Australia has a lot of very odd allegedly-edible objects (I am told they are fruits). Jet's mom, Min brought one home for us last night:



Behold, a Custard Apple. It is quite good. Earlier this year I was introduced to a wonderful fruit, the lychee, that enjoyed a special place in my affections until it abruptly went out of season. While I somehow doubt either of these fruits grow in Canada, I am sure they must be available somewhere. Clearly, I have been moving in the wrong circles.

In other fruit news, the banana tree behind the house is in the process of creating bananas:



Jet tells me that it is also in the process of creating rats and snakes, and that I am to stay far away from it. In order to extend the working holiday visa that I am currently over here on for a second year, applicants must work for three months in rural Australia. Many of them choose to do this by picking fruit. Many of them wind up in the hospital picking fruit -- of course, not all of these get bitten by rats: some, like my friend Dave, who I worked with in Banff, simply fall out of trees and break their tailbones. (I have already completed my three months by cooking up north and waitressing in the Whitsundays, so will not be forced into the fruit picking slave market just yet).