EdUKaid

Reading back at Kennet’s entries, I can see that as time passes the little things that are peculiar here in Mikindani can seem more and more the norm and therefore blog entries harder and harder to make interesting. However, since I am a newcomer here (only one month has passed…) I can say that I am still shocked by the way life is lead down here. One aspect that is quite intriguing: DIET! One would think, as one of our humble house mates put it, “that when you cross into Africa you automatically turn into skin and bones…naturally!” – but this is not exactly what happens. As we all know now, it is quite the opposite. Our meager monk diet at the infamous Mottisfont includes carbohydrates, carbohydrates, and more carbohydrates sprinkled with veggies on top. Protein is not on the menu. Therefore we have to try very very hard to integrate this important component and luckily we have a few sources (I feel like a drug dealer negotiating a deal saying that). My favourite (not because she is my fellow countrymen) is Mama Futoba. She is the provider of minced beef, yes MINCED; a rarity here, in case you hadn’t quite caught the drift. She will provide beef, sausages, cheap blocks of cheese, and chocolates with elephant wrapping: all the things your little monk heart desires. However, the difficulty is spotting her shack near Shangani where she is reported to reside.

Another rarity is PORK! Yes, we live in a Muslim area thus this banished piglet is even harder to come by. However, we have information that a man named Moses handles this taboo animal in the distant lands of Mtwara. We did have an opportunity (or curse, for me who had to wash the refrigerator!) to tip into this delicacy. Photos on their way (pending internet connection!).

Also, this month being such an extravagant one, Tim had spotted a dead shark along the coast. At this time I was at my homestay and was literally scared to death when I saw this beast lying on the side of beach being adorned by all around. Luckily or unluckily, depending on one’s perspective, I didn’t get to test whether the shark tasted “just like chicken” or not because I was busy eating wali and ugali at my homestay.

My definite least favourite from the meat-family here would be the goat. Courtesy ala Tim (again) was the recent goat curry that had more cardomon seeds to choke on than goat and the chewy substance itself was not overly appealing either. Also, the fact that the poor thing was killed earlier that morning and news of it still being warm before cooking gave an aura of admiration for all vegetarians.

The big “shebang” would be the last two weeks specials on the menu: (all including Mama’s minced beef) Tacos and Lasagne! Yes, can you believe it?! So living in rural Africa is not so bad for us EdUKaiders after all…