Where I Am From - pt 3 - latex

Because we live here,  I take for granted and often forget all the neat things that surround us. To us, its just life but to visitors that come here,  they think we live in the jungle. However much of the jungle that used to be around our house (before we came) is gone now. Sure it is still jungle-like, but from what we hear, it's nothing like it used to be.  

Across from our house, outside our gate is this stand of trees. Rubber trees to be exact. This is the view in front of our yard & house. These are rubber trees. There are thousands of these trees around us.  

 Miriam is standing next to a rubber tree that is tapped.  They put slits/cuts in the tree which makes the rubber sap inside trickle out. Sorry, I am not the agriculturist, just an observer, and the agriculturist is out of town. :)  See the cup attached to the tree. They use old water bottles, coconut shells, and other items to catch the liquid.

And here is the liquid latex being gathered up.... the liquid on top is actually rainwater but the liquid gunk (yes I know my scientific terminology is killing some of you!) in the bottom of the old water bottle is the rubber/latex.

Pretty cool eh? There is your science lesson for today. Now, go google it to get the in-depth information, correct terminology, and so on.  :)