This is the 1st post of a 4-part post on my fieldwork experience in Oaxaca, Mexico. This are unedited field notes that show the moments that have nothing to do with technology during my fieldwork. Here is where I explain the context for why I’m sharing these notes. (Post 1,Post 2,Post 3,Post 4)

I am so sad to leave Sabinillo. Today was our last morning and everything would be much more meaningful as it would the “the last” of whatever.  We got up and Esmeralda was still sleeping but everyone else had woken up. We sat at the breakfast table as Eusevia served all of us some yummy tortilla breakfast. We also had some of the chayote from Magdelena…

Joaquin at the very last minute said that he couldn’t join us on a hike because he had received a call about a job. I told him that I was very sad that he couldn’t come with us because this was the day we were going to eat the chinches!  Someone had called him at his house and asked him to transport water so he had to take the last minute job. 

As we were walking, we all kept an eye out for the chinche. I wasn’t sure what to expect. In my mind I was expecting for them to catch some kind of tiny bird. 

Maria showed me the little basket weaving that she said the chiches would run into when we created the fire. So then again, I thought we’re going to find birds!

As we were walking, Leonel started screaming that he found some chinches. I looked at his hand and realized it was a freaking insect! it was a full on cockroach looking specimen with legs and wings. And before I could even scream Cristobol put the chinche in his mouth. Then Yuxi found one and put it in her mouth too. They both seemed to enjoy the insects. Then they told us that it was our turn. I said that they were way no way I could eat the insect - I have never even touched an insect before! I have extreme insectaphobia and scream at the site of a cockroach or spider. But Tanya then said that she could do it.  I didn’t believe her, but then the kids just kept encouraging us. then I said I would eat it if they took the legs off it which would effectively kill the insect. So Tanya and I agreed to eat it. I tried not to flip it. I couldn’t touch it so I needed the kids to put it in my mouth. I flipped out. I thought the insect would come back alive in my mouth. The taste wasn’t too bad. I was waiting for the spicy taste because everyone said that Chinches were spicy. After some quick chewing I separated out the insects body onto my tongue and before I spit out I showed the camera (Tanya was shooting) the insect’s body on my tongue as proof that I ate an insect. But then everyone kept saying that we had to one “en vivo” - live. I was thinking that there was no way I could do that but I would just keep hiking. 

We then continued on the trail to look for more chinches because Maria said that the chinches that we ate were too small. And the bigger ones were tastier, but we needed to attract them into the basket with fire. 

We could see the entire village from where we were - it was so quiet - I guess this was perfect chiche gathering hour!

 So I thought all week that were going to hunt for birds and roast them, but now I understood that it we were hunting for insects.  the other word for insects is Beechos - which I didn’t know. I only knew the word “insecto” for insect.  I feel like a dummy! Now I know why all the people had a surprised look on their face when I told them that I was going to eat a Chinche. Here I was thinking that they were impressed I was going to go bird hunting, but they were probably thinking this crazy Chinese girl is going to eat some insects!

We found  open field and Maria started the fire to get the Chinches to come out of hiding. Then they captured them.  I wasn’t brave enough to put the insect in my mouth. But Tanya and I decided that we both had to eat it live - and plus they said that was when the insect was most tasty.

They caught several large chinches. I couldn’t believe that I was going to eat them.

I tried to touch the insect but I panicked.  When Yanette tried to put it in my hand I couldn’t rack up the nerves to actually grab the insect so Cristobol walked on over and put the insect in my hand and I started screaming and had a panic attack. I couldn’t control my screaming and I threw the chinche on the ground.  Yuxi  came over to hug me.  I was hoping that Yanette wouldn’t find it. But she was too smart. She found it. EVeryone kept saying that it wouldn’t do anything to me (no hace nada) but I kept thinking that the insect would bite my lips off.  So finally i thought ok I am going to do this and plus we are grabbing video of this moment - I told Jonny to put in my mouth - he put in my mouth and I flipped out a bit…but i did it! Esmeralda hugged me immediately and everyone was congratulating me. 

I can’t believe that I ate a live insect. I have a complete fear of insects. I am so proud of myself. 

When we came back from the hike, Jacinto still wasn’t there. We prepared our luggage and walked it out to the fields and put them on top of a large can so that the dogs wouldn’t pee on it. 

Post 1 of 4: I touched the stomach of a pregnant Donkey!

Post 2 of 4: spending New Year’s Eve Dancing til 5am

Post 3 of 4: Time for the Jaripeo - Bullriding

Post 4 of 4: Eating Live Insect