Opuwo bread does not have preservatives. What does this mean? Day one…this is the best bread you’ve ever had, it’s warm, soft and tasty. Day two…still pretty darn good. Day three…marginally edible. Day four…didn’t I buy bread because this has a slight taste of terrible and dry. Day five…I have created a science experiment. Day six…I think I have something living in my kitchen that comes out only at night. Day seven…this is a scary day indeed that will not be talked about…please avoid if possible.
Kunene Camping Trip – Day 1
I’m a little late on getting to this but thought I’d tell you a little to go along with the videos.
Day One
It’s Friday and we head off around noon to go have a weekend of camping. I’m joined with Penny and Jesse, two other vols, and we’re going south. I really actually have no idea where we’re going, but it’s always great to get out and see more of Namibia. I also quickly find out that we aren’t coming back to Opuwo until Monday and here I haven’t told my boss…I hope he forgives my afterthought.
I hop myself in the backseat and prepare for the open expanses of road that Namibia is so fond of. I play some music for the women and they quickly find my music to be too awesome so I put my headphones in and spend the rest of the trip with my music and thoughts. I catch numerous naps in there as well.
I wake up and we’re at the campsite. I know that we’re by the west gate of Etosha, but other than that I have put myself at the mercy of others. Looks like a cool place, lots of big rocks, hills and nice white trees. We plop ourselves down at designated campsite 4errrr…that one is taken….campsite 5, set up camp and are quickly overtaken by the mini-special forces-flies. I have not been attacked like this in a while. The women retreat to the tent while I start on the wine and try not to think about the bugs. I am not very good at detaching mind from body so my next course of action is to shower and get rid of all unnatural smells…this kind of helps. My next plan is to hike and keep moving as a moving target is much harder to hit. Even better, but now I’m sweating and the bugs love any liquid. Once realizing that there is no way to win the sun starts to set and the bugs retreat.
I have a few questions. We’re in the middle of presumably nowhere and within 5 seconds we are attacked by flies. How does this happen? What/who do these flies annoy when no one is around?
Next I start making dinner, we’re doing a chicken braii with some sweet potatoes, onions and cherry tomatoes. This is about 6pm. Fire is good to go, sun sets, food is placed on the fire. 6:30pm it’s dark. Our camping neighbors, family of 5, are already in bed…What? I keep running this through my head over and over but can’t seem to make sense of it. You come all the way to Namibia for car top camping and you go to bed at 6:30pm? We think maybe they’re getting up early…nope. Maybe they are jetlagged…nope…from Europe so it’s the same time zone. Anyone have any ideas out there?
Dinner was good, wine was good, no bugs was good, marshmallows were good…nap time. Day 2 coming up and again, I really had no idea where we were going.
Breakfast of Champions
Flutie, you’re out! This is truly what is worth your morning delight! No worries…I’ve already patented the intricate process of cheese on egg on bread and even the pattern has been copyrighted. We open for business upon return to Opuwo.
It’s Skyline Time
A certain someone was awesome enough to bring the good stuff with her. Now, I won’t name names, but thanks to this little bitty tonight’s dinner was definitely within the top 3. If only she had brought more than one can…only kidding. Skyline has definitely gone global this time.
Corn on the Cizzzzob
That’s right. Corn on the cob in the desert. Yesterday we found the store stocked full of goodness that included, corn, sugar peas, strawberries, guava, leeks, spinach and other fine dining items. It was a little slice of heaven.
I’m a Farmer
Shannon and I were hanging out on the porch this afternoon and we discovered something miraculous. A tomato plant was growing near one of my trees. I’m not sure how it is still alive, but we quickly dug that bad boy up and put it in an old water container. Fresh tomatoes for everyone!
Dodgy Food Version 2.0
It appears that my love of food has gotten the best of me…again. I mean, who could resist a chicken, salami, cheese and mayonnaise sandwich? This guy certainly couldn’t. Sure, the salami smelled a bit like feet, but being only a week or so old it seemed perfectly natural. Long story short…I nearly passed out in the grocery store last night due to my nausea, light-headedness and the smells coming from the local Himba people. The rest of the evening passed as one would expect tossed in with a little ‘Hell Boy’ for comedic relief.
Where was Shannon in all of this? Shannon was taking a nice day off at the lodge so she missed out on the deliciously devious lunch. She helped during my times of pain, but was mortified by the sights, sounds and smells. Too much information? You betcha!
Travels: June 26th – C-food Platter for Two
The evening of June 26th found Shannon and myself in the lovely lodgings of Swakop Lodge. We decided to dine in that evening and treat ourselves to a bit of seafood. My heart was set on the c-food platter as was Shannon’s. C-food platter for two please.
Out came two giant plates of food, the likes of which I had never seen before. Crawfish, giant prawns, muscles, calamari, fish and lemons abound. All we could do was laugh. I believe this was the first time I have ever been demoralized merely by the sight of a plate of food. I felt like John Candy in the Great Outdoors staring down the old 96er. Do we get a free t-shirt if we finish? The claimed 3 types of sauces turned into 2…i was sad…the garlic butter made up for it.
As we sat there, struggling satisfyingly throughout the meal our waitress appeared. She informed us that she had made a mistake and that she had given us two c-food platters for two. Now it was all so clear and we felt better about our eating abilities. This did not however alleviate the sneers from neighboring tables.
Due to HER mistake, I wanted to clarify that we would not be paying for the second platter. She said and I quote, ‘well…you did touch it.’ Whaaaaaa??? Using learned negotiation techniques such as just saying no repeatedly, we did not have to pay for the extra food. They took it away and I believe gave it to another unsuspecting table.
I’d order the c-food platter for two again.
Note: the pictured meal was not the actual c-food platter for two. Picture this times two.
Travels: June 26th – Lunch
Indian Food for Lunch at Taal. Sure, this may seem like a pointless post, but I love food and so should you. Besides, it was Shannon’s first time at an Indian restaurant.
Bumble Bee
Tuna that is. Prime Fillet Albacore Steak…Ginger & Soy to be exact. Already Cooked! Just Heat & Serve! I may have stumbled upon the greatest camp food ever…or no kitchen in Opuwo, Namibia food…however you want to look at it. I look forward to trying the Lemon & Cracked Pepper and Mesquite Grilled…I’ll let you know. Please send more immediately…are you still sitting there? Thank you.
McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Ice Cubes
I have not yet seen a McDonald’s in Nairobi. I can’t say that I’m sad, but I can say that I’m surprised…Especially with how much meat they eat here.
Coke…they don’t use corn syrup here so it’s got a different taste, but it is better.
Ice cubes…I can’t wait to get my fridge with an ice box…can’t wait.
Black Beans and Rice
Anyone know how to effectively cook black beans? I soaked them for 10 minutes but it still took 40 minutes to cook me some black beans yesterday…and when I say cooked, I mean barely done and just edible.
Lunchtime Experience…possible quality toilet time
We decided to try something different for lunch today…no gas station food. We went down the road to a place that serves roasted meat. They have a list of 4 different cuts of beef to choose from and you get it by the kilo. The actual cow is sitting behind some glass. They grab a huge hunk of meat, butcher it, weigh it and carry by hand to a grill outside. Mark (another volunteer) and I let my colleague Carol order for us. We wait for about 45 minutes and we get a large cutting board of meat that a guy cuts up for us right there…dirty hands and all. We get a plate full of cooked cabbage and some ugali. Tons of fat and tendons with very little meat. The cabbage is suspect due to how long and hot they cooked it. The ugali is ugali so it’s plain and hopefully harmless. So as far as the meal was…about a 3 or so. Regardless, it was certainly an experience that I hope to not be reliving over the next couple of days.