October 8, 2011

In search of the rambutan

Monday is Columbus Day. So C-man's class is celebrating by dressing as an explorer and bringing in world treats to share. Now that sounds like fun, doesn't it? Except, how in the world do you dress like an explorer? Especially when so many of them, including Columbus, really weren't upstanding gentlemen we'd want to emulate?

So we settled on Marco Polo. By all accounts, he was fairly decent. And since he did the Asian exploration, C-man could take some lychees to school, which he loves. So today, we set off to scour the south side of Milwaukee and its Asian markets. Only to find out, it's not lychee season.

It is, however rambutan season.
Since I've never had a rambutan, Beerman grabbed a pack. They open like a lychee, and are a little bigger, but have the same color and texture flesh. Lychees are still better, but they are quite similar in taste. I'm still amazed by their furry hairs. Apparently they are just as common in places like Indonesia and the Philippines as apples are here. Huh. Who knew? (Best discussion at dinner tonight - C-man, "These rambutans are delicious!" Beerman, "You mean you'll eat strange, hairy fruit but not macaroni and cheese?" C-man, "Yes. But these are good.")
Anyhow, C-man has a modified Robin Hood costume and a tri-corner hat for his Marco Polo impersonation. Nothing like what Marco Polo probably wore, but it's sort of robe-like and C-man is happy with that. And he's taking lychee jelly candies for his treat, along with some Japanese bird cakes we brought home that are still good. I'm curious to see what the other kids' parents come up with.

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