Archiv
CW 30 2003
21.07. - 27.07.2003
|
SILVER BLUE is still lying in front of Kuanidup. And it really is beautiful here. By now we've made friends with Miguel, the guy who works here on the island. We can buy pineapples, salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, limes and bananas from him, for a friendship-price of US $ 3,50. He says that, since we have fresh fruit and vegetables again now we might as well stay a little longer. Well, we're more than happy to comply! |
 |
 |
Therefore, on Tuesday, we're returning to Rio Sidra with him and a few
others, in his canoe. This one is fitted with an outboard engine, although
these "Ulus" are usually sailed. "Ulus" are the usual
means of transportation here. The reason for our visit in Rio Sidra is a so-called "Chica-Party", a celebration lasting 3 days, to honor the girls whos social status changes from girl to woman at about 12 years old. This is when the girl gets the first colorful tunic of the Kuna woman. It is customary for the girls' father to invite the whole village for the 3-day-festival, which is usually more than gladly accepted. The celebrations continue day and night. |
During the first day people only drink "Chica", the sugar cane
juices fermented with coffee. After some time that produces Alcohol, and apparently
not just a little. Around noon the large community seems rather tipsy, especially
the ladies in their festive clothing.
On the parties second day, apart from plenty of food, only rum is served.
The same on the third day and then the festival ends when the girls' hair
is cut, as a symbol of her having become a woman.
These festivals can cost the father a couple of thousand dollars and are a
great financial burden on him. That's also the reason why Porvenir doesn't
have an immigration officer any more: because he came up with the great idea
of spending all the fees he had collected on such a festival …
|
After a short visit to this "Chica-Party" we return to SILER
BLUE where we are expected by our gecko family (we've counted 3 by now)
and a beautiful "Mariposa" (right). |
 |
 |
An offer we couldn't resist and also, it's about time to try out a recipe from my friend Bernd Schierloh who considers himself to be a master cook. We're having pasta with lobster. For it a delicious sauce is made form the animals shells and together with the tender crayfish meat it's simply irresistibly. Tania and Jean who we'd invited also felt that way. Jean has already been sailing around between these islands for 5 years,
so we decide to sail to Chiceme again with him on Thursday. He knows
a Kuna family there rather well. The Lady of the house prepares an Arroz
con coco in her kitchen hut, we grill a nice fish and we all spend a
great afternoon together. |
|
Apart from a few chicken a cute little monkey who even wearing earrings live here. On Saturday we sail to the close by Porvenir. Maybe we can sign out
here now, after all, it's time for us to get back to Cartagena. |
 |
Until then
Take care
TOM
