September 29, 2012
-
Shrimp De-Heading!
The men are not the only ones who 
work 
during shrimp season- the women of the 
village are also busy. They wait at the riverside to 
receive the men
and rapidly help them de-head and prepare the shrimp for sale before it goes bad. It is dirty work- standing
in muddy water filled with discarded shrimp heads, hands covered in fish slime, mosquitoes buzzing at the water’s edge…but it is good fellowship talking with the women and fishermen. The women taught 
us to grab with shrimp without being stuck with the spines and remove the entire head without taking off the first ring of the body. I have gone twice with the village ladies now and they say I am a natural shrimp de-header! Oh the pride- what a gift, I suppose. :) The fishermen "pay" the shrimp de-headers for their work with shrimp, so I brought home food for us! Paco says I can de-head with the ladies whenever I please if I bring shrimp back for him J.
The church family was all impressed that I was there, and have commented about it to me when I pass them. It was a good way to deepen relationships and form camaraderie with the people of the village.
