These are guanabanas. Called Soursop in the United States (although I think I've only seen them once), their insides are white, pulpy, and delicious. They make a delicious juice when blended with milk. We did not buy a guanabana today. We are too poor.
One of our favorite things about Colombia is its variety of fruits. We've talked about granadilla, a fruit that you have to suck out like snot. You've also seen pictures of pitaya, a type of dragon fruit that looks like a hand grenade. You've now seen a picture of guanabana. We've also enjoyed lulo juice, passion fruit juice, mango, tree tomatoes, and the like. Now behold, the mighty mangostino (which may not be native to Colombia, but it's still delicious).
Colombian food is hearty and delicious, even if the day-to-day fare can get a little repetitive. Most meals consist of rice, beans, potatoes (or yuca), and some sort of meat. Pasta and breads are common, as are fresh fruit juices. A very common beverage is water with panela, a sugary substance that is produced after molasses but before brown sugar.
The most common Colombian food is arepas. An arepa is like a cornmeal pancake, and every city in the country has its own variety. They range from white arepas that are very plain, to yellow arepas that are sweet and stuffed with cheese, to fried arepas that have a whole egg inside. They're delicious!
Plantains are also really common here. Sometimes they're served when they are ripe and sweet, other times they are fried while still green, making something called patacones. These taste like potatoes, but have a different texture.
Then there are regional dishes. In the coast it's common to eat ceviche, a dish made from raw fish and onions that are "cooked" in lime juice. Bucaramanga is famous for serving hot soup for breakfast, as well as for its mute, a soup with corn and intestines. Yum! Bogota is known for its ajiaco, a potato soup made with chicken, corn, and capers. For me the capers are what make it special.
There are also some good sodas here. Apple soda is popular, as is Colombiana, a cola-type drink that is similar to creme soda. We especially like the grapefruit soda they have here.
Now that I'm starving again, it's time to talk about today. Today was a day of traveling and visits. We started out from Zipaquira in another crazy bus, although this time we got a good picture of it. Enjoy the lush decorations, as well as the stuffed monkey riding in a mini hammock.
After about an hour we arrived in the pueblo of Chia. I served in Chia for 3 months, including a time when the entire town was flooded. I recall wading through knee-deep water in a suit in order to get to an appointment, but I digress. Chia is only twenty minutes north of Bogota, and the climate is the same. Mid 60's and frequently rainy.
In Chia we had the opportunity to visit with some old friends. Carlos Lozano was the ward mission leader in Chia during my time there, and he and his family always treated me really well. He's a painter, and a good one at that as seen by his art behind us.
We also met up with Irma, a wonderful woman who I baptized during my time here.
Both Irma and Carlos teamed up to provide us with lunch, and Irma gave Haley some earrings in addition to a little book for me. It was yet another example of the Colombian people being far too kind to us. We constantly have people offering us food, their homes, and help on the street.
After Chia we headed into Bogota, passing the vast greenhouses that grow Colombian flowers. These flowers, especially roses, are usually shipped to the US. Here, however, you can by a dozen meter-long roses for about 5 bucks.
And voila! Here we are in the capital city! Tomorrow we'll be seeing some more friends, as well as some of the museums in Bogota's center. Tonight, however, we'll get to enjoy the bathroom in our hotel room that only has glass walls. It's a good thing Haley and I tolerate each other.
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