The Chinese teachers in my English department at school are so sweet and generous. At least three times a week, someone is offering me some kind of food. We all walk around to each other’s cubicle with whatever we have so everyone can share. Sometimes it’s chocolate but most of the time it is dried or fresh fruit. Pomelo is very popular and is one of my favorites.
Come on, everyone!
Last week Emma had a plastic bag of something yellow and syrupy-looking. I hesitated before reaching in for a piece, asking “what is it?” Everyone there knows I’ll try anything once so my question was irrelevant. We all know I’m going to eat it anyway. I was just curious what the squishy yellow mass between my thumb and forefinger really was. It had a familiar smell but I couldn’t put my finger on it, even though it was on my finger.
Emma said it was “the honey fruit.” I eyeballed it, sniffed it, and told her it reminded me of durian. Everyone laughed and said it was similar to durian but it wasn’t durian. Well, it was close enough for me to conclude that my durian trials are complete. I’ve had it dried and mixed into ice cream. I’ve had it fresh and cooked on pizza. And now I’ve had it fresh from the rind/shell/whatever hell-skin it comes out of and this is not a fruit I want to devote any more time or tastebud to.
The texture was odd, like a cross between a gummy candy and an expired Popsicle that has been forgotten at the back of the freezer. The taste was the same sweet-then-kind-of-oniony oddness that I expect from the durian. I chewed my piece quickly, swallowing as fast as I could to end the experience. And thus, ending my blogging about this ambiguous fruit.
I love reading these. I TRY to read them in your voice and wish the stories were being related at our lunch table. I miss just chit=chatting daily life with you!
I’m so happy you’re living this amazing experience, and can’t wait to read more!
I also REALLY hope you guys make it back to Maine someday!!!!
Keep em coming, Little Buddy!
Thank you for reading! I’ll send you more voice messages in WeChat so you can actually hear my melodious voice. HA!
Hello Dear ….
…Family I’ve as yet to meet! What a wonderful thing , that I drowned my iPhone and you called thinking it was still in the hands of a friend. I TRULY WISHED I’D not been too tired to venture to Belfast to me you both that October or November afternoon.
I love your blog (blogs) and treasure every bit I’ve had the time to pour over. Sending warm wishes and prayers for the joy and safety of you & yours!
Your Friend Back in the USA< Jan!
Jan you are so sweet. Isn’t that right…fate/the universe/whatever you want to call it crossed our paths! Thank you very much for the warm wishes and prayers. We appreciate them! It’s a comfort to have you in our lives in whatever capacity it is at the moment.