Words of the Day: Ananas & Fumeroles

Pineapples.

Not Bananas.

I don't know why.

In this Boston Globe Article about Azorean Food, that's what they focus on.

How they grow pineapples like crazy.  (And yet spinach or any green vegetable is a REAL rarity!) In a greenhouse, no less.  Including a tradition of "smoking" the interior (called a "fumo") because once there was an accidental fire and all the fruit ripened at the same time.

The idea of "Cozido" (meaning "cooked") is simple.  Food is cooked.  Basic, right?  On Sao Miguel, they cook food in the town of Furnas by using the naturally-heated volcanic ground.

There are geysers and hot springs, called "fumeroles", and which have that sulphur smell.  Rotten eggs.  (It's worse than you imagine)  Would you want to eat something that has been cooking in the GROUND for 6-7 hours? (YES!!!)

Do they do this at Yellowstone Park, near Old Faithful?

Mariocos: Pyramids Discovered on Pico

Pyramids have been "discovered" (explained? documented?) on Pico, in the Madelena area.

The Azores were "discovered" (claimed) by the Portuguese in 1427. These predate that.  But there is little evidence, documentation or any other explanation on offer.

But it did make the paper!

http://portuguese-american-journal.com/pico-new-archeological-evidence-reveals-human-presence-before-portuguese-occupation-azores/

Swimming: Vo Nadar Do Pico P'Ro Faial

My great grandfather used to say, "You could swim from Pico to Faial, but you can't swim from Faial to Pico.  The tides are against you."

Well, he'd say it in Portuguese.

"Você pode nadar de Pico para o Faial, mas você não pode nadar de Faial para o Pico. As marés estão contra você."

I'm thinking of setting a new goal for myself since Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida (53 hours, 110 Miles).  It's only 6 Kilometers (3.7 miles!!  I could do that!!)  I regularly swim the 1 mile roundtrip that is Walden Pond.

I've visited several times, (and have always gone by ferry between the 2 islands).  I also once took a larger ship to all of the islands.  To get to Corvo, I had to take an inflated speedboat across the channel.  It was one of the scariest things I've ever done in my life, it took about an hour and was difficult for the BOAT.  There are some challenges that are best unchallenged.  There is a strong gravity to the phrase, "Always respect Mother Nature,"  which I've heard from my Mom and other people from the islands, especially sailors.

I do find it reassuring that she had a boat alongside of her.  I have also faced a school of jellyfish (off the coast of Santa Maria).  Never been in a shark cage, though.