Kenya

Food, Kenya

In search of fresh dates this weekend I went to Eastleigh, Nairobi’s prominently-Somali suburb. I had bought dates before in Nairobi supermarkets, but they’re both expensive and processed; I wanted the real deal, straight from the tree, man! The last month or two I’ve been going every other week or so to replenish my supplies. One kilogram costs 180 – 200 shillings (about $2.50) and it’s totally worth it. I also had some camel stew. When in Rome, right?

I have also discovered sweet potatoes. I never liked them when I was in the USA, I dunno why. I have learned that they’re pretty good here when you mix them with githeri (maize and beans). What I like is that I don’t have to add ANYTHING other than a few tea spoons of oil. No spices. No salt. I just boil the maize and beans in water for an hour or so, then peel, boil, and mash the sweet potatoes and then fry it all together with some oil. Natural goodness! Now all I have to do is start eating raw, uncooked vegetables.

Yes, I will cook authentic Kenyan food for you when I return to the USA.

Animals, Kenya

By now most of you know that I run a small animal shelter out of my house here in Kenya (I guess I am following in my friend Marg’s footsteps). I made a fun little discovery in my house last night. “Fun” being that it was a scorpion. “Little” being that it was hardly an inch long. My camera is completely worthless these days so all I have is this terrible picture. I poked him and he definitely tried to sting my toothbrush with his tail. Who knows what other tiny monsters are lurking around my house… ahhh!!!

Kenya, Rants

I was in Nairobi this weekend and some friends and I happened to stop by Carnivore for “Rock Night.” I had never been to Carnivore before, and all I had heard about it was that they serve crazy meat like giraffe, alligator, rhino, and who knows what else. I guess “game meat” is the proper term, maybe someone can enlighten me. I’m still not sure about the meat part because we were their for the dancing. Who knew it was a restaurant by day and a club by night!

Because it was “Rock Night” I put on the only “rock” shirt I have, a Ramones shirt I had just randomly found earlier that day for 150 shillings ($2). Most of you know that my taste in music is a bit extreme, so what may seem like “rock” to the average Kenyan sounds like a lullaby to me. The music on the dance floor was about 50% rock and then some crunk rap and even some trance house music. The place was packed and the crowd was lively so dancing was a lot of fun. I was surprised when I found that a local coffee chain has a little kiosk near the bar because, of course, my drink of choice is not alcohol or soda!
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