Part of the student house PAKASHKA-SACHA is the newly build Choza, a typical house of the local Kichwa Indians. The center of these houses is the fireplace and of course the belonging utensils, the stone cooking pot.
Yesterday we were allowed to inaugurate our cooking pot together in a ritual (cure = heal, consecrate).
To do this, the pot was first cleaned with water and then rubbed with garlic inside and out.
Then the pot was filled with one part milk and 4 parts water up to the rim and then brought to boil on the open fire.
After that, the pot was cooled for the rest of the night.

Next day the pot was ready for full use.
In each Choza always burns a light fire. It keeps insects off, cures the roof with ash and tar and keeps always a pot of Guayuza Tea ready for drinking. Of corse, the fires also is used for cooking, and of corse to keep a nice cosy environment.

I feel privelged to be able to enjoy such a nice experience.