Shrunken Heads

01-04-2011(Joe) Today we saw some real human shrunken heads and thank goodness they weren't ours! Saw them at the Centro Museo de Ecuador. Apparently they, the shrunkenheader I suppose you call them, put wooden splinters thru the lips to close them to keep the evil spirits from escaping. My obvious question is then, what about that gaping hole in the shrunkenheadees neck? Can't the evil spirit get out that way? Pretty weird stuff and a good reason why we are staying out of the Amazon part of the country. Even though human shrunken heading is outlawed, they apparently are allowed to shrink the heads of sloths, so I for one don't want some tribal elder explaining to the policia that he mistook the white gringo for an albino sloth if such a thing exists. You must understand that tobacco and other hallucinogens are all part of the process so the pacific coast definitely seems like the more inviting part of the country and the area we will be exploring next week.

(Sue) Called in at the Carolina Bookstore today, run by two Norte Americano's. Gave us a couple of places to meet up with other expats so we can get some first-hand info from those who have taken the plunge and moved to Ecuador. First meeting is tonight at a local wine restaurant / bar. Tomorrow will report what we learn tonight. Also, as we guessed from our limited experience, the bookstore owner confirmed that the normally mild-mannered, easy going Cuencan's become deranged and aggressive when behind the wheel of a car. Do not assume that they will stop. No, they will run you over and I believe him!