Show cockeyed turkeys set dizzy pace before kill nowhere else on earth is the ritual of killing and preparing a turkey observed in such a strange manner as in ecuador south america As in north america the bird is penned and fattened several days in advance of its waterloo on the appointed day early in the morning the quichua or cholo servants approach the turkey pen with a bottle of aguardiente Agu ardiente it is a cheap but powerful brew of native rum one of the servants holds the turkey in a firm grasp while the other pours a little aguardiente Agu ardiente down its throat then the bottle is passed around among the household staff this process is repeated over and over again until the turkey is well stewed without having seen the stove next a long cord is fastened to the turkeys neck not too tight just a comfortable fit the elected servant then pulls the staggering bird out into the patio or courtyard and urges it into a lumbering trot at the end of its tether round and round the turkey goes in a dizzy circle it if it stops or hesitates the bystanders toss pebbles and the chap at the other end of the rope runs around towing the turkey at an increased speed until the unfortunate bird drunk and exhausted falls to the ground in a stupor |