Roasted guinea pig, humitas… Ecuadorians send to migrants in the US

A few days before Christmas , the couriers of Cuenca and Azogues , in the south of Ecuador, register high customer demand. They seek to send the traditional roast guinea pig, humitas, among other foods to their loved ones who live in the United States.

These days, Cuenca couriers record long lines of people hoping to send food to their loved ones who live in the United States.

Thousands of migrants have left these two cities in the last 30 years, in search of job opportunities. Their relatives in Ecuador send them some details on this special date, as part of that affective bond.  

Outside the shipping agencies, located in the Historic Center of Cuenca, every day -for two weeks- there are long lines of people waiting with baskets, bags or cartons and trays 

Among them are roasted guinea pigs, nicknames, Easter breads, tortillas, humitas, tamales, liquor, milk delicacy, sweets, cheese, sandwiches, quimbolitos, among other typical foods of Azuaya and Cañarense gastronomy.  

In the same courier s they review the products and do the packaging. This is to prevent prohibited substances from being camouflaged in food. Shipments are two-way. From the United States, migrants send toys, clothes and money.  

“It is a way to maintain that affective bond in our families and that they -at a distance- live these holidays as if they were in the country.” This is how Rosa Durazno, a native of the Cuenca parish of Tarqui, explains it.   

This Saturday, December 10, she was lining up at one of the United Corporations agencies to send 10 guinea pigs and 40 humitas for her two children who live in New York. “All year my children help me financially and this is just my show of affection for them.” 

Durazno’s children have told her that most typical foods are sold in the United States, but that they do not have the same flavor and love that a mother, grandmother, sister or a very close relative prepares them.  

It is customary that in the United States, on December 24, families gather for dinner and share the food that has arrived. It is also a way of keeping Ecuadorian tradition alive.  

According to a worker at this courier, shipments increased significantly in December, compared to the rest of the months. With the exception of Carnival and Mother’s Day, which have a 40% increase in the demand for parcels. 

Each courier handles an average volume of parcels established by the airlines. But at this time every day they leave with the maximum capacity and that is why they are not enough to meet the demand of the clients.   

Agencies only collect the amount of perishable food that they can ship that day, to prevent spoilage. The rest of the clients have to return to the next one and get up early to reach the shipment.