

I didn't know until I got into GK that there were fields of pineapples in some place closer to Manila -- Camarines Norte. If you travel towards the Bicol region from Manila you will notice, once you get out of the Quirino highway going to Naga, rows and rows of pineapple stands. Before you hit Libmanan though -- they disappear. All the pineapple being sold there are from the towns of Camarines Norte (the province before CamSur).
During a visit to GK sites in Camarines Norte, working through the bumpy roads of fourth and fifth class municipalities... we chanced upon a group of men loading newly harvested pineapples. We parked by the side of the road and got out of the car. I was excited to ambush a truck of pineapples!!! As we neared the truck, the delicious scent of ripe pineapples assaulted us. Yumyum...

Huge mounds of pineapple lay at the clearing by the side of the road. Men were loading the pineapples into straw baskets and carrying them to the truck where another group of men took them out of the baskets one at a time, piling them up - bottom alternating with the heads in a quick, steady rhythm. One-two. One-two. One-two.

One of the titos we were with bought us half a basket. P7 for each pineapple. And P5 for the butterball. Butterballs are supposedly rejects -- because they are tiny, dwarfed in size -- considered underdeveloped. But Jay says butterballs are sweeter. They still get sold in the market just the same. I was hoping to have a taste of the butterball but it seems like the Tito did not want us to take home rejects (but I love rejects!!!).
We had enough for ourselves and still enough to give away to the full-time workers at the office. The next few days, we enjoyed sweet pineapple for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Added fiber to our daily diet plus all that Vitamin C and Phytothingamajigs promised by the Del Monte man.
That's a lot of bonuses from going around visiting GK villages. It is true that the best things in life are free (well, specially when you're with GK). ;)
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