My first impression of Punta Cheuca was what I imagined a third world country to be like. The streets were literally covered in trash. There were blankets thrown down on the filthy streets, barbie dolls covered in mud, etc. I couldn’t believe my eyes; it was a major culture shock. I began to wonder why would a small little town that is so united do this to their home? I then began to realize that Americans do it too. Not in a sense of littering everywhere (although of course some people do), but in a 
sense of other things such as water. I guarantee they value water far more than we do. I try to be as conservative as possible, but I am a culprit of taking 20 minute showers. I could also promise that they are conservative especially when it comes down to food and other natural resources. However, the Seri Indians have been around for 4,000 years. All of the trash that I saw has been brought in and influenced by western countries such as the United States. Before plastic was invented and brought into their culture, children would play with sea shells, rocks, sticks, and other organic materials. After they were done they would 
simply through it on the ground and play with something else.
Another quick observation I saw was very nice vehicles, mostly expensive SUV’s. Classmates jumped to the conclusion that they valued vehicles more so then their other belongings. I personally believe that their vehicles are an important and necessary item. From Punta Chueca to Kino Bay is about a 50 minute drive down a terribly bumpy road. They need long lasting vehicles to get around. Most of the vehicles did not have license plates, and from a good resource, they were all probably stolen. This brings up another important culture issue. The Seri’s were once nomadic
people. They would travel to a place use up all of the resources and move on. As they would travel they would take whatever they needed, I am referring to organic items. And now they just take what they need and move on.
I felt unwanted at the village. I was pressured quite often to purchase crafts that they hand make without tools. They are quite beautiful as well. They were also selling weaved baskets, necklaces made out of shells gathered by beach combers. I am extremely low on cash and I was refusing every offer. I felt bad as if I were intruding and not showing my respect by supporting their economy. I did purchase one thing which costs me my every last peso I had (150 pesos). So I am not criticized on behalf of my purchase I must briefly explain the relationship between sea turtles and the Seri’s.
All the seven and 1 sub-species of sea turtles are endangered world wide. They were most commonly hunted for their meat and their shells. Hunters also poach their eggs to sell overseas used as an aphrodisiac. The Seri’s provide informative knowledge in sea turtle conservation. The Seri’s have a very sacred relationship with the sea turtles that inhabit the Sea of Cortez. It has even been said that they sing to the turtle to bring them in (Winona LaDuke, 2003). Once upon a time they held annual ceremonies for the sea turtles, but went years without seeing a single one. Today, they are allowed to kill a sea turtle for ceremonial purposes. There are a lot of critics that believe they should not be allowed to do so, ironically these people are from western countries, primarily the United States, that have little to no relationship or knowledge about Seri traditions. I personally respect and admire the magical ceremonies that they hold and do not criticize them for doing so. So, moving on to what I purchased. After refusing many beautiful gifts from mostly Seri women, I met Alfredo who is a respected elder in the community. He made a ring from a scute (segments of the turtle shell) of a Hawksbill. I picked it up from the table and immediately felt a beautiful connection. When I placed the ring on my finger I felt a surge of energy. My entire mood shifted into a calming phase and released the fear that existed in me from the initial culture shock. It was a really beautiful moment that I am extremely privileged to have experienced.
sense of other things such as water. I guarantee they value water far more than we do. I try to be as conservative as possible, but I am a culprit of taking 20 minute showers. I could also promise that they are conservative especially when it comes down to food and other natural resources. However, the Seri Indians have been around for 4,000 years. All of the trash that I saw has been brought in and influenced by western countries such as the United States. Before plastic was invented and brought into their culture, children would play with sea shells, rocks, sticks, and other organic materials. After they were done they would 
simply through it on the ground and play with something else.Another quick observation I saw was very nice vehicles, mostly expensive SUV’s. Classmates jumped to the conclusion that they valued vehicles more so then their other belongings. I personally believe that their vehicles are an important and necessary item. From Punta Chueca to Kino Bay is about a 50 minute drive down a terribly bumpy road. They need long lasting vehicles to get around. Most of the vehicles did not have license plates, and from a good resource, they were all probably stolen. This brings up another important culture issue. The Seri’s were once nomadic
people. They would travel to a place use up all of the resources and move on. As they would travel they would take whatever they needed, I am referring to organic items. And now they just take what they need and move on.I felt unwanted at the village. I was pressured quite often to purchase crafts that they hand make without tools. They are quite beautiful as well. They were also selling weaved baskets, necklaces made out of shells gathered by beach combers. I am extremely low on cash and I was refusing every offer. I felt bad as if I were intruding and not showing my respect by supporting their economy. I did purchase one thing which costs me my every last peso I had (150 pesos). So I am not criticized on behalf of my purchase I must briefly explain the relationship between sea turtles and the Seri’s.
All the seven and 1 sub-species of sea turtles are endangered world wide. They were most commonly hunted for their meat and their shells. Hunters also poach their eggs to sell overseas used as an aphrodisiac. The Seri’s provide informative knowledge in sea turtle conservation. The Seri’s have a very sacred relationship with the sea turtles that inhabit the Sea of Cortez. It has even been said that they sing to the turtle to bring them in (Winona LaDuke, 2003). Once upon a time they held annual ceremonies for the sea turtles, but went years without seeing a single one. Today, they are allowed to kill a sea turtle for ceremonial purposes. There are a lot of critics that believe they should not be allowed to do so, ironically these people are from western countries, primarily the United States, that have little to no relationship or knowledge about Seri traditions. I personally respect and admire the magical ceremonies that they hold and do not criticize them for doing so. So, moving on to what I purchased. After refusing many beautiful gifts from mostly Seri women, I met Alfredo who is a respected elder in the community. He made a ring from a scute (segments of the turtle shell) of a Hawksbill. I picked it up from the table and immediately felt a beautiful connection. When I placed the ring on my finger I felt a surge of energy. My entire mood shifted into a calming phase and released the fear that existed in me from the initial culture shock. It was a really beautiful moment that I am extremely privileged to have experienced.
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