So I was invited to join a few people to go out for an authentic Liberian dinner last night. Naturally, I opted for the opportunity to walk out of the port and walk into the culture here. We snagged four delicious donuts outside the UN checkpoint for thirty five cents. Donuts in hand (wrapped in newspaper, in a plastic baggie) we crossed the road and walked into the neighborhood. We stepped into the first restaurant on the left. It displayed a promising sign that ‘food is ready now’. This is important because the last two times I’ve ordered food, it has taken an hour to come out.
Six of us shared two plates of regular rice, a plate of spicy rice, a bowl of fish soup, and a bowl of cassava with fish in it. The first few bites took a little bit of getting used to. I don’t know if it was the superior strength of the spices, or that it was just plain different. But after this, it was delicious. The cassava that they make here is really good!
It was good to know that my dinner came from this community. (Note that I didn’t say comforting, but good.) The fish likely came from just down the street earlier in the day. They are displayed in the sunlight in the open air market. The spices and vegetables are the same. If anything, the rice would have come from outside this community because some 90% of it is imported.
My experience in eating food with others, is that it brings you together. This time was no different. Our group came together. Also, it was a good way to connect with the common way of life here. The only thing that I am worried about is my stomach coming together with the little foreign microbes that live in the water here. If something is cooked or boiled, or freshly pealed it should be fine. I did not drink the clear water that was presented to me even though I forgot my water bottle. However I did a no-no and ate the little pieces of tomato that were laced through the spicy rice. (They were so good.) A day later, my digestive system is still fully in tact. May this continue. At the end of the meal, we each contributed a single dollar to collectively pay for our food and to leave a generous tip. It was a successful outing. May there be many more impromptu dinner outings in our community here.
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2 comments:
Wow! We're thoroughly enjoying your blog updates! How interesting!
As you know, we're your biggest soccer fans and we HATE to miss a game so we're especially disappointed to have missed your Liberia games. Sounds like they were fun and challenging. Wish we could have been there!
I've been wondering if your stomach has reacted to different food. Glad that all is well so far.
We're planning to go to the Farmers Mkt. tomorrow and hopefully buy strawberries.
Keep Julia in your thoughts as she plays in the soccer regionals tonight. How exciting!
All is well. We're looking forward to a quiet weekend. Hope things are going well for you, too. We miss and love ya!....Mom
Hi Scott, I arrived home toight at 10 pm to hear that Julia's team won their game! That was the regional finals. Isn't that exciting? Now it's on to states for them. Beth and Adam are on their way to Paris for two weeks. Should be over the ocean about now. Enjoyed hearing about your meal. Not sure I could have eaten it. Next weekend the Sletten's will be here as well as your mom and dad and brother. I'm looking forward to seeing all of them. Well miss you, but you will be in our thoughts-especially as we roast marshmallows and make somores. Yummmmm. Love you, Aunt Barb
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