HOME → RTWINFO → Jepson Trip → Cindy's Blog → Post #009

Cindy's World Trip Blog

September 21, Month 4

Costa Rica - Gourds Make Great Pinatas

"Those of course are coconut palms," said the caretaker of our beach house. "The big one over there is a type of apple tree and that one," she said gesturing to a tree in the middle of the vacant lot, "is a gourd tree."

"A gourd tree?" I said. "I didn't know that gourds grew on trees." I looked closely at the tree and I saw green ovals about the length of my shoe hanging all over the tree.

She suggested that my children and her daughter could get together, cut some down and paint them after we scrapped them out. I agreed telling her that it sounded fun.

A few days later the caretaker called and said that she needed to leave town on a family emergency. I was concerned for her and her family. Still, I couldn't help but selfishly being disappointed a little knowing that the gourd activity was out.

Regardless of the fact that I didn't have a ladder and that I would have to walk through calf-high grass, curiosity got the best of me.

The grass in itself wasn't a problem - I just worried that I might happen upon a snake. Just a few days earlier a tiny one poked his head out of a bush while I was opening the gate to let the car out. Richard said it was a harmless kind, but I had been refusing to open the gate since. The grass it seemed to me would be a perfect home for a slithery creature. It seemed dumb (and scary) to go tromping through the place. Have I mentioned I hate... really HATE snakes?

I decided on one solution for both problems: a broom handle. For my curiosity to out weigh my phobia of snakes is saying something. Regardless, I set out, bent over, swishing the handle in front of me in the grass. I was watching with my nerves on end for any sign of movement. When there was none, I stepped forward. Repeating the motions - swish, watch, step - I continued on for six to eight repetitions until I arrived at the tree.

I should actually say "we." Sophia, also curious, but much more brave, was on my heels.

Swinging at the gourd like it was a pinata, with my broomstick in hand, I hit it again and again. All the while I was checking for the supposed snake creeping up on me (and now I had to worry about Sophia too). Sensing that I was loosing courage, Sophia began to say encouraging things like, "your doing great Mommy."

Again I started to whack at it, bringing it down on the 4th blow. It fell next to an old brown gourd already on the ground. We picked them both up and headed back repeating the step pattern with the broom leading the way.

Back on the safety of the groomed grass, the other kids joined in. They watched me hack at the top of the gourd using the kitchen knife like a mini ax. I had to work at it a lot because the shell of the gourd is surprisingly tough, even when it is green. Finally, we broke the top off to reveal a white inside with the consistency of an apple. We dug it out like we would've if we were preparing a pumpkin to carve, then we set it in the sun to dry.

Aah.. my curiosity was satisfied. That is until I realized that we still had the brown one. I wondered - were we doing it the hard way? Would the gourds somehow hollow themselves out if they are allowed to turn brown on their own? Only one way to find out. I told the girls that they could smash it on the concrete of our patio. It heard it thud dully, but it didn't break. Repeat. Out splashed a nasty, gooey, black glob that we quickly realized smelled worse than it looked. Oops! I guess I should have put a little more thought into where we smashed it.

After the unpleasant clean-up job, I couldn't help but be pleased. Yes pleased. There is something deeply satisfying about exploring new things with my senses - sight, touch, sound, and even smell. It is like being a child again. To discover these things simultaneously with my children is even more rewarding. This is what I have been enjoying most about Costa Rica - the new experiences with nature... all hands on.