Young Coconut Juice from India

Speaking of coconuts...

I had a double take when this guy started climbing the coconut tree like it was nothing. It probably took him 30 seconds to get to the top. And he cut down some young coconut with a machete and then climbed down from the tree. The whole transaction probably took 3 minutes. Wow! I thought I was good at climbing trees, but this guy put me to shame.
I was introduced to the wonder of the young coconut juice in India. A slightly sweet clear liquid packed with nutrients and electrolytes did the trick for me on hot afternoons between yoga sessions.
pictured: myself and my yoga peeps enjoying a young coconut

Wishing I could go back to that life right now.

Making rope out of coconut fiber in India

I was continuously impressed by the resourcefulness of the Indian people. They don't let anything go to waste, including discarded coconut shells. If you let them dry out in the sun they make a fibers like this.

Then they loosen the fiber up and get it prepped for the spinning wheel. A women skillfully feeds the fibers into the wheel which then made some very strong and useful rope. I saw this type of rope being used everywhere including holding many of their structures together.

Now I wonder if there is anything laying around in my yard that I could make rope out of?