The weather Sunday afternoon was beautiful: sunny and breezy. The downtown area by Sims Park was very busy. People walked at the park and along the street. Across from Sims Park is the M.O.M’s Friday Night (http://momsfridaynightmarket.com), a small shaded area where local vendors sell their wares. There were booths with jellies and jams, honey, fabric and wood arts, candles, and plants and vegetables. There was even live music. I stopped to buy some tomatoes and was asked if I would like to try coconut water. Next to the vegetable stand was a small trailer full of raw coconuts. The vendor cuts them so you can drink the water from the coconuts.

I found this to be very fun. It reminded me of being on a primitive island and having to survive off the local resources. The vendor’s name is Armando or the “Coco Man.” He was really friendly and informative. I know more about the benefits of coconuts now. They grow in Florida south of Fort Myers. He picks them himself the old fashion way. He climbs up the tree and needs a friend waiting for him at the bottom as he lowers the coconuts to him. If he let them fall to the ground they would break. At the market he has the coconuts kept cool in a large bucket of cool water. He takes one out and cuts off the bottom for a flat resting surface then he cuts the top off and sticks in a straw.

I have never had coconut water of any kind, I thought it would be creamy. It tastes pretty much like water with a mild sweetness and coconut flavor. When you are done drinking the water Armando will cut it in half so you can eat the meat. He cuts a sliver of the outside and fashions it as your spoon. The meat of the coconut was mild and soft in texture. It was quite exciting to eat a coconut for the first time in its most basic form, and fresh from Florida! I also have to say that the experience would not have been as much fun without Armando’s friendly dialogue!

The M.O.M.’s Friday Night is on Friday evenings and Sundays 10-3 PM.

By Amber Blais