Oh, Mango!

Last summer with Aria and our wonderful friend (and mangoes).

Right after I was basking in the bliss of life here, I indulged in a mango that had been just-picked by one of our dearest friends, Ahmed*. His family has an orchard on a nearby island and the mangoes were ripe for the pickin’. 

Amazing mangoes

Last summer, Ahmed brought these same mangoes to us so John and I promptly indulged ourselves with multiple helpings. That is until the next day when I swelled up and couldn’t see out of my left eye. After some research, I discovered that mangoes have the same oil on their skin as poison ivy. BEFORE I knew that, I had cut the mangoes, wiped my brow from sweat, handled the mangoes some more and KAPOW! That was 10 days of Rocky Balboa-esque appearance that I didn’t care to repeat. 

Mangoes for sale everywhere.

This time, John handled the mangoes (no affect on him…not sure why) and I ate them. However, one day he was busy, I was hungry so I approached the mango extraction like a neurosurgeon. I had knives, towels, cutting boards…everything necessary to keep all mango oil away from me. I scrubbed my face and hands afterward and then ate the mango. 24 hours later…no effect. Sweeeeeeet!
The next day I did the same. It was on the third day that I realized I had been delusional. I could not beat the mangoes, but rather it looked as though the mangoes had beaten me. I was completely swollen shut, red and itching. So attractive.

I looked at John and all he could say was, “You poor thing.” That was his mantra as he tried to find any form of relief for me over the last 5 days. 

This was early in the reaction,
but I'm too vain to post more.

I have to accept that mangoes are not my friend. At least this variety. Sadness. There really isn’t anything better than a perfectly ripened mango from Africa. 

Today I am up and about again ready to face the public. The swelling has receded and my facial features have shifted back into place.

It’s Ramadan so we want to be out in the village visiting our friends in the evening…my appearance last week would not have brought the feeling of good tidings to them. So now I’ll bake over the next couple days and spend time with our neighbors as they continue into the second week of a 30-day fast. However, mangoes will not be on the menu. 

___________________

*Not his real name.

Feeling much better now!

I'm Glad to Be Here

Lights and Lanterns are used for
decoration during Ramadan.

It’s been a while since I’ve written and there’s good reason. Long ago, when I began blogging I made an internal rule that I would not, WOULD NOT post things when taking medication. I broke that rule a couple times which turned out not to be a good choice. So I stuck to it this time and now I am breaking my silence. I know you’re on pins and needles.

Our formal wear...

Speaking of needles, I recently was in the hospital for surgery. What kind of surgery you ask? Sorry. I just can’t type about my internal organs publicly. I’m happy to dialogue privately if you’re interested. (I even have printouts!)

Now I am in the convalescing stage and am doing quite well. So well that I don’t need any further narcotics and thus today’s post. 

It’s Day 7 of Ramadan in the Muslim world and we are reminded once again what a difficult requirement this is of those who follow Islam. No water, food or any other vice from sunup to sundown. Here that has been around 14 hours of sunlight and the temps have been consistently over 100 every day. It’s brutal, but the dear people in our village are sincere, devout. 

This is a small meal!

As we were greeting our neighbors this evening, they welcomed us warmly and continued on to the mosque where they recite portions of the Qu’ran every night of Ramadan. Allah weighs good and bad deeds and the things done in devotion to Islam during Ramadan bear more weight. 

I baked cupcakes today and will distribute them tomorrow to our friends along with a prayer of blessing. They really, really like the Hershey’s Perfect Chocolate Cake recipe. So I make it every time. 

After mosque, many will return home with family and watch the special TV programs that are aired during this season. A-List movies from America, series such as “24”, “The Unit” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” are all quite popular. They also enjoy soap operas that are produced in-country just for Ramadan.

The work schedules for many people are adjusted. Everyone will eat one last meal at 2:30 am and then sleep until around 11 am. Many will then go to work and stay until 6 pm. Then they return home to be ready to eat at sunset which is signified by the blasting of a cannon and calls from all the mosques.

Sunset is signified by the sound of a cannon
and from loudspeakers at mosques.

It’s a time of abundance as families will spend far more than they usually do to create lavish meals each evening. It’s a bucketload of work, too! Imagine having 20 extremely hungry people at your table every night. Yikes! Waltons times 2 and they didn’t have to try to make those rolled up grape leaves thingies.

We are grateful to be here. Yes, I actually said that. It’s difficult trying to plan our day when so many things are closed or when shopping for certain items means going at 10 pm. All of society’s schedule changes for an entire month! And the use of firecrackers at all hours of the night is encouraged. But it’s good to be with our friends, to speak to them of grace, peace and Jesus. How else would different ideas be introduced except through spending time together, building trust and sharing life?

The cloth is called "Ramadan Cloth"
used to decorate during this season.

So thanks for checking in with me. I’m glad to be lucid again. I’m glad to be in your life. I’m glad to be here.
_____________________

PS I’m currently doing a series of photos and Ramadan facts on Instagram (paminthesand), Twitter (@paminthesand) and FB in case you’d like to learn a few more details about it. Look me up! Let’s be social media pals!