La granja macadamia, el ocho de noviembre, 2016

Class went well yesterday and today.  I'm learning more all the time and truly enjoying it.  Sheny, mi profesora rides a motorbike-

I awoke this morning to clear, blue skies-

The afternoon activity was to the Valhalla Macadamia Farm.  It was born over 40 years ago by an American couple.  They have started  over 350.000 seedlings-

and given most away.  They believe that if one can grow a tree and nuts, then turn around and sell those nuts, each tree, after 4 or 5 years will produce $1000!  

Did you know.......

        -  One tree can remove 30 pounds of carbon from the air, helping to reduce global warming.                              

        -  Madadamia nuts are high in Omega 3, 6 and 9 fats, proteins and other vitamins helping build

           healthy bodies.

        -  The trees live for over 150 years, creating sustainable farming.  

        -  They provide a lot of firewood too because they need continual pruning.  

The tree has big funny leaves and the nut grows continually.  We saw tiny flowers (half an inch long) to nuts ready to harvest growing on the same tree-

The nuts aren't picked, they just fall off and the outside green part-

Is beaten off in this machine-

Leaving-

The nuts are then laid out to dry for a few weeks.  They must be super dry to get them out of the shell-

Once dried, they are separated using this simple but effective machine-

The nuts are poured onto the rack and as they roll downhill, they fall into one of six gunny sacks, depending on their size-

Once sorted, they are cracked open, sorted again manually, washed, then dried at very low temperatures for several days.  The rate of drying varies with the nut's size.  The finished products include white and dark chocolates, butter, lotion and oils used to prevent aging!  Ha!  As if!

Back in my room, the view from my toilet was amazing-

I have been en mi casa for 24 meals and only once have we had something twice!  Odillia and Alphonso really make an effort with us.  Not only do they cook and do the dishes, whoever cooks, sits and visits with us while we're eating.  Something every meal is fried and today's lunch was no exception.  Breaded, then fried huge chunks of cauliflower!  At first I thought it was mushy chicken, but no.  We get meat once/day, usually at lunch time.  We always have tortillas and/or the freshest bread ever.  

Supper tonight was no exception: chorizo sausage, frijoles and tomato salad.  We call it salsa, but salsa means sauce.  Mmmm delicioso!

There will be 7 students staying here for the next week!  Lots of hablar y ruido!