Food
Food is a symbol of carnal desires. Olivia and her husband use the Mexican cuisine to revitalize their senses and in doing so their relationship. Their relationship has become stale and ordinary and they are looking for a way to bring back the sensual nature between them. Enjoying the spices and feel of the Mexican cuisine and learning about the ancient culture of possible cannibalism gives the couple a feel for carnal desires and that brings excitement to their relationship. Eating is seen as a sensual activity that heightens the wariness of the couple. The spices bring a flavor to the meals that make them appreciate the different aspects of each food and how they are a reflection of themselves.
Taste
Taste is a symbol of excitement. Olivia is elated by her eating experiences. Each meal is a new sensation that she greets with pleasure. Her husband watches her in awe as she becomes excited by the taste of the Mexican cuisine. Their culinary experience brings them closer together as they are able to share these wonderful sensations of taste. He is able to understand his wife more by watching her enjoy the taste of the food in a sensual way that they had not experienced before their trip to Mexico.
Sacrificial Victims
Sacrificial Victims are a symbol of cannibalism. Olivia sees the sacrificial victims as a desirable meal and questions whether the ancient priests feasted on their remains. It is a primal instinct to eat and Olivia sees this as a ritual. A ritual that she believes the ancient priests would condone. The meal would be ceremonial and give the feast participants that feeling of being gods. The thought of such a meal makes Olivia giddy with desire and the power of such a meal.
Ancient Temple
The Ancient Temple is a symbol of the past. The Ancient Temple shows how the Mexican culture has evolved though the centuries. The guide is not comfortable with talking about the possible cannibalism of the ancient priests. To modern society, this is taboo and he does not want to give the idea that his ancestors were uncivilized. Olivia is fascinated by this past and sees it has something to celebrate not to hide. The past gives us an understanding of a culture and to learn from the past you must embrace all aspects of it.
Spices
Spices are a symbol of renewal. With the use of spices food comes alive and something that may not have been palatable before is not fit to eat. It brings the person who eats the seasoned foods a sense of pleasure that they would not have experienced without the spices. Mexican food relies on these spices to liven up bland cuisine. The right spices can make anything palatable even human flesh. It gives new life to dead flesh and allows for others to enjoy it.
