Maaking agave fiber

Manta, Ecuador

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January 29th 2010
Manta, Ecuador Our tour in Ecuador took us to Monte Cristi, a small town near the port. We learned that Panama hats are not made in Panama, but in Monte Cristi, and some other towns in Ecuador. It is here that agave is used for hats, sacks, and other woven items, not tequila. The plant is stripped of the outer covering, dried, and processed into fine threads for weaving. We entered a rather s ... read more

South America » Peru » Callao

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Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1... ... read more