mangos in a smoothie.....one of my favourite things!

due to lack of inspiration, i am going to describe to you my new favourite treat.

Mangos are in season, and i have to say that this season may be my favourite. not spring, not summer, fall or winter, but mango. we can drive down nearly any given street, and along the road there will be various women selling a variety of goods. but the ones i love the most are piled in neat little pyramids of three or four, in all their golden glory. in my experience, i have learned that if you want one to eat right away, get a mango that is mostly yellow and a little bit (or a lot) soft to the touch.  these you can squish in your hands some more, and move the pit around inside before biting off the top and sucking out the juices. it's messy, but oh so yummy! if you want one to keep for a few days, get one that is more green and is still firm. and if you want one with which to make a mango smoothie, well, there are pros and cons to use of either. if you use a soft one, juices will squish between your fingers and run down your wrists as you cut the flesh from the pit. however, that mango bursts with flavour! if you use a firmer one, they aren't quite so messy, but maybe not quite so sweet. (now, remember, this is from my limited experience, so it could very well not be accurate!). in the last few weeks i've had multiple mango smoothies, and each one has been a delight to indulge in. the perfect mixture of mango, ice, milk, maybe a little sugar, and sometimes some pineapple or banana all blended together to make a wonderful, refreshing, healthy drink.

as i write, susie's and my latest concoction sits beside me in all its orange, smooth, thick, cold, mango-y glory, backlit by the soft glow of a lamp. from time to time i take a sip and revel in the simple pleasure of a mango smoothie. it just goes to show that the best things in life are not necessarily free, and neither are they ridiculously expensive. they are just a pile of three mostly golden, rather mushy pieces of fruit that cost 25 gourds (approx. 60 cents).

i love being in Haiti. mostly because this is the place that God called me, and it's where my heart is at home. even after a hard day, i know that for now, this is where God wants me; and that makes it worth it all. mangos are just a side-benefit. the perks of the job, if you will.