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The drive up from the family´s house was about 2 hours long, everyone (including Merlin, the parrot) was in the van. With the exception of Gabriella who would arrive the next day. The ranch was beautiful, the views were stunning and the animals were abundant. They had cows, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, dogs and cats.
The first day the boys took us on a tour of the whole ranch. They have a ton of property, including an oak forest and a very large pond for irrigating their crops. That night we enjoyed a bonfire outside where Corey and I learnt that the boys had never heard of a smore!! The next day came too fast. We had a very relaxing day, we ended up playing a big game of cops and robbers with the boys and the neighbourhood kids. Upon returning from the very tiring game, we noticed Victor and some of the men who work on the ranch holding lambs upside down over a wooden block. Curiously, we walked up and realised they were holding them down and chopping their tails off...I had to walk away. Victor later told us it was for sanitary reasons.
That night was the big preperation for our brunch the next day. They had just slaughtered a bull and sold everything but the head. We were able to watch them prep the outside pit oven. This included filling it with hot coals, placing agave leaves partially inside and palcing the bull head ontop. It was then fully wrapped in the leaves then the oven was covered with a sheet of metal and dirt was placed on top. They set up a fire on top and left it over night.
The next day we were able to experience bull-head tacos! Something I wouldn´t do again but am happy to say I tried it. Many of the nearby neighbours arrived to join in the preperation and feast. I had one cheak taco which was okay, but for my second I watched the meat cutter chop up some cheak and then scoop out the eyeball!! I felt obligated to eat this thing, it was hard to choke down, especially with Juanpi at the end of the table gagging on his own taco. But I have to say I was suprised with Corey´s choice in bull-head meat, he had the cheak. then the tongue, and then...The brain!! That is the first time I´ve ever seen Corey have to force food down. It was defintely a mind over matter thing, because the food actually didn´t taste bad.
That afternoon we took out the quad and followed the boys on their dirt bikes to the surounding trails in the town. So much fun!!
When we arrived home Gabriella was there and we began the intensive preperation of yet another tradional meal called Paella. This dish consisted of pork, steak, chicken, ribs, clams, whole shrimp, whole octopus, whole artichokes, and other vegitables. It was loaded with spices and a fish/chicken broth. It simmered for 30 minutes and was them covered and steamed for an hour. We then sat down with a glass of Victor´s finest wine and enjoyed the meal with the whole family. It was our final night with them, we left after supper and headed back to Mexico City. The next day we flew to Merida.
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Tia Oh my god..... Barf. Excellent, you can check eat brains off on your life's to do list!