Ox Penis Soup...

This was not a day I was looking forward to, but I figured... eh, you only live once. Gotta try it all.
It was my friend's going away party and she couldn't leave Loja without first trying the infamous Caldo de Nervio... roughly translated Ox Penis Soup. When we arrived at "Amigos" the menu outside proudly displayed, not only Ox Penis Soup, but also tongue and pig's feet... if that didn't satisfy, you could always go for a MIXTURE of the three.

Believe it or not, we had to wait in line to get seated and then our table settled on sharing 4 bowls of a mixture of ox penis and pig's feet. (Which doesn't sit well at 10:30 in the morning!)
When your bowl is set before you, you think, 'No big deal. Just looks like soup.' It's not into you put one of these little things in your mouth that the texture of a fatty like jello substance hits your tongue. So you think, 'Chew and swallow... chew and shallow!' But as you begin to chew you realize that you are chewing on a sponge that won't disintegrate. Now you have two options... do what is natural and throw it up all over the table or swallow. I went against natural instinct and swallowed.
Anyone up for some Ox Penis Soup??
This was probably enough to turn most peoples' stomachs, but for those who want to see more, click here.

Time for some Guinea Pig...

Hair and teeth... skin that has the consistency of fried chicken… sorta and we can't forget the claws. But, it was the teeth I couldn’t get past. My friends thought it would be funny to kiss it, but I just couldn’t get past the teeth! And then I started thinking of my sister’s pet snowball.

I want to tell you that it tastes like chicken, but if I were honest I would say it tastes like a really greasy duck with barely ANY meat on it. Yep, I got to enjoy the fine dining of “cuy” yesterday. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, the translation would be “Guinea Pig.” A picture is worth a thousand words… hope you enjoy as much as I did. (top picture is before... bottom is after)

Guata and Sancocho

"I'll tell you what it is AFTER you try it." That is not a the answer you're wanting to hear when you ask what something is that you're about to eat.
Gloria, one of the wonderful cooks at El Sendero decided to give Candace and I a cultural experience eating Guata and Sancocho de Pescado. When we walked to her families' house we assumed the the food was the only cultural we would experience, but oh how wrong we were. As we walked up to the row of houses, we were introduced to her mom and her brother. Then we were introduced to her sister-in-law, nieces, cousins and the list continued through 6 sisters and 7 brothers and ALL of their children and children's children. Almost all of them live near each other in a 1/2 mile vicinity.
After eating a good portion of Sancocho de Pescado (which is yucca, plantain, and fish - and I LOVED it!), we were introduced to Guata. About 1/2 way through the plate, Gloria asked us if we knew what we were eating. When the "meat" that you are eating has to be chewed more than 5 times in order to be swallowed, it's a good guess that's its some sort of intestine. Gloria was thrilled that we figured out that we were chewing cow intestine and papas covered in a peanut sauce. And to be honest, it wasn't that bad... the texture probably got me more than anything.
After eating, Gloria started telling us her story. I'll save the details for another day, but let's just say that her 6 sister and 7 brother family was not happy when she became a Christian. Imagine a culture where family means everything and then imagine doing something that they, not only disagree with but pretty much disown you over. That is what Gloria, a single mother did some 11 years ago. I am absolutely blown away by the strength and faith that this woman has. I pray that one day you will be able to hear her story from her own mouth, but for now, take my word for it; she is one feisty, strong, faithful, amazing woman of God. And I count myself blessed to have shared my first plate of Guata and Sancocho with her.