So what, many fervent and loyal blog readers might think.
What is so important that Leif Erikson arrived in North America?
Well, it happened today but 1005 years ago.
Leif Erikson was a Norwegian explorer known to be the first European to have landed in North America.
In Newfoundland, Canada to be precise.
With him, it all started…
Every day a long beach walk is made after the siesta.
One day to the north, the next day to the south.
For about an hour and a half.
Often interesting things are found on the beach.
Like yesterday.
Washed ashore were 5 giant squids.
Never seen before at El Triple.
These giant squids are remarkable animals.
For example, they have not one heart but three.
And their only predator is the sperm whale.
They are not using fins to swim but use a system of jetting water to propel themselves.
Now, why were there 5 giant squids on the beach?
Was it a phenomenon as is happening sometimes with whales and dolphins that they loose their sense of orientation and find a dramatic end on the beach?
More likely the giant squids on the beach of El Triple had ended up in the nets of the local Mexican fishermen.
There are days the fishermen come from their camp at Punta Marquez and put long nets right in front of El Triple.
Giant squids are not good to eat.
This is because giant squids and some other large squid species maintain neutral buoyancy in seawater thanks to the ammonium chloride solution that flows throughout their body and that is lighter than seawater.
This differs from the method of flotation used by fish, which involves a gas-filled swim bladder.
The ammonium chloride solution tastes somewhat like salmiakki and makes giant squid unattractive for general human consumption.
So, the Mexican fishermen simply let go of the giant squid.
The animal has no food value.
Too bad giant squid die when trapped in a net.
And when dead close to the coast they eventually, like Leif Erikson, wash ashore.
Where scavenger birds don’t mind the salmiakki.
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