Pickle Weasel Goes to Mexico and Discovers Raicilla

Handsome? Yes, of course...but is he good?

For the first time in our married lives (13 yrs), my wife and I left the country together.
As you can see from the reddish hue of my forehead, we went somewhere tropical. It was heaven, it was paradise, it was the small third-world village of Yelapa.
"So, why," you ask, "does this qualify for remark on the Blog of Stupid?"
Well, my stupid friend, I was just getting ready to tell you and then you rudely interrupted.
Have you ever heard of Raicilla? No? Well, permit a small copy/paste to enlighten you and then we'll proceed...

Raicilla, pronounced "rye-see-ya", is the local moon shine. It is distilled in crude, primitive stills from a fermented mash made from the roots ( raicilla means "little root" ) of the maguey plant. It is a strong violent liquor of greatly varying quality, and usually more than 100 proof. Since it is produced without government license, and sold without government tax, it is illegal in the same sense that moonshine is illegal in the United States. Its production is one of the traditional local arts, and it is found only in this area.

Since it is higher in alcoholic content than most commercially available liquors even a small amount can produce a sudden, strong, and unpredictable drunkeness. There are many reports of violent gastric reactions, and temporary motor paralysis. It has a strong, and persistent reputation for producing an aphrodisiac effect in women, but causing temporary impotency in men. This can lead to a social situation of confused, and conflicting desires. It gives a rough hangover.

Since raicilla is cheap, strong, and readily available, it is most widely and frequently used drinks among the local borrachos (drunks). The raicilla-borracho can still sit and talk ( lucidly, he thinks ) long after he has lost the ability to walk. He does not know this until after he stands up.

For those who drink alcohol at all, a taste of raicilla is an almost essential part of the full local experience. When you drink it for the first time, you should be in secure surroundings among people you know and trust and use cautious moderation.

So, I ask you, my friend, what sort of venturing man would I be to refuse a sample of local culture? And I answer, "Not a man at all, but perhaps a mouse."
I am a man and I did sample the local stuff. I believe Raicilla should be translated "stupid juice". Verily it will make a man believe that he is a god. It will make him believe that he SHOULD maim the local priest and make vigorous love to an iguana. I share this with you in hopes that you will take heed. Mexican jails are less fun than you would imagine.
Respectfully,

Jacob "Pickle Weasel" Nordby