Save the mangoes

Mangoes are everywhere now. First of all, mangoes or  mangos? (it’s not really clear even per Merriam-Webster!)

While I know many people (mostly that reside in the States) that love the fruit called mango, they are not generally readily available to most — unless you are in Saipan. At the store, they are inexpensive — I fill a bag and it only costs a buck or two — and that is because of the good ol’ law of supply and demand. They are everywhere here.

If you ever wanted to know what a mango tree looks like .. here one is.

(I apologize for the haziness… that’s what happens when you go from air conditioning in the hospital and out into the 90% humidity!)

This is a tree just sitting in the green space around the hospital next to the parking lot, minding its own business.

Here’s a close-up so you can see the mango… fruits.

Earlier this week when I was driving up towards the north, my windows were down and a very distinctive smell started wafting into the car. It’s that overripened, soured by the sun smell of mangoes. Those people that have mango trees on their property have to go outside and rake/picking up the bruised and copious mangoes on the ground to prevent this smell from building up — it’s a chore for the kids! (seriously, can you imagine raking MANGOS in the autumn instead of leaves?!)

All these mangoes around have made my mouth perpetually a little itchy, but mangoes being in season is reason #513 that I should stay in Saipan!

(Insert Sarah McLachlan singing here)

So, if you want to save the mangoes, just come .. hop on a plane here and you can save as many mangoes as your hands, mouth, and stomach can handle. The fate of those mangoes can be in your hands. Do it today, don’t wait.

For less than $1 a day… this juicy mango could be saved from rotting on the ground. Please help now.