Fruit Outside My Window

Dear family and friends,

Well my older brother Michael made fun of my attempt to make lemonade out of lemons...claims I am perhaps a bit pampered. He asked if the fruit fell into my hand if I just reached out the window...I'm afraid I would break the other arm if I tried such a thing. I imagine these bananas weigh quite a bit....

I had talked about the durian fruit in Malaysia, so Elia was quite excited when he saw this fruit and arranged to have some of it picked and delivered to me. It was very good, but it is not durian.

This is jackfruit. They are the size of my head and another potential arm breaker should I try to catch it with one hand. They do have some similarity to durian in appearance, but have a pleasant fruity aroma unlike the odiferous (SP) durian. [Jackfruit is the largest tree-born fruit and can weigh up to 80 pounds or 36 kilos.]

The apartment I am in now is temporary until a smaller studio becomes available in a few weeks. I haven't seen the studio...I hope I am not disappointed after my 'deluxe' one bedroom. I imagine the studio is minuscule since my current place is quite 'cozy'. They are letting me have this place at the price of the studio until the studio is available.

I'm still adjusting to my new living situation and having the use of only one arm. I have a kitchen and a set of knives but can't cut anything! Africa is "do it yourself" and has little in the line of prepared or quick food. I made a shopping list without really thinking how I would cut the cabbage, potatoes, kale, carrots, etc. I may have to make a deal with Rebecca the woman who does the daily cleaning service.

Luckily I had a jar of peanut butter that I'd been carrying as 'emergency' food. It was the only one I had been able to find that was natural and happily supports the women's cooperative that produces it. That and a small can of sardines for an exorbitant price were about the only items I had found for emergency supplies as I was traveling.. Not much around that doesn't need cooking or is ready to eat. Snacks exist only due to the Eastern Indian population. They have 'home industries' that produce traditional chaats like roasted garbanzo beans, nuts, and crunchy things made from lentil flour. So still figuring out how I'll eat well until I have two arms again.

Yesterday was my first outing since returning to Arusha. I had been invited to an Easter service, but had a bad night and slept late. In fact, I ended up sleeping most the day and after a short walk around the immediate grounds and the small fruit grove and then making dinner-- went to bed at 8:30!

Today I hope to walk out of the compound and see what's around me...and hopefully find a nearby store. Maybe I'll also take a peek at where my studio will be...and if has a garden and fruit too!

Whatever I find will be my world for awhile. I can't take a daladala or a pikipiki for quite some time. Even a taxi ride is painful-- I feel every bump and African roads have many!

Sorry I'm behind in responding to emails. Everything takes much longer than you can imagine and today I need to take care of insurance business. They are not thrilled that I have returned to Tanzania...seems they would have preferred spending thousands of dollars for two seats (to provide extra space for my arm) on a plane to the US!!!!!

Thanks for all the supportive emails!

Jay
Arusha, Tanzania

A Tour of My Garden Apartment: kitchen, bathroom, sunroom and bedroom