Mangos

India is known for its heat and curry and 1.1 billion people, yes. But, another thing that it’s known for, especially this time of year, is its mangos. I began this past week, only trying a mango once before, not really liking it much at all. I didn’t see why so many people love mangos so much

Until last week. We arrived at this place we were installing last week and after breakfast of….curry, there were a basket of mangos. Everyone was stunned I never had a mango before. They showered me a way to cut it open, so I tried it. Wow, very juicy. So you spoon out the orange pulpy fibers and eat it… ok, so I did. Whoa. Woaaah What was that. I think I just tasted heaven. Another bite, I heard angels talking, another I was floating on clouds. Now these weren’t mangos laced with LCD or even spiked with vodka. This was pure, no artificial preservatives, no pesticides, organic mangos, from the tree I could see out the window. My world of food as I knew it had been flipped upside down. No fruit compares to mangos. I then proceeded to have another. And another

Over the course of 4 days, I managed to consume an astonishing 23 mangos, that approximately 5.5 kilos of mango. The locals were only mildly impressed. After meals you generally wash your hands, because you ear with your hands, not forks and spoons. I also had to wash mango out of my beard, off my forearms, and pull pulp out of my teeth; so very very worth it.

Little did I understand at first, these mangos have a catch 22, unfortunately. They are very fibrous. And contain a lot of sugar. So I was in a great mood for an hour after meals then id crash. Not a big deal. But it all caught up to me on the last day of the trip, all the fiber that is. Imagine eating a box of triscuits every day for a week. Probably wasn’t the best choice I ever made. So I am now limiting myself to only a few mangos a day. Just the same, nothing tastes as good as a fresh mango. Mango juice doesn’t compare, mango jelly doesn’t come close, and mango candy tastes like peaches.

Mom, please have some mangos in the house around July 26^th. Thanks.