~*Savvy Saban Segments: three: Cisterns*~

Wow!
Time is flying.
I can't believe almost a month has gone by...oops
It is two months to the day until I say:
"So long, see you later," to the Caribbean.

So,
 I better share some more unique things
about my little island in the sun
Before time runs out!

Of all things Saba life has taught me

Water conservation 

is the most obvious.

There are no lakes, ponds, rivers, or steams.

The only source of fresh water
for drinking, laundry, dishes, showering, etc...
 is Rain.

The whole island functions and depends on rain water.

Each house has a cistern.

Rain Falls
Catches on the Saba Red Roofs
collects and washes down the gutter...
through a pipe

Pipe from our roof to our cistern...

and
into the cistern
for household use

That's our Cistern!

Even public buildings
demand water consciousness

These signs are EVERYwhere... it take some getting used to;)

Even though I think cisterns are a great idea
and I feel very
'Eco-Friendly'
A LOoong, hot, shower is High on my list
of must do things
as soon as I get home!

~*Savvy Saban Segments: two: The Road*~

nothing is more 'Saba'

than The Road.

named 'The Road' because it is the only one

(although there are side streets, but they wont get you very far)

It is very steep, in most places, it is hard to find a turn that isn't a switch back.

The Road itself is an experience and a tourist attraction.

In fact. 

The Road is a great piece of Saban history.

It was considered 'The Road the Could Not be Built'.

A monument in Windwardside (a town) explains the history of the road.

they say Dutch officials

visited the island and declared it an impossibility.

However.
much like the little engine that could

Locals would not take no for an answer

one local {L. Hassell} took a correspondence civil engineering course 

And with a team of devoted locals

Road construction occurred from 1938-1963.

The Road is constructed with concrete and
volcanic rock
makes the very important, cliff side, retaining wall.

This would have been tremendously hard work.

the entire road was built without the use of machinery.

Only a Wheelbarrow.

Now that is Perseverance. 

As almost the only straight section we call this the 'Saba Highway'

The pictures do not do The Road justice 

But.

This YouTube video

appropriately called the Saba Roller Coaster

Really captures the essence of The Road.
Taking you from one end of the Road {the airport} to the other {Fort Bay docks}

If you pause at {1min28sec}

And.

If you could look to the right ----->

you'd see our cottage.

~*Savvy Saban Segments: Cashew Tree*~

Inspired by a conversation 

Nathan and I were having 

regarding all the interesting things we have

 learned and/ or experienced

since, moving to the Caribbean

For the next couple weeks

in Savvy Saban Segments

I have decided to Showcase some

 facts, tidbits, and fyi's

ALL about Saba, island life, and the Caribbean 

I am excited about this as it will force me to pay closer attention to the details of our experiences and it will hopefully paint a clearer picture of our island home!

as promised.

Cashew Trees.

Cashew Tree

I was and am Amazed and Fascinated with Cashew trees.
They are kinda strange looking.
My first instinct was: Cashew trees, I Love Cashews.
I imagined eating cashew nuts...
However.
Cashews nuts, themselves cannot be shelled and eaten right off the tree.
They MUST be Roasted.
The cashew nut, which is technically, a seed is found in a kidney shaped shell.

Cashew fruit just starting to bud.

Ripe and Ready Cashew fruit

Inside this shell, surrounding the nut is a poisonous liquid.
Wikipedia identifies this irritant as similar to the poison/ irritant found in poison ivy.

My next brilliant idea was that I could pick them and roast them in the oven.
Wrong again.
 A Brief Google search lead me to the Tropical Permaculture.
They describe the process and safety precautions necessary to roast cashews.
You need to wear protective gear, such as long sleeve, pants, gloves, mask, roast in a well ventilated area.
They warn you not to breath in the fumes...
No wonder cashews are so pricey!
Nathan's question about all this is:
 'who decided they wanted to eat that nut, that badly?'
We love cashews. But.
I agree and will be leaving the roasting of cashew nuts to the professionals.

ALL is NoT loSt...



As it turns out the cashew nut is not the only edible part of the cashew fruit.
The Cashew Apple, the round, yellow part, from which, the nut extends.
Is an edible, sweet, and juicy fruit!

Freshly picked cashew apples.

I think they are a novelty and delicious.

You just break the cashew seed/nut away and enjoy!

The cashew apple is very delicate and fragile and is the reason why they are not exported for sale.

The Goats like them too!