Interesting Food

The palm tree from which the Pejibaye grow

Madison getting ready to enjoy her pejibaye



We have found this "fruit" called Pejibaye. Wikipedias information about this fruit: Bactris gasipaes is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of the South and Central America. It is a palm which can typically grow to 20 m or taller (see picture above). The fruit is a drupe with an edible pulp surrounding the single seed, 4-6 cm long and 3-5 cm broad. The rind (epicarp) of this wild palm can be red, yellow, or orange when the fruit is ripe depending on the variety of the palm.

Madison and I really enjoy eating this. You usually find it in the grocery store in a vat of warm water where it has been simmering all day. We take it home, peel it, add a little salt and pepper and enjoy! An interesting fruit, but one we really enjoy!

Tutoring

Tutoring starts this week, and one thing I've decided to do is improve my reading skills. Often times I understand the literal translation of something written, but not the significance. Make sense? So, to help this, I've purchased a Spanish primer, and two books by Roald Dahl (think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach). I can read and then discuss them with my tutor making sure I understand the significance. I really look forward to this type of learning. Also, we will review the things I've learned over the last 8 months and fix the mess in my head :-).

Madison started back to school today, with all new teachers. Her teacher left to do other ministry work, and she will be having temporary teachers until the end of school. She has 5 1/2 weeks left. The week after she finishes school we will be headed to Honduras. So - the short timers calendar has begun!

Bummer way to end the vacation

Well...we made it back safely to San Jose, managed to get everyone to their rooms, and headed out to dinner. By the time we left it was clear that my purse managed to find its way into a robbers hand in the short time we were at dinner, and in the SHORT time it took us to get back to our apartment to call Golden 1, we already had a phone message from Visa fraud asking us to call them. All in all over $1284.00 had been charged to my account! So, between the $300.00 stolen from my wallet earlier in the week, and over $1284.00 charged to my account, it was a VERY expensive week! Along with my money, my new IPOD that my sister-in-law brought to me was in my purse, my medication, two pairs of sunglasses, and my ID. It was only by God's grace that I had JUST taken out all of our passports, or those would have been gone too. Makes me very sad/angry/upset. Not the way I wanted to end our vacation.

Mike's family leaves tomorrow. We want to take them to the local shopping area to look for last minute souveniers. It has been so much fun to have them here in Costa Rica!

Family Vacation, Part V

We have spent the past two days in the ocean. We have taken five SCUBA dives in the past two days. Last night was especially fun. We took Mike’s parents out on the boat for a night dive. They stayed on board while we spent 50 minutes explore the night sea with flashlights. It was fun to share this experience with them.

The night dive was incredible. Sea life is very different at night. When we got up all Maddy could say was, “That was cool, that was cool, that was cool.”



I have had plenty of opportunity to practice medicine on this trip. I have made eight or so trips to the pharmacy and practiced my medical Spanish. I gave injections, administered oral medication, addressed a minor concussion, helped with a couple of colds and much more. It has been great practice to work all this out in Spanish.

Family Vacation, Part IV

Yesterday was another fun day of SCUBA organized by Mike’s brother-in-law…who was too sick to come. The boat Captain let Maddy pilot the boat the entire day…what fun. We played with a sea turtle and Mike got within five feet of a shark again. He says he is going in for the touch next time.


Today we spent the entire day in Nicaragua. This was Mike’s final country to visit in Central America. He has now visited all seven. The seven of us visited a couple of nice towns, shopped and had a couple of meals. Lake Nicaragua and all the active volcanoes were something to see.

While we were on a boat in Lake Nicaragua a white faced monkey jumped aboard looking for some handouts. We gave her some flowers, which she promptly ate. Madison petted her and fed her. Pretty cool.

Family Vacation, Part III

Mike’s mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law are continuing their visit with us here in Costa Rica. We are now in the city of Panama (not the country of Panama) on the north west coast of Costa Rica.

Mike’s sister treated us to a morning of SCUBA diving today. We took two dives in the beautiful and warm Pacific waters. We got within 5 feet of a shark and saw some great sea life.

Unfortunately, while we are enjoying the company of our family reality does still strike. While out at dinner last night (Saturday) somebody broke into our room and stole all our cash. We have learned that you never carry lots of cash, but, on vacation we needed to have money incase there were no ATMs. The thief got away with over $300. This will greatly limit our recreation for the rest of the week. In Addition, I (Erin) am feeling quiet violated by our first crime in Costa Rica.

God is good and He will take care of us.

Family Vacation, Part II

Mike mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law are continuing their visit with us here in Costa Rica.  We have been up in the north at Volcano Arenal for several days.  It is amazingly beautiful.  We have relaxed, enjoyed each other and eaten some great food.

Here is a shot of the volcano:

We have spent some time having lots of fun.  Unfortunately, our zest for adventure hasn't been slowed by age.  Mike, who is 39, was trying to keep up with the kids.  And, well, let's just say he didn't.  Take a look at this bump on his head.  It was much worse then it looks.  I think it came complete with a mild concussion.  He is much better today.

Tomorrow we pack up and head further north to the beach.  We'll keep you informed...assuming we have internet.