6 1.6: Observation (2/2)
The banana trees also provide several essential and useful items. The fruit could be eaten by itself when ripe. Raw ones could be made into a snack after being sliced, soaked in palm sugar and smoked over embers and sun-dried thereafter to provide yet another delicacy by the locals of the settlement.
The leaves could be used as a plate, or to wrap food for transportation or storage. It is also one of a convenient way to make the baked bread earlier, or as a steamer for rice as well.
It was said that banana trees only bore fruit once in their lifetime so once the fruits had been brought down, the trunks would be chopped off near their base. The trunks were then sawed off about 30 centimeters in length. It could be peeled off layer by layer and made into a kind of 'shelter' for young tendril plants from the harsh sun rays. Once the layered trunk had dried off and young tendrils no longer need shelter from direct sunlight, the 'shelter' could be removed and used as tinder or kindling for fires in cooking or bonfires.
When the sun sets near the horizon and birds were coming back to roost back to their nests, the women who were thumping their sticks and mortars gathered up all the thumped grains into sacks prepared beforehand. Smoke raised from 'dirty kitchens' of the houses around began to rise as others were preparing dinner. Children were chasing chickens and ducks back to their own chicken or duck coops. An elderly man went to the middle of the courtyard and began to light the prepared gatherings of wood, tinder, and kindling for the bonfire.
Guards at the majestic House also went about to lit the torches set on top of the fences. Soon the whole settlement was once again filled with the activity of preparing dinner, welcoming their husbands or fathers back from the farm while others headed to the common well which was partially covered by a bamboo fence near the edge of the settlement to shower and get rid of the dirt and grime from harvesting. I noticed a few outhouses or public toilets lined near the common well too.
I observed Ani approaching the group where I was sitting and handed me a wraparound cloth. This being understood that it's time for me to take a shower and ready myself for dinner. I excused myself from the guys and made my way gingerly towards the well where a group of men had gathered. Entering inside the partial fence of the common well, I followed what the men were doing and covered myself with the cloth while undressing myself and wrapping the cloth around my waist.
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The clothes I then hung on top of the fence and went to the well. There was a small bucket with a rope attached so I presume to drop the bucket and rope to withdraw water. When I pulled it up, I raised the bucket and poured the water onto my head and to my body.
”Aaahhh... Bbbbrrrrrrrr.....” I can't help myself yelping when the water hit me. The water felt so cold yet refreshing despite a warm evening earlier. The other men who were watching me yelp earlier chuckled to themselves. ”Oh well, I've got to get used to this life after all since I won't be leaving here so soon. There's so much to do and explore in this yet simple and mediocre life.” I thought to myself as I repeated the process of pulling water and pouring it on my self at the same.
As I stepped out from the common well after gathering my clothes, I walked and shivered as I headed to the house where Ani entered the first time. I copied her way before stepping onto the steps by scooping the water from the brown earthen jar and cleansed my feet. While still clinging on to the wet and dropping wrap cloth around my waist I headed towards the main door.....