One way can be learned by starting to see the magic in everything. Sometimes it seems to be hiding but it is always there. The more we can see the magic in one thing, a tiny flower, a mango, someone we love, then the more we are able to see the magic in everything and in everyone. Where does the mango stop and the sky begin? ~ Joshua Kadison
I have never seen this many mangoes in ten years. We have five mature mango trees. Three trees are Mango Indio and two trees are Mango Rosa. Eating the first ripe Rosa mango is a taste explosion. Ron’s beard is stained a permanent yellow and my clothes are sticky and stained with mango juice.
Ode to the Mango
Our Mango Indio started producing in January. Now, the closest trees to our house are the Mango Rosas and they are prolific. When the wind blows, they bomb our tin roof. No matter how many times I hear the thud of a big mango bouncing off the roof and rolling to the ground, it still makes me jump.
We’ve made everything we can think of with our mangoes this year…and look! They are still falling to the tune of three wheelbarrows a day. The deep hole we made, is almost filled with mangoes. The aroma of rotting mangoes permeates every pore in my body.
The cows and wandering horses gorge themselves on the mangoes. Our freezer is full. My only regret is that we can’t even give them away because everyone has mangoes growing out of their ears this season.
We’re traveling to the states tomorrow. I’m taking my homemade travel vest and waddling through the airports upon my return with children’s books in Spanish for my elementary school library. I wish I could fill my travel vest with mangoes for my friends and family. It’s a shame to leave a carpet of mangoes to rot on the ground.
When we return, mango season will be over and a pleasant reminder to see the magic in everything…even rotting mangoes. Soon, we’ll be able to see the sky again beyond our mango heaven.
I’ll be offline while I’m in travel mode. But, don’t worry, I’ll be back soon with many more magical tales of our lives in Nicaragua. 🙂
Love those mangos! Same travels! Anita
We’re in the states now, and I really miss my mangoes. lol
We ate our first tree ripened mango today,a small Filipino variety. We don’t have many this year. Two trees are hardly producing and the other two will still be awhile. We’re still eating mangoes from the freezer. I have never seen such a big tree, Debbie. You are definitely in mango heaven. My Ron keeps a mango beard, too, during season.:) Have a good and safe trip.
Your Ron and my Ron sound a lot alike. 🙂 Lynne, our house sitter told us a huge branch from the mango tree closest to our house almost fell on our house during a strong wind. It was so heavy with mangoes that it couldn’t withstand the wind.
You have mango. but can you tango? Te deseo un viaje feliz!
Ya, ya…I can tango with a mango. 🙂
That’s the trouble with fruit – it all comes ripe at once. Enjoy your trip.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
Sunni, you are so right. Our fruit trees are always dropping some kind of fruit.
Thanks for sharing your mango “spirit” with us. When I was in India, mangoes and the yellow stains on my clothes were synonymous to summer vacation at my grandma’s place. She had a big mango tree in her courtyard and my sister and I, for all the time that we spent at her place would collect mangoes in all sizes and bring them to her – from tiny raw ones that fell off the tree during storms to big ripe ones that would drop when too ripe or when bird pecked too hard on them. She taught us how to make pickles with the raw ones, jams and jellies with the semi ripe ones and the ripe ones of course did not last long enough for us to learn how to make anything out of them. Well its been a while since I visited her place and its been a while since I had good mangoes (haven’t really made trips to India during mango season for a while now)
These pictures are beautiful and a reminder of the simple pleasures of life. What would I not do to have one of those mangoes sitting in the shade of one of the mango trees.
(Sorry if the comment’s too long, I am just overwhelmed with memories right now 🙂 )
Have a safe trip!
Krithya, what lovely memories. Thanks for sharing them with us. 🙂
Mango World!
Facts and trivia:
According to some, more mangos are eaten fresh than any other fruit in the world.
Originated 4,000 plus years ago.
Biologically a close relative with other flowering plants like cashew and pistachio.
Originated in sub-Himalayan plains.
In India where they are most heavily grown and eaten, mangos are known as “safeda.”
There are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-health-benefits-of-mangos.html#ixzz3ZpzTWdin
Wow! Who knew? Love these mango trivia and facts. Thanks.
This is my idea of food heaven right outside your door. How lovely. Hopefully someone else will pick them up when you are gone.
Me, too. Our house sitter has too many mangoes at her house, too. But, I have big bags of mangoes sitting by our gate, free for the taking.
Beautiful photos ,,and mangos are the best !!!
We have tons here in florida , but in July,,,
have a great trip wherever your going and hope to meet you June while I’m there !!
I’m going to be doing service work at La Esperanza ,,,have u heard of them?
they are in Granada.
HAVE FUN!!!!!
Heidi, I volunteered for La Esperanza many, many years ago. It’s a great organization. I hope to see you when we return. 🙂
on yes, the sound of a mango slamming a tin roof jolts all unsuspecting people! ka-pow! yow!
it’s so great to awakn in the morning and search for the pefect/unbruised mangos for that first food of the day! the ‘free-range’ cattle were always a nuisance, as they’d break al fences to get to the mangoes, especially at the end of the dry season when the mangoes represented a source of water as well.
buen viaje! enjoy your time in the ‘states!
Thanks, Lisa. Oh, and you are right about the cattle knocking over the fences to get at the mangoes. We’ve had to repair our fences a couple of times.
No mangos on the ground here , but we do have lemon, mandarin and one failing grapefruit. It’s been overwhelmed by the others. Time to plant some more fruit trees. We’ll be headed back in July and hoping to find some Spanish / English combo books for the children here in our village , ages 8 – 14 . They have such a passion to learn , especially improving their english. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Safe travels amigos, enjoy your visit.
John and Mary, I’ll send you some suggestions for books. Most of the Dr. Seuss books are bilingual. The kids love them, but the translation into Spanish just doesn’t sound the same. lol Happy planting.
Enjoyed reading this! Some time back, we faced a similar plight with guava as well as figs. Carpet of ripe guavas (green with pink hue on inside) on the ground. Too much or too less is bad in life 🙂
Haha! Yep, sometimes too much of a good thing can be overwhelming. Thanks for your comment, Alka.
That is such a tragedy! What I would give to be able to fill my freezer and tummy with mangoes! 🙂 enjoy!
Mani, I wish I could send you a suitcase full of these luscious mangoes. 😦