Santiago in the summer is sheer joy. It is spacious streets and five minutes in and out at the bank, and tables available at cafés and warm weather (sometimes too hot), and arts and theater.
So I’m a little bit sad to be leaving Santiaguino summer in a few days for New Zealand’s version, which I’ve been preparing for by standing in my clothes in the shower. I cheat, in that I use warm water, and really, this is just to see how resistant the old Gore-Tex is (does someone want to sponsor me with a truly waterproof garment? I would be ever so pleased and grateful).
As a sendoff today, I went to the supermarket for the last compras (purchases) before the trip, toting my blue avocado bag (I have the pod, in green, and it’s the perfect reusable bag with comfy straps) I got from my friend Stephanie’s (in the news today, whoo!) mother at Christmas, and loving it very much. I think it will make the trip over to NZ, so as not to run afoul of the rabid environmentalism I hope to run across there.
At the supermarket I was treated to this fruit, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, which they were calling “lemon plum.” I’ve eaten two already, and they have more lemon shape than taste, though they are a little sour (though not acidic).
Which got me to thinking of all the fruits and vegetables we like to call by other fruit and vegetable names.
Got that?
In Spanish there’s
guineo fresa (strawberry banana, this in Ecuador for one of the gazillion varieties of bananas they have there)
ciruela limón (lemon plum)
durazno platano (lit: banana peach, this one is a nectarine)
got any more?
In English I can only think of grape, cherry, pear and plum tomato.
Which then reminded me of the dreaded tomate de arbol or tree tomato, which they apparently have in New Zealand.
And so I add that to my goals.
1. Explore bearshapedsphere
2. Pedal furiously (but not angrily)
3. Snap many photos
4. Encounter rabid environmentalism
5. Avoid dreaded tree tomato
If you’re in Santiago and want to try the juice of this dread fruit (despite my warnings) check out the place I talk about here)
If you have anything else to list, please feel free. And also, the captcha? sorry, but it was necessary. I just can’t keep up with the Japanese spam and people starting every day with the words “good morning sunshines.”
Enjoy your day mightily and with vigor!
Good morning sunshines! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I'm super excited for you and your adventure to New Zealand! I've always wanted to explore that corner of the world, so I'd like to thank you in advance for allowing me to live vicariously through your words and photos. Have an excellent time!
Ha, right up my alley! For English food names anyway… here are some I've been seeing in garden catalogs lately (what else is there to do in Minnesota in February…):
strawberry spinach
rhubarb swiss chard
cranberry beans
pumpkin on a stick (actually an eggplant)
strawberry rhubarb
I'm sure I've come across many more in the past couple of weeks, but that's all I came up with off the top of my head. I still think rhubarb swiss chard is the least forgivable, what a cruel thing to trick someone into – that their swiss chard will taste like rhubarbs?! (It's named that way because its stalks are deep red like rhubarb.)
Hey, sunshines, have a great trip! Nothing is truly waterproof other than shower curtain but it probably isn't a good outfit for cycling. Take loads of photos and stay safe.
OMG. I'm so jealous that you are going to New Zealand! Please blog it up while you are there so that the rest of us can live vicariously through you:)
I'm so excited for you! Take lot of pix. As for the fruit, I just had baobob juice from my favorite Senegalese restaurant. I believe what comes from a baobob tree is a fruit, right?
How about spaghetti squash? (ok, spaghetti is neither fruit nor veg, but pretend the tomato sauce is already on it and then it will count… won't it?)
I too am very excited about our upcoming (though vicarious) trip to NZ! You pedal and we read!
Hey, I have those plum trees on our property, in need of serious pruning though.
Are you going to the North or South Island of NZ? One thing you need to do is really clean your bike and replace your tires. They are really finicky about bringing in some virus especially if you are from a country with a lot agriculture. NZ Customs did a really thorough check of my bike and my panniers before they let me through. Have fun.
Pera manzana (Pyrus pyrifolia: the asian pear)
Melón tuna (Honeydew melon)
Zapallo camote (I know… camote is not a fruit)
Huzzah! NZ is great and it does not rain there all the time. Watch out for tourist drivers gazing at scenery. Give Marmite a chance.
Doh! Sorry Eileen, missed the skip back in time from your link. Pls delete my comment. Now I have to delve back in your blog and read about NZ!
But I loved your comment. Hope you don’t mind I left it. Also, so happy to make contact after all this time. Next time in Seattle! Or are you coming here?
I would love to come there and I’m sad that I didn’t know you were around the last time I went through Santiago (early 06). However at this time a Seattle rendesvouz is more likely for me. Come visit! I know Pam would love to see you too.
Chile and NZ are on the very short list of “places I could live that aren’t here.” Actually that’s the list.
Seattle’s on my list, too, for places I could live that aren’t here, but life would have to be different for me to make that leap. I think I might have to get a real job. Shudder. I also wish you’d known I was here in ’06! Trip to Seattle in the future likely, just not sure exactly when! I have an inkling I might like to live in Melbourne as well, though if I move any further from my family, my mother will beat me with a (very long) stick.