Gummie Experiment

Vodka-soaked gummie bears?  This came up in conversation toward the end of a shift at the zoo not too long ago.  The keepers and other volunteers collected under the hau tree to escape the sun while waiting out the final 30 minutes until the lunch break.  Somehow the topic shifted to a news story about teenagers taking gummie bears to school to snack on, only these gummie bears deliver more than just a sugar high.  We were all astounded to hear that the tiny fruity candy could be a turned into an on-the-go jello shot.  I decided to investigate.

After a little searching on the Internet, I found many resources for how to go about intoxicating the gummies.  I bought a couple of brands of candy and used a variety of liquor, stuff we had in the fridge.  A common suggestion was to soak the gummies in liquor for 5 days to allow them time to fully saturate.  I chose to keep them submerged for a couple of days.

I layered the gummies in the bottom of the glasses before pouring in enough vodka or rum to cover them completely.  Then, I used cellophane and a rubber band to seal the glass.  I wrote on the rubber band to identify which liquor was in which.  After making room in the fridge, I let them sit overnight.

The following day I gave each glass a little shake and noticed that the bears were already growing, kind of like those little sponge pills that grow into a dinosaur when water is added to them.  I love those.

Just to determine how potent these little critters may be, I popped one into my mouth.  WHOA!  A handful of these would do a lot of damage.  The fumes alone are enough to make your eyes tear.  With a burning tongue, I put them back in the fridge.

Once ready, the bears take on a glassy look and are very swollen.

Jeff was willing to taste test, so I made some with Haribo, his favorite brand.  The looks he gave were priceless.

The flavor was not pleasing.  Neither was the burning sensation that lingered in the mouth.  Down the drain they went, though I took a few to pass out to the keepers at the zoo (to enjoy after hours, of course).  I can't imagine what they would taste like after 5 days bathing in the vodka.  I'll stick with a traditional jello shot in the future, or better yet, a good glass of wine.

Breadfruit Experiment

Next time you visit the Honolulu Zoo, be sure to stop in the Keiki Zoo.  Just to the left of the entrance, near the overstocked Koi pond that also has as few ducks milling about, is the breadfruit tree that all of the Samoan security guards lust over.  This tree has the tastiest breadfruit around, and I got to have some.  Twice.

I'd noticed the gigantic green orbs while raking the grass near the pond and asked about them during a casual conversation with Les, a kind zoo volunteer I've met recently.  I found myself involved in a new project.  Les couldn't believe that I'd never had breadfruit, deciding to take matters into his own hands immediately.  The final ninety minutes of the zoo shift finds the keepers and volunteers searching for odd jobs to do to stay busy, talking, or spending time on smartphones, so we were all in for a little action.  A small group of us followed Les to the massive tree, our interest instantly piqued when he came out of the shed with a huge fishing net.  It didn't look like he was interested in the low hanging fruit.

A breadfruit that's ready to be eaten will have white milky droppings all over it, appearing to have been recently pooped on by one of the feral pigeons.  It certainly doesn't look appealing at first glance.  After Les reached and tugged at a high, oozing breadfruit, we all heard a, "Dunk!" before a big splash startled the ducks.  The breadfruit had fallen into the pond.  Ick.  Les fished it out and handed it to me, sopping wet and sticky.  All I could do was smile and say thanks.

With fifteen minutes left of our shift, I held onto the giant ball, similar in size to a coconut, trying not to look awkward.  Several visitors asked me what I had, and why.  There were no real easy answers.  Les shared his methods for cooking the starch, but no one was sure about how to tell when it would be ripe enough to eat.  When the security guard came to relieve us (they keep watch of the petting areas while everyone takes lunch), I asked him for some tips, which he was happy to share.

The nice Samoan told me to keep my new prize on the counter at home for a couple of days to let it get a little soft, like an avocado.  In the meantime, I looked online to find recipes and suggestions for how to prepare it.  The security guard wasn't kidding when he told me to use an empty can to shave off its skin.  I found a YouTube video that did just that.  Well, since we're leasing a furnished condo, I decided to avoid ruining a knife trying to cut a can of beans in half, especially since I've broken 3 or 4 water glasses and two wine glasses in the past 5 months.  It's not me; they're super cheap.  And, I'm klutzy.  Mostly, they're super cheap.

Notice the poop-like white milky markings.  I'm not too sure what the dark spot are, but no one seemed alarmed.

I chose the easiest method: to just cut the thing open with a good ole fashioned knife, chop it up into cubes, then boil it for a few minutes.  I wasn't making this for a dinner party or anything, more because Les picked it for me.  I didn't expect to get Jeff to eat much and didn't want to take too much time preparing anything gourmet.  The thing did fall into a nasty pond for heaven's sake.  I guess Jamaican style would've been even easier, since after a couple of cuts, the whole thing goes in the oven to bake for an hour.  As previously stated, we're leasing a condo. 

I only used a quarter, not intending to ruin my dinner.  After 10 minutes in boiling water, I called it ready.  A tiny bit of butter, salt, and pepper, and it's done. 

Absolutely tasted like a potato with a hint of sweet at the finish.  Also, it's a touch stickier than potato.  I convinced Jeff to take a bite.  He made a face during the entire process, even while just picking up a fork to stab a chunk.  He didn't mind it but has preconceived notions about texture and sets himself up.  I don't expect that this will become a staple in our household.

The next week at the zoo, I told of my tasting and enjoyment of preparing the breadfruit.  One of the zoo volunteers is a successful chef who gloated about his amazing breadfruit dishes.  This spurred on the suggestion to hold a potluck lunch where Tony would make us a scrumptious dish using the breadfruit from the zoo.  He did not let us down.  I'm not sure what was in his mash besides butter, chives, salt, and pepper, but it was super good.  I even had seconds. 

Zoo Volunteer - Llamapalooza

Fun quotes from last Tuesday at the zoo:

If a child eats any goat poop, just tell the parents to call the family doctor when they get home.
Have you groomed a llama before?
Do you know how to harness a llama?
Please clean the windows inside the blue tongue skink/bearded dragon exhibit, and be careful not to disrupt their eating.

It seems peculiar that, after growing up in Fowlerville surrounded by corn fields, hogs, milk cows, and the fair, my first experiences holding a chicken, picking up horse poop, and harnessing an animal would be in Hawaii.  Yet, here I sit writing about it.

The highlight of my last shift at the Keiki Zoo was not getting spit on by Lorenzo, the llama.  The second best part of the day was getting to walk him around the zoo. 

After the cleaning and first feeding of the day were complete, it was only 11am, plenty of time to learn how to harness, groom, and walk Lorenzo.  I had already met Lorenzo a couple of times, since I've cleaned out his and Gracie's romp.  Gracie is the sheep who shares living quarters with Lorenzo.  She has never been a problem.  Lorenzo can be ornery and has many more expressions than most of the other animals in the petting zoo section, keeping me on alert every time I'm in their romp.  I try to act very brave and nonchalant when I'm near Lorenzo for fear of being spit on.  So far, I've stayed clean.

Around 11am, Kendall, one of the keepers, asked if I wanted to learn how to take Lorenzo for a walk.  Of course I did!!  He explained how to put the harness on, what the animals expect, and what's expected of them.  He warned that Lorenzo was most likely going to grunt and look at me sideways the first time I tried to harness him.  Kendall said to take him on his bluff, and continue with my job no matter what, as to maintain a level of respect and authority.  Easy for the keeper to say.

Kendall first showed me how to put the harness on Lorenzo and walk him around the romp.  As we switched places, it began to rain quite heavily.  Half of the romp is covered, but I could tell that Lorenzo was uninterested in getting wet.  Our area for moving and walking was now only about 10' by 6' with a pole on one side.  Tight quarters for an irritable llama and new zoo volunteer.

I stepped into the romp, walked up to Lorenzo's left side, managed to get the harness on with nothing more than a quint and ear flick, and breathed a silent sigh of relief.  Since the rain continued, Kendall asked me to hang tight with Lorenzo while he went to get the grooming tools.  A small group of people crowded around the romp, eager to see what I was going to do, since I obviously had some special skills with the llama.  So, I walked Lorenzo in a small circle, only having to use some force on the rope once when we neared the wet side of the romp. Then we stood, since those are the only special skills I have. 

It's funny how excited people get when a person is near any animal in the zoo.  Just opening the guinea pig house, people rush over saying, "Look!  There's a lady in there.  Come watch!  Nathan, Brian, get over here quick!  Oh wow!  She just set down the water bowl." I'll admit, that I pay extra attention when there are humans interacting with the critters.  But, the guinea pigs?  The chickens?  Nothing to see here, folks.

Kendall returned with the brushes, secured Lorenzo to the pole, and demonstrated how to brush Lorenzo's coarse fur.  He didn't seem to like the feeling, though Kendall told me he never usually minded much.  Well, today was a different day.  Lorenzo was less than thrilled about being groomed.  He started spitting up a storm while stomping a bit in place.  Kendall stayed near his head, keeping the rope secured to the post while I continued brushing.  It seemed to help when I kept one hand on his back while the other brushed.  He looked very handsome when we were all through.

I was so glad when the rain let up just as I was finishing with the brush.  Off we went on a short stroll through the zoo.  Kendall showed me the large loop to take to avoid the tiger and the savannah section, as those animals will consider Lorenzo their lunch and cause a raucous.  I was happy to avoid that.  Lorenzo was alert and fairly easy to lead around.  Many visitors stopped to look, take a picture, and say hello to Lorenzo, calling him by name.  Ten minutes later I led my new llama acquaintance back to his romp where Gracie was bleating loudly, obviously distraught that her pack mate was gone.  Once reunited, all was quiet again.

Maybe next time I'll get to help clean Hoku, the miniature horse's, hooves!

Zoo Volunteer - Keiki Coloring Contest

Before I began my shift in the zoo working with the animals, I was appointed to the volunteer team of the Wildest Show Concert Series that takes place every Wednesday evening throughout the summer, hugely popular in the area.  The zoo officially closes at 4:30 only to reopen at 4:35 for an extremely discounted ticket price of $3 that makes the huge lawn available for picnics and music.  People are also able to take a mini tour to one section of the zoo to check in on a featured critter.  Simultaneously, a coloring contest is underway until 5:30 so that winners in each of three categories can be chosen for announcement at 5:55.  There is also a drawing for an adult and a child ukulele, which is a big deal.  The times I listed are known by staff and volunteers, but "Hawaii Time" is very true and observed each week.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Ukulele tent (where to enter the drawing) at 4:10 (give or take 15 minutes, actually it's just give, since no one shows up early). Thankfully, the volunteer coordinator is on her game, looks somewhat frazzled on the outside, but she has a sense of humor that maintains throughout the craziness.  She directs staff and volunteers, putting out fires in every direction, whether it's another hole in the stage floor (2' x 18" piece of plywood did the trick), missing tables and chairs 3 minutes to gate opening, no coloring sheets or utensils for the contest after hoards of kids stampede the tent.  The cast of characters that help out at the Wildest Show are seasoned, some of them being part of the action for more than a decade, so no one gets their panties in a twist over any of these issues.

Near 5 o'clock, we usually have at least 20 keiki (kids) that have already begun coloring the picture of the week's featured critter, last week being Rusty the Orangutan.  The lawn begins to fill up with blankets, short lawn chairs, and lots of ohana, some that have been coming for years and years.  By the time the local acts take the stage at 6, the grassy expanse is full of around a thousand people.  The announcer, Roy, knows many by name and face, perusing the crowd before proclaiming the winners of the Keiki Coloring Contest.

Back to the coloring, my territory for the event.  I work with a lady who grew up on the island, has been a very active part of the zoo and concert series for a very long time, and also has a daughter who volunteers.  She is pretty outspoken white lady with a big heart, especially for the two year-olds that enter the contest.  She has a system for how the are is set up, how we pick winners, and how to manage the quirky and particular emcee, Roy.  I follow her lead, since I'm new and a haole. 

 

By 5:30, we collect all the papers and rush out of the coloring area taking refuge near one of the bird sections (there are loads) to go through the stack of 100+ pieces of art to narrow down and choose winners.  The categories are Wildest (mostly the younger keiki), Most Creative, and Neatest.  She and I work to sort, narrow, and finally rank three winners in each category.  Her soft spot for the 2-3 year-olds always comes out. 

We have to be stage side by 5:50 or else Roy gets in a tizzy.  He announces the winners who come meet me beside the stage to redeem their prizes.  The second and third prizes vary, since Kathy gets them from the dollar section.  However, the grand prize winners get a year membership to the zoo!  That's really amazing, except when the kids run up to me excited about the prize and then I hand them an envelope.  I think they are happier about the high fives and hugs than the envelope, since many can't grasp what it means.  Plus, they just witnessed other kids running off with fuzzy pens or puzzles.  It reminds me of skating competitions where little kids are sometimes more interested in the little ribbon the 8th place competitors get and don't want the medal earned for a top three finish.  There have definitely been tears shed over having to stand on the podium with a heavy piece of medal hung around the neck in lieu of a shiny yellow ribbon.

Back to the zoo...besides having to wear pounds of bug spray to fend off mosquitoes, the three hour commitment has been very pleasant.  The music is usually very good (Manoa DNA has been my favorite so far), the sun sets behind the trees by 5, and I get to see lots and lots of smiles.  I was particular excited one evening when I got called "aunty" by a lady and her son.  It made me feel local.   

Zoo Voluneer - Pleased to meet you?

First official shift at the Keiki Zoo was today.  I was up early, had my clothes and name tag ready to go last night, and had a dream that included a mongoose, though I don't remember why. 

At precisely 7:58, two minutes before showtime, I made my way into the volunteer center to sign in.  I came upon a lady I had seen walking down the street in front of my hotel earlier.  Us volunteers are everywhere.  Lena was volunteering in the Keiki Zoo also but she's done it for a while now.  We wait for the zookeepers to finish the morning meeting and then get started.

I meet the two zookeepers and find that Lena is going to show me the ropes.  I find right away that Lena is good-natured, from France, and that she's technically incarcerated.  I put in the technically because she shared the info with me using air quotes.  No joke.

So, we proceed to clean and rake and get very sweaty because there is a whole lotta sun and almost no shade or breeze today.  Lovely. 

The head zookeeper interrupted us in the first couple of minutes of Lena explaining how we scoop and rake poop to ask us to use leaf blowers to clean the walkways first.  I haven't gotten to use a leaf blower before and was actually a bit excited.  I was able to start mine right away and felt that proved that I wasn't as weak as I may look.  Lena and I spent about 20 minutes battling the flowers and leaves all over the walkways which continue to collect every minute from the enormous tree in the center of the Keiki Zoo.  Thought it looked a little better than before we started, it was impossible to keep them clear.

Next, Lena and I began raking poop in the llama and sheep romp.  I tried very hard to show no fear to Lorenzo, preventing a spitting session.  There was a moment when Lena was talking to Lorenzo when his ears went down, lips began grinning.  Thankfully, the moment passed without incident. 

By now I have found out that Lena has spent 3 years in prison out of the max sentence of 10.  Mind you, there is no one else around and the zookeepers are out of sight.  No big deal.  Lena stops raking and asks if I want to see something "trippy."  Of course, I do.  We find that a dead frog, about 2 inches long, is upside down and being spun around by ants!  Trippy it was!  The ants moved the frog by a couple of inches in no time. 

After the llama and sheep romp, we scooped horse poop, goat pellets, and washed windows.  While taking a water break, Lena shared with me that the reason she was in jail was because of selling a tiny bit of ice to an undercover cop.  She was out on furlough trying to get a job and spent a 4-hour shift volunteering at the zoo.  TMI, probably.  However, her honesty was refreshing and not too over the top.

After the water break, a zookeeper asked us to clean out the guinea pig romp, apparently Lena's least favorite thing to do.  I can see why.  It was messy, to say the least, and low to the ground, so we crouched a lot.  We did get to use a huge vacuum cleaner and talk tot he 4 guinea pigs, so it wasn't all bad.

with about 45 minutes left of our shift, Lena found some shade and sat to observe the crowd, making sure no one ate or drank or any other obvious unsafe behavior.  She shared some more of her difficult life story before leaving to get a drink of water.  Let's leave it at that for now.

I asked a zookeeper if I could help with anything, so he instructed me how to "show" an animal.  First day in the Keiki Zoo, and I got to show a guinea pig.  Whoa, I couldn't believe it either.  You might think that there is some specialized training involved in such a responsibility, but no.  I just picked up the pig, sat down, and the kids swarmed.  The zookeeper gave me a few pieces of info so I could answer common questions.  After 10 minutes and a lot of little fingers, big smiles, and a few shrieks, my first shift in the Keiki Zoo was complete.

Maybe next week I'll get to show a chicken.