We spent a long weekend in Tinum, a Mayan village located about 2 hours from Merida. Two former Central professors bought land and built a house here 15 years ago. Since their retirement, they have been inviting students to experience traditional village life for short periods of time. The professors organize home stays and a series of talks and demonstrations to augment the experience. In the photo below, Myra is learning to shell corn
In this photo, Keith is harvesting squash using a short machete known as a "koa." The object is to grab the squash using the sharp point of the koa and then toss it into the basket. When full, the basket weighs between 30-35 kilos. This same basket is used when harvesting corn. The normal practice is to plant corn, squash and beans all at the same time. The squash provides ground cover while the beans grow up the corn stalk. Unfortunately, last year's crops were lost due to drought. For many students, this was the first time they had been exposed to subsistence farming.
The man pictured below is climbing onto his hunting perch. He sits here in the dark waiting to hear the sounds of predators including deer, a kind of possum/badger known as a tejon, and wild pigs. When he hears a sound, he switches on a flashlight he wears strapped to his head and shoots. We were absolutely fascinated by the hunting tripod. None of the students who attempted to climb into the seat were able to do so.
A group photo with our Mayan and Gringo hosts
For the most part, students were required to move waaaaayyyyyy outside of their comfort zones. Some did so easily while others panicked and sought shelter with the retired professors. They were able to make corn tortillas by hand over an open fire. They slept soundly in hammocks, lulled to sleep by the sounds of wild turkeys and barking dogs. They experienced the rhythm of days filled with hard labor that started with sunrise and ended at sunset. As for me, I was right there with them and look forward to returning with another group
In this photo, Keith is harvesting squash using a short machete known as a "koa." The object is to grab the squash using the sharp point of the koa and then toss it into the basket. When full, the basket weighs between 30-35 kilos. This same basket is used when harvesting corn. The normal practice is to plant corn, squash and beans all at the same time. The squash provides ground cover while the beans grow up the corn stalk. Unfortunately, last year's crops were lost due to drought. For many students, this was the first time they had been exposed to subsistence farming.
The man pictured below is climbing onto his hunting perch. He sits here in the dark waiting to hear the sounds of predators including deer, a kind of possum/badger known as a tejon, and wild pigs. When he hears a sound, he switches on a flashlight he wears strapped to his head and shoots. We were absolutely fascinated by the hunting tripod. None of the students who attempted to climb into the seat were able to do so.
A group photo with our Mayan and Gringo hosts
For the most part, students were required to move waaaaayyyyyy outside of their comfort zones. Some did so easily while others panicked and sought shelter with the retired professors. They were able to make corn tortillas by hand over an open fire. They slept soundly in hammocks, lulled to sleep by the sounds of wild turkeys and barking dogs. They experienced the rhythm of days filled with hard labor that started with sunrise and ended at sunset. As for me, I was right there with them and look forward to returning with another group
3 comments:
that looks like so much fun! if/when I ever make the trip down I want to go there.
had you done this before?? did you know this couple from back in the day??
This was one of three new excursions this semester. I missed the first one to a biocultural reserve that received mixed marks from the students and the professor who accompanied them. Another new trip was the student exchange with the univresity in the southern part of the state that received high marks from students and this was the third that was also voted a keeper.
Yes, Jim Schultze was a former professor of mine.
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