Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Khudarji Report 18: 3/10/09

Qashta (custard apple) has arrived; larger fruit is at 10,000 LL/kilo; smaller ones at 8,000 LL.

A customer is asked if she wants Somalian bananas, she replies: "Of course not--who eats Somalian bananas?" As if on cue, a fancy car pulls up and the driver comes in, asking how much the Somalian bananas are.

The baladi bananas are similar to the fresh dates in the shop: They do not go rotten as much as preserve themselves in their own sugar.

Words used to describe produce by those with fancy cars: Deluxe, Extra, Special (French pronunciation).

Words used to describe produce by those without fancy cars: Fresh, Tazza, bil-yom, nZif (clean).

A shop worker corrects someone who complains that the pomegranates do not look "clean": "No matter how they look on the outside, they are fine. They can last many months, look terrible and dried up, and still be fine."

The Khudarji Report, by Zayd, reflects conditions unique to a neighborhood in central Beirut; the status at your local mahal al-khudra will most likely vary.


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