Trivia & Tidbits Thursday - What IS a Patty Pan?

Last week I posted a Facebook status that I hoped our patty pans and marrows would grow. I had a few questions as to "what" those are. So, I thought I'd post some pics! While I'm at it, I'll tell you about an unusual fruit that we tried today! Keep reading.

First, the patty pans and marrows! Basically, they're squash. The taste is like that of squash in the US. However, you won't find any 'crook neck' or 'straight neck' squash here. This is as close as you'll get. The patty pans look like tiny space ships. :-) Marrows are basically small (baby) zucchini.

Mmmmm. Mmmmmm. I do like my patty pans and marrows. I usually just boil it - but it's also good steamed or roasted...or in a casserole....or stir-fried....

Now for the interesting new fruit we tried today.......................

It is called litchi. (Can also be spelled lychee.)

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

• 1 : the oval fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family having a hard scaly reddish outer covering and sweet whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed —called also lychee nut

A litchi up close....can you detect the 'bumps' on the skin? Interesting.

Here's a pic of a peeled litchi. Very easy to peel.

The fruit, with a pic of the seed/pit (from another litchi). There really isn't much fruit there to eat, once you take out the seed/pit.

What did we think of this fruit?

• I'm glad we tried it.
  
• I've seen them in the store and was curious about the taste.
  
• I'm glad I didn't buy a large amount. (The remaining 10 or so litchis will be given to our housekeeper tomorrow. :-)
• I don't think I'll be buying these again.

Just curious.....is there something YOU would like to know about life in Gaborone?

See you here again next Thursday.

Trivia & Tidbits Thursday - Dates, Times, Phone Numbers....

Another interesting tidbit regarding life in Gaborone, Botswana, is how dates and times are written. As in the examples above - the date is written in the format of Day/Month/Year. This is interesting when it comes to reading (translating) expiration dates on food items. For example, the date on my milk carton indicates 02/06/10. In the US, we read that as Feb. 6, 2010 ---- which would mean OOOPS! my milk has expired. But, since we're in Gaborone, breathe a sigh of relief...the expiration is actually June 2, 2010. Takes a little getting used to. This applies to any time you record the date - checks, documents, receipts.....you get the idea.

As for time - anyone with a military background has no problem! Times are typically recorded in 24-hour format. (Note: The time above of 15:00 is 3:00 pm.) I have gotten used to reading this time format. The clock on our microwave displays the current time in 24-hour time. Our eldest child prefers the format be in 24-hour time!

Now when people talk about the time you will hear time on the half-hour stated as 'half-past'. For example, I say "11:30", but here that would be stated as "half-past 11". Same goes for 15-past the hour - which would be "quarter-past".

Lastly, the topic of how phone numbers are written. In the US, we have an area code and a 7-digit phone number, whether for a "land" line or cell phone. Here, "land" lines are 7-digits. We have no area code. Cell numbers are 8-digits. Typically, the numbers are written all jumbled together without a dash, space, or separator of any kind.


This sign is funny to me. Can you guess why? Notice the words "To Let". See how the phone number is written all crammed together.

Here's something interesting...and strange.....
Notice the left-side of the picture - the tall pile of dirt behind the metal boxes. That is a termite mound. Really. It's been there as long as I've been in Gabs - over a year now. I guess it's probably about 6 feet tall. Quite incredible! Termite mounds like this one can be seen all around Gabs. I've never gotten close to one. Don't know if it is an 'active' termite mound. Just imagine how long it took those little bugs to pile up the dirt that high. Talk about diligence and perseverance!

Trivia & Tidbits Thursday - Plots

Plots. What a subject. Plot of a movie or book? No. Burial plot? No!

The subject for this week's post deals with address plots!

In Gaborone, each residence and business has a unique plot number. People don't generally use street names when giving their address:
1. Because not all streets have a street name sign!
2. Even the locals don't know the side street names (residences)!



When giving directions to someone, this is done by indicating "take the 3rd left after you pass the Choppies store"....

Thankfully, most homes/business have their plot number clearly posted. Some residences have nice number plates or brass numbers on their gates. Others have the plot number neatly - or not-so-neatly painted on the gate. We have a number plate on our gate...white with black numbers. I'd post a pic - but don't want to broadcast to all the world where I live! I could have taken pics of examples from other houses, but I didn't. Maybe I'll add to this post later. :-)

When I first arrived here a year ago - I didn't go ANYWHERE without my handy-dandy map/plot book. The back of the book has an index with all the plot numbers, which also gives the corresponding map number and grid. Turn to that page - get our your magnifying glass, and you're in business.

Unique plot numbers is a great idea! The other crazy thing I've discovered...the numbering system! You may be Plot 1234, with 1233 and 1235 as your neighbors.... But across the street from you are 19876, 19877 and 19875. Strange1 (To me anyway.)

T-I-A!!! And we're having a blast.

The Banana Tree - My How It's Grown!

OK - this may be kind of boring for some - but to me, it is fascinating! I've never had a banana tree in my yard before ---- about 5 or 6, for that matter. The only time I'd ever seen bananas is in the grocery store in those small little bunches, or on the hat of the Chiquita banana lady (remember her?.....do you remember the song?....I remember the tune.).

Anyway - just wanted to share a few pics of one of God's amazing creations. This is beautiful to look at, and provides food for so many of our friends here. A blessing to us.

The tree - taken January 2009

One year later - January 2010

This is the 'pod', my name for the new growth.
Isn't this amazing?

The red petals open up, drop off, and reveal tiny baby bananas, ready to grow!