Figs in the Garden of Eden
Hi Everybody! I'm back from my vacation to the Garden of Eden, otherwise known as Pelion, Greece. While people on the other side of the mountain sweltered in 40C/102F heat, we were kicking it cool in the shade of olive trees, swimming in the cove and cooking all matter of things in the outdoor kitchen. But figs are my #1 draw to Pelion in the summer. You know the green Kadota figs are ripe when they turn from solid green to a yellowy-green color, when they begin to drip "honey" and when cut from the branch, they no longer exude a milky liquid at the stem end. 
One of my favorite things to do at the house is to go down for a swim and on the way up again, to pick a ripe fig off the tree and eat it before going inside. Edenic. There's no other word for it. Could Adam and Eve's downfall have been brought on by just a mere apple?
posted by Susan in Italy @ 12:54 PM
17 Comments:
Welcome back Susan it sounds like you had a fantastic time and those figs look heavenly.
Hope you don't mind but I've tagged you for a meme - you can find the details here
Hi Haalo, thanks! I really enjoyed reading your top 5. Will get on it soon.
that is one sexy fruit! sounds like a wonderful vacation. cant wait to see more pics
The figs are now a favorite memory of our trip to Greece. The four day "retreat" at Labinou was beyond my wildest dreams, especially the fresh figs and looking out of the window next to my bed at night before falling asleep and seeing the sea below and the starfilled sky and a full moon above the olive and fig trees. It doesn't get much better than that.
oh, figs! they're my elusive favorite. can't buy 'em in the store, and have had no luck with the trees yet. they don't want to live! an old babysitter had a huge tree just dripping with them, and she'd bring a huge wooden bowl mounded with them when she came to our house. just the thought of those days makes me want to cry!
Hi Stacey, I know, do you think these pics are a little racey?
Hi Mom, Oh, I so glad you had a good time! I talked to Dad the other night when you were at work and he raved about Greece. Gabriel will make a CD with all the photos we took for you to see.
Hi Melissa, Where was the tree? In the Carolinas? I can't imagine it in Michigan.
those figs look amazing. love your blog and added it to my favorites.
Finally! We missed you!
What wonderful figs...the juice oozing out the bottom is almost too tempting to bear!
Hi Ragazza, Thanks! What part of the Caribbean are you from? (I studied Caribbean Lit. in College)
Hi Ivonne, Glad to hear from you again too.
Hi Ellie, Thanks!
Welcome back, Susan! I have missed you! Your vacation in Pelion sounds idyllic - I can only imagine how sweet it must have been to have a beautiful house, a cove to swim in, cool temperatures and those mouth-watering figs!
Again, so happy to have you back!
oh, yes, that tree was here in nc. many people grow them, just my luck hasn't been good. maybe it's the placement.
Hi Lotus! Glad to hear from you too! I've been slowly catching up on your India Travelogue.
Hi Melissa, At the house in Pelion, they also have problems getting enough sun on the N. side of the mountain. I know of a guy in NJ who has a back-yard fig tree and wraps it in winter to keep the chill from herming it. Too OCD for your tastes?
Susan,
I was born in NYC but my family is from St. Martin (mostly the french side) and Anguilla.
My parents moved back to St. Martin a couple years ago. Looking forward to going home for Christmas.
Caribbean Lit? that is really interesting. any book suggestions? I have read Jamaica Kincaid.
Hi Ragazza, Oh, I just loved "A Small Place" by Kincaid!
Do you realize what you've asked for? Since I'm sure nobody wants the whole list, I'll just give you the top 10 ;) In no specific order)
1. "The Kingdom of this World" Alejo Carpentier (Cuba)
2. "Passing" Michelle Cliff (Jamaica)
3. "In the Time of the Butterflies" Julia Alvarez (Dominican Republic)
4. How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents" J. Alvarez
5. Any poetry by Tato Laviera (Nuyorican)
6. "Red Beans" Victor Hernandez Cruz (Puerto Rico)
7. "The Black Jacobins" C.L.R. James (Trinidad)
8. any cultural studies text by Stuart Hall (Jamaica)
9. "Nuestra America" (Our America) by Jose Marti (Cuba)
10. "La guaracha del macho camacho" (Macho Camacho's Beat) by Luis Rafael Sanchez (P.R.)
Thanks for the list. I read #4 and loved it.
Susan - they are racy fruits! man they look delicious. i have decided i will have to have a fig tree one day. :)
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