Grupo 2/Group 2. Elyse, Aymre, Bailey
Hello from Villa Purificacion! Today we had a wonderful and educational day. We started at 8:00am sharp for breakfast tacos in the small town’s plaza, the Plaza Mexico-Filipinas. The square’s centerpiece was a water fountain with a stone pineapple, paying homage to the region’s rich history of Asian-Mexican trade (most notably, of pineapples!). Our guest lecturer Dr. Jesús Juan Rosales-Adame (Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara) then lead through an insightful session on the history of the town, of pineapples, and of international trade. Pineapples originated in South America probably from two centres of origin, one in the territory of the Guarani and Tupinambá peoples in southern Brazil and the other more northern, towards the Guayanas. Indeed, the genus Anana comes from the Tupinambá word for ‘excellent fruit.’ There is evidence of pineapple cultivation in Peru and Ecuador a few thousand years ago, and its cultivation began in Mesoamerica about 2.5-3,000 years ago, although how it arrived is a mystery, perhaps via maritime routes. Interestly, there are similarities in cultural practices between the Indigenous peoples of Ecuador and Peru and Mesoamerican peoples (e.g. vertical burials of their deceased). The cultivation of pineapple in Mexico predates the arrival of the Spanish and the notion that the colonists brought it to the region is incorrect.
After a quick AC break at the hotel, we loaded onto our bus and headed to El Morador y Pere Grino, a local organic pineapple planation. Although it’s the dry season, and the fruits are not ready to eat, we got to see the baby pineapples growing on plants, and appreciate all the species growing together beneath the canopy. This planation offers a unique perspective of how agroforestry concepts can be applied to use the land most effectively; cattle feeding on the native crops, mango and cacao trees providing shade for the tolerant pineapple, larger trees used as timber, as well as many native animal species taking advantage of the high diversity. We were also able to sample some of the fruit that was available, including coffee beans, oranges, arrayan, and possibly tricked into eating some very hot wild chilli peppers that are dispersed by birds!
After a second, much appreciated AC break, we went into town to have lunch. At the Restaurante Tapatio they served us tacos, ceviche, tajin covered vegetables, and crab soup. Jesús’ students were kind enough to pour us a round of tequilla shots and show us how to take them “Jalisco style”; this involved taking the shot of tequila, and then having one’s head abruptly and reflexively twist while attempting to not choke on the mouthful of liquor. We, of course, did not choke, but instead witnessed our hosts display their skills.
We settled in for the afternoon, each spending some time on our own relaxing and catching up on other schoolwork. We finished off the night by gathering to listen to Jade’s seminar on Migratory Birds. Overall, we had a lovely time, and we’re ready for an early start tomorrow morning.
Salud!
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- Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria before dawn
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- Meal provided by Jesus
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- delicioso
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- Josh enjoying the tacos
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- Learning of the history of pineapples and local trade
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- In the plaza learning about local history
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- Pineapple fountain in Philippines Square in Villa Purificación
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- Cow on the way to the plantation
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- In the sustainable pineapple plantation
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- Wee pineapple
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- Our host Dr. Jesús Juan Rosales-Adame
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- Large tree in plantation
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- Cacao
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- Gate to one of the plantations
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- Our meal at a local tapas restaurant
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- Our meal at a local tapas restaurant
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- Ciara with her massive piña colada
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- Church in Villa Purificaión
I am really enjoying your blogs, photos and that you are keeping us educated about so much of what you are all experiencing each day! Always looking to see what you are up to in the photos! What a great biology and cultural experience!