I guess I thought this week would somehow be easier. I thought that since I had been to Kenya before I wouldn't have the culture shock that I am now experiencing. Living here is different than just being here. My struggles aren't enormous, but they still seem to overwhelm me. Is it due to jet lag or am I just unable to handle the pressures of a new country? I guess I will soon find out the answer to my own question. For now I'm left with the big struggle of not knowing what to cook, everyday I whip up an new concoction and call it dinner and everyday my experiments are rejected by those I live with. I did, however, make pancakes, and they proved hugely successful, but one cannot live on white flour alone, although my kids beg to differ. I don't blame them, I myself, am trying to devise a pancake diet that would give us all of the nutrients we need, but so far I have been unsuccessful.
I talk of food, because in my world, it's where I derive a great deal of comfort. Not only do I like to eat, I like those around me to eat as well. I know I can make a meal, and on a hard day it can nurse a weary spirit. Right or wrong it is one of the things that I have learned to do, and Africa has taken that away from me, at least for now. Not only is the culture different the food is strange and the cook (myself) is not creative. So I will continue to go to the store, look for food that looks somewhat familiar and pretend to know how to cook it.
My first week here and I'm dealing with my own food issues, how sad is that! Among a people who are looking for food in garbage piles, I sit and worry about what I will fix for dinner. I have a lot to learn from this confusing country I now call home.
4 comments:
Well JulieAs usual your wrting always amazes me and makes me giggle beyond belief. I am glad to hear you are all doing well But I am a little concerned about the food situation. Now we all know that man cannot live on bread alone BUT I have to agree with the kiddos about the white flour thing. As time goes by Julie you can use your creative mind(since we all know you have one) and you will be whipping up some gormet Kisumu food. So keep all of your recipes as you go. Mabey there will be a recipe exchange when you come home!!!!!!! We love and miss you all very much
Love, Heather
Hey Julie! I'm glad to see you wrote in your blog...I'll probably check it nearly everyday hoping for news from Kenya! I'm going to live vicariously through you...just so you know. A few ideas I personally have for you on food....go to the bread section of Nakumatt and they have some really great pizza crust things...the guy in the bread section is a personal friend of mine, so tell him hello for me. =) They also have pizza sauce in the sauces aisle and then of course cheeze and toppings...i always use the ham, but mike and karen put other random things on their pizzas. =) Also, the ham and cheese aren't bad there, if all else fails sandwhices for all! I've never tried the pasta there, but I think Karen and Dianne use it for spaghetti. And my favorite choice of all, just go to Mon Ami!!!! =) Love you...say hey to the kids for me (your kids) and the boys at Agape too if you see em!
Julie,
Okay, I wrote you this long comment and realized I needed to sign in before I sent it. So, I got a user name and then came back and my note was gone. SUCKAROO! Anyway, I was saying that I would give you some cooking advice. I know that I don't exactly know what is there, but Israel's cousin said that she use to always make fried rice. I know that sounds like a weird dinner, but she said that she would get creative with it. I know that she would make the basic with ham, eggs and peas in it but also change it up with creativity. I am going to give you some creativity today. So,I found a recipe that you can try. (Delicious Fried Brown Rice) I am sure you can use any kind of rice you want. 1.5c Rice, 2c hamburger, 2c pizza sauce, 2qts. water, 1 onion, salt and pepper to taste.
Cook rice in water for 40 min. or until tender. Fry onion and hamburger together, the add the pizza sauce. Stir in cooked rice and salt and pepper to taste.
Try it out and let me know. I will continue to look for recipes for you. I love you...Beck
Julie, South America was home for 21 years and rodents, not bats were our constant concern. After watching one crawl over the fireplace screen in our bedroom in the middle of a less threatening nightmare, I became an urgent stalker and cornered it in our pantry/utility room. Bullets make holes in bricks and wood trim and that is not good. I had a small rifle that shot .22 cartridges. I extracted the lead bullets and filled the powder casing with hot glue and trimmed off the excess with a razor blade. Waiting with rifle ready was the patient part of the extermination process. It worked! The hot glue was very forgiving to the brickwork and trim molding, but not so to the rat. Have a plastic bag ready...very professional!
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