Food glorious food!

We haven't been able to get online for a while, but we are now somewhere with internet and are posting all the blogs we have been writing along the way.

Two weeks into our African adventure and we are noticing a recurring theme – that the host Rotarians are very keen for us to try their traditional foods, and plenty of it! Here is a small taste of whats been on the menu so far.

We have tried a variety of meats, from antelope to crocodile, a Zambian speciality of chicken’s feet (quite chewy/bony), caterpillars (v crunchy) and home made sausages (spicy). A particular treat was cow hooves, but not all of the GSE team were brave enough to try that one. The Zambian way is to eat with your hands, and this takes a little getting used to – its like doing the opposite of what you were always told as a kid: ‘don’t play with your food.’ But to eat the traditional nchima, you take some and then roll it in your hands before dipping it into the vegetabes and gravy. Quite messy at first but it's an enjoyable way to eat, feeling much more connected to your meal and it allows you to take some time over eating it.

Another wonderful tradition is the braai. We have been to several already, each one a little different but lots of fun and delicious food. There is something special about cooking and eating outside, good food, good company and good beer too! Many of our hosts grow their own vegetables or keep chickens and this has meant lots of very tasty homegrown dishes.

It's been great staying with host families and eating meals with them, we are certainly learning a lot and eating a lot too!