with him to check his pulpo (octopus) traps. Actually, they were inviting John and
were a little surprised I wanted to go. We looked at each other and spent about 10 seconds thinking about our plans to clean and paint, then jumped
on the opportunity to share in this part of life in Bahia Asuncion.
We don't eat pulpo, and probably never will, but that didn't matter.
Off we went
Hector, our captain
First he checks his crab trap--he keeps some for bait, and the rest are returned to the sea.
Jesus shows us a crab up close and personal -- they both wanted to make sure we enjoyed and saw everything
Some other creatures that are returned to the sea appear in some of the traps.
Didn't want to touch this guy
Some traps that he decides to put in new locations
The Pulpo
This guy wanted his share
The traps were cleared and back in the water, and then suddenly they asked us if we wanted to see these guys
los lobos marinos---the sea lions on the island. There are only about 3500 of them and we can hear them barking from our home. It was windy and not
the best photo taking situation, but we were not about to say no.
We have seen lots of sea lions before, but never so many in one place, nor heard them so loud as their barks echoed off the rocks.
There were a few of these guys also hanging around
It was time to head back---water was quite rough, and if I had stood up like them, I would be in Davy Jones Locker.
Before we hit shore, the pulpo are dealt with---their heads are twisted off---not a part I really enjoyed, but a real part of the job.
And the heads are fed to the birds
Back to shore we head
And one last picture---one that made me think about Bernie and his Avatar --Jesus is handing a shell creature to John to see before it is returned to
the ocean.
So glad we decided to leave window and floor cleaning for another day. 
Diane
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Cypress
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jdtrotter, Thanks. Super pics. Washing windows and floors can be done anytime. 
What breed of camera?
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Don Alley
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Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Nice!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
jdtrotter, Thanks. Super pics. Washing windows and floors can be done anytime.
What breed of camera? |
My new camera is the Cannon Rebel XT---I am still learning how to use it and when in these situations, I tend to use the program mode which is close
to point and shoot---not enough time to remember what I need to try. But I will learn. The water was rough and just would not hold still for me.
I will say, however, even with point and shoot, I love this camera. I just hated that delay on my old cannon. 
Oh, some of the floors and windows are still waiting to be cleaned ---- soon. 
Diane
[Edited on 6-27-2007 by jdtrotter]
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Cypress
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jdtrotter, Thanks for the info and good luck with everything.
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Iflyfish
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Registered: 10-17-2006
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Wow, what a gift. Thanks for taking us along on this wonderful adventure. Magic, there is magic in Mexico. What fun!
Iflyfish
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
Wow, what a gift. Thanks for taking us along on this wonderful adventure. Magic, there is magic in Mexico. What fun!
Iflyfish |
It was a really nice gesture that we REALLY appreciated. Can't wait to get back down there---hope you make it there soon. Any chance you will be
there for the fishing tournament?---Maybe another 50 pounder?
Happy travels
Diane
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shari
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Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I can't wait to see you gorfing down octopus...at our family gatherings we usually fry it in the disco and it is so darn delicious you just have to
try it and will love it. You will be surprised at the new things you will eat here. I hope you don't learn it love fish eyes so I'll have to share
them with you! Great pics gal...glad to see you got out there.
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Diver
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Registered: 11-15-2004
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Octopus !! Yummy !!
I can't wait to taste your version.
edit "4" culinary firsts for me with Shari or Juan cooking;
Abalone
Giant Sea Snails
Sheepshead Stew
Waffle French Toast
All very yummy in my tummy!! 
.
[Edited on 6-28-2007 by Diver]
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Iflyfish
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Can't make the tourney this year. I sure wish I could. Hope Juan catches the big one! He sure knows his stuff.
Keep the postings coming.
Iflyfish
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Diver
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Geeze Louise I wish I could get down there !!
Any Nomads heading south towards Asuncion early in August with room for me and fishing gear ?? I could fly to meet you in SD. I'll buy beer. I'll buy
food. I'll drive. Please, pretty please ?
.
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Martyman
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So octopus are caught in fine mesh crab like traps? In the mediteranean the catch then in ceramic vases tied on a rope every 5-8 feet. I guess they
crawl in looking for a new home. Love those seafood c-cktails!!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
So octopus are caught in fine mesh crab like traps? In the mediteranean the catch then in ceramic vases tied on a rope every 5-8 feet. I guess they
crawl in looking for a new home. Love those seafood c-cktails!! |
Yup, fine mesh traps with a narrow opening are used and the crabs are used as bait. So besides seaweed, the only other critters caught are very
small---they are returned to the sea.
It would be fasinating to see the ceramic vases used for pulpo.
Still not sure I will eat pulpo, but we will see.
Diane
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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Diane
You truly understand, don't you! That picture will be etched in my mind until...................whenever.........It did bring tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much.............That was about the highest compliment I have ever received and, yes! I have received many in my long life.
I just looked and this is so funny............The story I will post tomorrow is titled.........."Hunting the Octopus"
P.S. I have stolen that picture and re-titled it "Hands of Friendship".................just in case I have a senior moment I can look over my monitor
and it will remind me of a couple I hope to meet one day.
[Edited on 6-29-2007 by Baja Bernie]
[Edited on 6-29-2007 by Baja Bernie]
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DianaT
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Bernie
| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
You truly understand, don't you! That picture will be etched in my find until...................whenever.........It did bring tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much.............That was about the highest compliment I have ever received and, yes! I have received many in my long life.
I just looked and this is so funny............The story I will post tomorrow is titled.........."Hunting the Octopus" |
Can't wait to read your story about Octopus hunting.
Yes, Bernie, people are so much the same, and governments mess it all up. Your simple avatar says so much.---and I just hoped that picture added
another element to that understanding.
Diane
[Edited on 6-29-2007 by jdtrotter]
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bajajudy
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Dont they eat the crabs. Looked like stone crabs to me. You are supposed to take one claw and throw them back in. They grow another one for their
next trip to your crab pot. People stand in line for hours in Miami for Joe's Stone Crab Claws.
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bajajudy
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PS
You should try pulpo. I am sure the Shari knows how to prepare it so it is tender and yummy.
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DianaT
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Bernie
Your title to the picture was just as what I wanted it to be.
We hope to meet you at a Baja Nomad function, or hey, just head south and you will be welcome.
Diane and John
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
Dont they eat the crabs. Looked like stone crabs to me. You are supposed to take one claw and throw them back in. They grow another one for their
next trip to your crab pot. People stand in line for hours in Miami for Joe's Stone Crab Claws. |
We know absolutely nothing about this---it was a real first for us. Everything they did just seemed to flow with what felt like generations from the
past. All the little crabs went back to sea. We saw a few things that made us cringe, but that came from our very different perspective of living
and making a living.
Still not sure we can eat pulpo---they are such intelligent creatures. But then again, we are major hypocrites, we eat pig and we really respect the
intelligence of pigs.
Diane and John
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